How Nonprofits Can Benefit From Innovation Software
Nonprofits sometimes think that innovation is not for them: it’s too cutting-edge, too complicated, or too expensive.
Source: www.business2community.com
How is your nonprofit exploring new platforms? What leading-edge technology could you borrow from the for profit world to improve your programs and funding?
New 1023-EZ Form Makes Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status Easier; Most Charities Qualify
Source: www.irs.gov
I predict that this will allow for an explosion of new nonprofits in the US – on top of the explosion we’ve already experienced in the last 8 years. Whether or not you are already a 501(c)(3), there will be challenges ahead as the sea of voices working for the greater good grows even larger.
How will you be able to define your value and attract enough financing? How will you be able to demonstrate your integrity, effectiveness and impact?
The Powerful Art of Conversation in fundraising (part 1)
Full, Active, Conscious Participation – (prelude to The Changing Landscape of Philanthropy)
Julian Treasure at TED – talking so people will listen
As those responsible for promoting non-profits, we are in the business of speaking so that others will actually listen and then act. Too often, however, we experience just the opposite of our goal. Our voices are just another noisy bit in the cacophony of fundraising “pitches” that leave a prospect donor (partner) disengaged, disnterested and distracted. This TED talk by Julian Treasure identifies how we can adopt new habits in our speaking that leads to people who really want to give. This is an area of personal communication that I suggest we all work on. (watch it on YouTube here…)
I am a church musician and a member of the Liturgy Committee at my local parish. The goal of all that we plan and execute is this: full, active and conscious participation by all those present. In order to inspire people to meaningful action, we need to give them an opportunity to be part of the drama, part of the mission. Have you ever been in church (or a fundraising event) where everything seems to be just a big lead-up to the offertory? How did that make you feel?
Now think about the times when you were so inspired and energized by someone’s spoken word that you felt part of the story yourself. How did you feel? What did the speaker do to excite those feelings? What did you want to do as a result?
Practical application of Julian Treasure’s TED Talk in the world of philanthropy and fundraising:
We are hosting The Changing Landscape of Philanthropy – an event August 1st in Columbus, Ohio to work on these techniques and other ways you can build a community of active, engaged supporters . . . it is one event in a series of experiences where you can develop skills and methods to build a collaborative network of partners to grow your nonprofit rapidly and have greater impact.
For example, Joel Kessel of Kessel Communications is presenting on “Cashing In on Media Awareness”. It is a 25,000-foot overview of getting in the media and telling your story so people will listen.
Sign up at Eventbrite: http://tinyurl.com/qhhca4s
Check out Julian Treasure’s other TED Talks on LISTENING – – they’re wonderful. Then, join an Unleashed Abundance Cohort with other fundraisers to identify and reinforce the good habits of successful fundraising that you truly want to achieve.
Nominate Your Favorite Resource-full Nonprofit
Are you involved with a nonprofit that is collaborative? Does your look at donors as something beyond an ATM?
Would you qualify as a resourceful and collaborative philanthropic venture?
**If yes – way to go! What is keeping you from experiencing even greater success?
***If not – – Let’s talk!
With near-limitless demand and finite resources, nonprofits have to be inventive and nimble every day to fill the gap and carry out their missions. Now, Eide Bailly is offering you the chance to help recognize those doing the best at undertaking sustainable, creative, and impactful revenue generation initiatives.
Eide Bailly’s Resourcefullness Award will be presented in Minnesota and three other states, with a grand prize winner, runner-up and honorable mention all receiving recognition and an award. Submissions will be evaluated on these criteria:
- Sustainability: How reliable is the initiative in generating continuous revenue for the organization?
- Creativity: How unique, inventive or clever is this initiative in the non-profit industry?
- Implementation: How well was this initiative executed?
- Impact: How great was the financial impact of the initiative?
- Overall Impression: What is your overall impression of this organization’s initiative?
Last year’s grand prize winner in Minnesota was Mankato Symphony Orchestra
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Question to nonprofits: Who do you think you are? | Northwest Opinion Columns | The Bellingham Herald
Eating a bratwurst at Boston Harbor last Friday I was greeted warmly by the marina manager. It was my first visit this year to the marina’s weekly summer “beer-b-ques” – gatherings on the dock where folks eat well, taste local brews and socialize. Families with kids and dogs mix with both old timers and young people working at their summer jobs on the water. I spent many Friday nights there last summer eating grilled salmon, watching the sunset and chatting. It’s a place that does what it does really well.
Source: www.bellinghamherald.com
Have you really considered who you are? What is your OPUS? Are you part of one of those nonprofits who “insist on their relevance but don’t consider it”? How does this lack of consideration, focus and clarity affect your organization’s ability to fundraise, steward and find new resources? Contact me to learn more on a discernment journey that takes you from clarity to income. Join us August 1st with others who are ready to launch rapid growth through collaborative philanthropy.
Tickets at Eventbrite: The Changing Landscape of Philanthropy
Beyond Money: A Look at Giving: Please Stop using the phrase “Giving Back!”
Source: intentionalsolutions.blogspot.co.uk
I even avoid the softer phrase “pay it forward”. These expressions imply obligation . . . Philanthropy is about DEDICATION not obligation. Dedication to building something new that makes the world, or a corner of it, much better. I know a lot of philanthropists who set up scholarships b/c they never had the opportunity to go to college. They want to create something that didn’t exist for them. These people are generous, bold visionaries who give without the burden of obligation but with the joy of dedication.
Giving To Your Church Doesn’t Count: Jon Huntsman Sr. And Twitter’s Biz Stone On New Philanthropy
John Huntsman Sr. has given away about $1.5 billion to worthy causes – about 80% of his total wealth. He is also spending $200 million building Huntsman Springs, a golf resort and nature reserve in Idaho that will donate all proceeds of real estate sold to his family’s charitable foundation. But […]
Source: www.forbes.com
I especially like Biz Stone’s attitude – don’t wait until you’re old and comfortable .. . . philanthropy starts right now. Both he and Huntsman talk about the “compound effect” of giving what you can right now, and the next time, and the next time . . ..before long, the impact is enormous. It’s like bonsai – begin with what you have, work on it every day, and you’ll never be finished.
Heirs And Charities Await $59 Trillion
Despite the Great Recession, it looks like the golden age of philanthropy is upon us.
Source: www.forbes.com
Note again that DAFs (lifetime gift planning vehicle) are on the rise. It allows the middle market philanthropist to leverage his / her charitable giving and provides an opportunity to plan philanthropy on purpose, with purpose. But it also is a vehicle to take a tax deduction now and delay the charitable decision in definitely. How do you, as an advisor or fundraiser, help these people to discern their philanthropic plan to make prudent and timely social investment decisions?
A New Case for Mergers and Acquisitions
Capital may be the most important element of your future mergers and acquisitions deals.
There is a lot of discussion right now about the “oversaturation” of similar nonprofits . . . especially where there are a several local nonprofits that seem to address the same constituency with the same services. This piece from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University addresses for-profit mergers in the middle market. It has good insight for nonprofits as well regarding Collaborative Philanthropy and Financing of nonprofits – – – when to merge? when to close? when to partner? partner with whom?
See on www.middlemarketcenter.org
Can Big Name Philanthropists Save The Big Cats?
See on Scoop.it – philanthropy
A new global alliance to save the big cats brings together philanthropists in China, India, the UAE and the U.S.
These are Big Cats saving . . . well. . . . big cats. Great example of collaborative philanthropy. But guess what, YOU can duplicate this model. It doesn’t take uber-high-capacity donors to make a collaboration. Contact me for a discussion on the new face of active philanthropy for all, and how your nonprofit can engage and find resources in a whole new way.
See on www.forbes.com
Unleashed Abundance 