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Making Good Work Online Radio by PhilanthropyPlus | Blog Talk Radio
Making Good Work Online Radio by PhilanthropyPlus | Blog Talk Radio.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 2pm Eastern Time (USA) –LISTEN NOW TO THE ARCHIVED EPISODE
The next episode is titled: Thriving in Times Like These , with our guest Barbara Brown of Cristo Rey Columbus. You will want to tune in to learn how this successful “philanthropic entrepreneur” was able to persuade people to support a high school for under-served youth that had not even been built yet . . . Hear about her methods of successful fundraising – I’m sure you will find Barbara to be engaging and enlightening.
Time Well Spent
Americans always know what time it is, but they never seem to have any . . .
– Anonymous European
When I host online Mastermind sessions, I ask two questions:
1) What do you want most for yourself or your organization?
2) What are the primary obstacles keeping you from reaching that desire?
The answers to #1 are inspiring, visionary and noble – and every one distinctly unique. The answers to #2 are almost always the same: Not enough time and not enough money.
Regarding TIME – every day has 24 hours – we all have all there is. It is not a lack of time that is the obstacle; rather, it is how we are choosing to use that time.
Regarding MONEY – when you spend your time wisely and strategically (as related to your purpose), the means for accomplishing any aspiration will develop.
Consider these common uses of time and money:
| Activity | Your $$ | Your Time/Year | Your Time/Week | |
| MBA – online from a highly respected University | $89,000 over 2 years | 500+ hours | 10+ hours | |
| Hiring a non-profit organizational and fundraising consultant | $50,000 per year | 100+ hours | 2 hours | |
| Attending seminars and executive coaching sessions | $4,000 per year | 180 + hours | 3.5 hours | |
| Entertainment- Cable TV
– Movies – Concerts – _________
|
$ _________
per year |
__________ hours
|
__________ hours
|
In our Mastermind Groups for Non-profits, we help each other to maximize TIME to raise more MONEY. While working on an advanced degree, engaging in continuing education and working one-on-one with a coach are edifying pursuits; consider the amount of time and money spent in relation to what those activities can do to help achieve real success. With Mastermind groups and accountability partners, we have an on-going system for personal and organizational improvement at much lower costs – both in time and money.
Mastermind Groups are a proven method of time management: learning how to do more in less time and with less effort . . . In addition, the Mastermind Groups for Non-Profits add a specific education element focused on the most effective fundraising methods.
If you are ready to take action and remove the obstacle of “tempus fugit”, then join us for a sample Mastermind Session . . . Click on the MASTERMIND tab for more information.
Make a powerful difference
Consider these questions:
What do you really want to accomplish for yourself and your organization? What are the current challenges preventing you from realizing that vision?
Many of you reading this blog are either on staff at a non-profit or are active in promoting a philanthropic organization as a volunteer or board member. Despite that, these questions can be challenging. You are busy doing good work – but are you and your colleagues as effective as you could be? Are you engaged in frenetic activity or purposeful, planned action?
What are your board meetings and committee meetings like? Compare the percentage of time you talk about doing something and the time you spend actually doing it . . . Are you making the wisest choices for the future of your organization and those you serve?
If you continue on the path you are currently on – will you accomplish your highest aspirations?
By joining a Mastermind group, you can commit a small portion of your schedule each week to dramatic improvement in your situation. Take a look at the MASTERMIND page of this blog for more information. The next introductory web call is Monday, July 18, 2011 at 7pm Eastern Time/USA. Please make plans to join us.
We welcome all those desiring to explore new growth in themselves and their organizations –
regardless of the economy!
Use Business Cards to Promote your Organization
10 powerful ways to use your business cards
By Beth Davis, Founder/CEO of Gold Star Referral Clubs
While this was written for small businesses, it is applicable to your non-profit work as well. . . . LAM
- Never leave home without them: Keep a supply handy at home so that you can restock your wallet/purse every day when you leave.
- Give and Receive: The best way to get someone to want your business card is to ask for theirs.
- Insert a card into all your mail: Starting today, don’t ever seal an envelope without your card in it, even your bills. The person that opens the envelope might know your next best client.
- Be generous: Business cards are the best value for your advertising dollar. Be able to give someone as many as they ask for. Always offer 2 – 1 for the person and 1 for them to pass along.
- Be ready at every occasion and any occasion: You can never predict when it’s a good time to give a business card. Buffet line, gas station, birthday party . . .
- Ask for a referral: You will be surprised at how well people will respond to, “Here are two of my cards. I would appreciate a referral and would welcome a call from you or family or anyone you know you may need a ____”
- Visit trade show: Ask for business cards from the show vendors, give yours in return. Read some of their card out loud and ask them about what they do. Make a friend. Then follow-up.
- Make it a coupon: Hand-write a special offer or a discount for your service or product on the back of your card. Initial it. Invite them to visit your business.
- Attach a small gift to your card: Attach a mint, a specialty cookie or other small (but useful or tasty) promotional item.
- Brand yourself: add your tag line, hook or quote
BONUS CHALLENGE from Laura Anne Miller:
Hand out 50 business cards per day: the owner of a local termite inspection/pest control company does this. In the morning, his wife hands him 50 cards, and he is under orders to return home with NONE. He uses the above techniques and takes every opportunity to give people his cards. He came to town knowing no one, and in a few short years became the leader of a thriving and wildly successful business. Every real estate agent in town knows him and most use his services . . . Think of creative ways you could accomplish this challenge goal!
This, of course, means that you have to get out from behind your desk every single day and go promote your organization. You cannot spend all your time perfecting the website, writing mass mailings and planning the next “event”. Use your imagination and think like a salesman. Call me to discuss – 614.915.4324 – Laura Anne Miller
Raise significant funds in 2011 – and BEYOND
Use the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution in a special way – you don’t have to sacrifice current donations to build a long-term planned giving progam for your organization!
Take a look at this presentation on Slideshare.net – then contact Laura for more information.
Confidence & Optimism at All-Time Low
I saw this on MSN.com today – from an NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll:
. . . 61 % say the United States is headed in the wrong direction; 65 % believe the nation is in a state of decline; and 66 % say they’re not confident that life for their children’s generation will be better than it is now.
In addition, Americans are deeply pessimistic about the state of the economy. Only 26 % think the economy will improve in the next 12 months (which is down 14 points from the previous poll), and just 26 % believe their wages will increase in the next year.
Confidence in key U.S. institutions is also incredibly low: 18 % have confidence in the federal government; 13 % have confidence in the news media; 12 % have confidence in large corporations; 10 % have confidence in the financial industry; and only 9 % have confidence in Congress. The numbers for the media and Congress are the lowest for those institutions in the entire history of the poll.
What are the implications for philanthropy?
If you are a non-profit, what does this poll tell you? What do you have to do differently? What does it mean for the future of your organization and those you serve?
If you are a philanthropist (donor) – of ANY size net worth – what are the implications for you? How do you feel about the future of the American/World economy? How do you feel about your family’s future? What would you like to do about it?
SEEKING: non-profits that you know and love that are in looking to improve their revenue streams. Contact Laura Anne Miller, 614.915.4324, lmiller@nfpcoaching.com today.
Full story on msn.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38996574/ns/politics/?GT1=43001
The Dignity of Work
One of my clients, the MCS/TOUCH program was recently awarded a substantial grant to implement a program of community development. It is a summer work program for young people – helping them take their lives to a new level of growth and exploration. An essential part of this program, and of all the services at MCS/TOUCH, is to provide employment opportunities. We have an enormous list of “Pathway Partners” – employers who are willing to give people the opportunity to learn about the positive benefits of a good day’s work. They are small businesses and non-profit organizations that hire the participants and give them the gift of dignity. These business people are interested in making a profit, for certain. However, they are also intensely committed to making an investment in the community. Thank you to all the Pathway Partners! They are making it possible for people of all backgrounds to get to the level where they are net contributors and do not have to be dependent upon “charity” for their survival. . . .
If you would like to learn how to become a Pathway Partner and jump to the highest level of the Golden Ladder, contact Laura Miller – 614.915.4324 or lmiller@nfpcoaching.com . . . The summer works! program fully compensates the participant (up to 120 hours). See: Pathway Partners wordpress blog
If you are a non-profit and would like to learn how we were successful in this grant process, contact Laura Miller at the phone/email above. As a reminder, here is the Golden Ladder of Philanthropy:
The Golden Ladder of Philanthropy
By Maimonides
(From Lowest Level to Highest Level)
1. To give reluctantly, the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.
2. To give cheerfully, but not in proportion to need.
3. To give cheerfully and proportionately, but not until solicited.
4. To give cheerfully, proportionately, and unsolicited, but to put the gift into the poor person’s hand, thus creating shame.
5. To give in such a way that the distressed may know their benefactor, without being known to him or her.
6. To know the objects of our bounty, but remain unknown to them.
7. To give so that the benefactor may not know those whom he has relieved, and they shall not know him.
8. To prevent poverty by teaching a trade, setting a person up in business, or in some other way preventing the need of charity.
About the Author – Maimonides (1135 -1204)
Jewish rabbi, physician, Talmudic scholar and philosopher in Egypt.
$41,000,000,000,000
That’s read: $41 trillion
What is this number?
It is the estimated amount of wealth transfer from one generation to the another in the next 50 years. Most non-profits are salivating at that figure -anticipating that it is going to come to them. But most of these organizations are kidding themselves. Why? Because they are not planning to channel those funds to the social sector – they are pinning all their hopes on it just coming to them because people realize they are in pursuit of a noble cause.
In reality, most non-profits are so focused on events, direct mail and corporate sponsorships (i.e., annual fundraising) that they are losing sight of the fact that this $41 trillion will slip past them and go right to federal and state coffers. They are so concerned about their short-term urgency that they are setting themselves up to be in “urgent” mode in perpetuity.
MYTH: Your current individual donors are so in love with your organization that they will just naturally leave you their wealth.
REALITY:
- Most donors are not aware of philanthropic vehicles beyond a will bequest – which in many ways is the least beneficial of all planned giving techniques (for them, their families, and the non-profits they remember in their wills).
- Will bequests often are seen as a “windfall” to the non-profit organization. It comes as a 1-time surprise. There is no systematic, purposeful plan to include legacy funds in the long-term revenue mix.
A well-organized planned giving program can keep the doors open now and in the future. It is not an either/or situation. One of the key features of PhilanthropyPlus ™ is that it is pays for itself right away and along the way. It builds a steadily rising stream of income that is predictable and based in relationships – not annual transactions. PhilanthropyPlus ™ takes a shift in processes in fundraising and development; but it is one that can be implemented in less time, at lower cost, and with less frustration than you may think.
Check out the Interpretations Advisor Group website to learn more and to contact Laura Anne Miller to discuss how PhilanthropyPlus ™ can be a planned strategy for growth.
Unleashed Abundance 