Thursday, February 17, 2011
Nonprofit Giants Make Deals To Improve Donor Data
Strategic One touted itself in the innovative terminology of 'business intelligence', which refers to the collection, modeling and integration of fundraising and donor information. In each of these cases the companies agreed to pay as much as $2.5 million more depending on the relevant revenue objectives. In addition to these business developments, WealthEngine, based in Bethesda Maryland, a provider of wealth identification- and information-based fundraising solutions announced that it purchased and will put to use Oracle exit-data database machines. The upgrade is expected to dramatically improve the performance, user-friendliness and scalability of its wealth intelligence solutions. The financial information related to this deal has not been released.
Nonprofits Benefit From Super Bowl Buzz
In the state of Texas 1,000 people attended an event called 'The Best Party In Texas' which was organized to benefit a variety of local and national charitable organizations. The event was sponsored by the Feliciano Foundation. It is more important than ever for nonprofits to utilize creative fundraising strategies as the impact of the current economic downturn continues to be felt around the country, and indeed, around the world.
Fundraisers Contemplate Ethical Issues
Nearly a third of all respondents reported that the use of donated funds was the greatest area of concern. Sixteen percent selected challenges related to privacy and confidentiality, and fifteen percent highlighted the issue of donor control over gifts. Other options included percentage-based compensation/commission and conflicts of interest. According to Paulette Maehara, CEO of AFP, the use of donated funds is one of the key aspects of ethical fundraising practices, particularly as charitable gifts increase in size. Maehara has stated that it's crucial that fundraisers and donors collaborate and develop sound documentation to ensure that disagreements are avoided. The results of the survey are based on the input of 569 people who participated on January 20th.
The Armstrong Foundation Achieves A Major Stock Gain
Demand Media recently went public on the New York Stock Exchange. It has created a for-profit health and fitness Internet platform known as Livestrong.com which utilizes the Livestrong brand. The Armstrong Foundation currently still holds in excess of 60,000 shares, and has annual revenue of approximately $48 million as a result of licensing arrangements with companies such as Nike and Oakley, and thanks to members of the public who continue to show their support with a donation.
Contemplating The Outlook For Charities In 2011
A sharp decrease in state funding
Human service providers who rely on state funded grants will face some of the toughest times in the year ahead. Boris feels that nonprofits need to have contingency plans in place if they are to survive the times ahead with as little loss as possible. Conserving resources as much as possible is key, as well as learning from these circumstances and building up as many reserves as possible in the future that will enable them to weather similar storms which they may yet have to face. The challenge facing nonprofits is three-fold; contributions are down, demand is on the increase and government grants are in decline.
Nonprofit mergers on the increase
Boris expects that a number of charities will go out of business in 2011, and that there will also be an increase in mergers in the nonprofit sector as charities seek to pool their resources in an attempt to ride out these difficult economic conditions. Nonprofits need to be making an investment in fundraising and grant-writing, and with any luck, they can observe improvements in the economy towards the end of the year.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Today at 1PM The NonProfit Times TV, Watch It!!! It's only 7 minutes!!
In this cast:
• The Lance Armstrong Foundation Gets Big Stock Gain The Lance Armstrong Foundation gets a big stock gain in deal with a media IPO
• Donor Data Keys AcquisitionsThe big names in the nonprofit space have made deals to enhance donor data
• Ethical Use To Donor's DollarsEthical Issues on the minds of fundraisers
Remeber to tune in, Its just 7 minutes. Tell everyone you know. 1PM EST today tune in at http://www.nonprofittimes.tv
Monday, January 31, 2011
Americans Still Battling Recession-Imposed Hunger
Some positive news
In a survey conducted not too long ago, as many as fifty five percent of respondents mentioned that their shelves were only half full or less. On a more positive note however, the Salvation Army has reported that thirty six percent of its programs have experienced higher funding levels, and twenty three percent of all programs benefited from higher levels of volunteerism. These kinds of positive figures reveal that the recession has not broken the spirit of American generosity.
Promptness Is Key To Receiving That Second Gift
The bottom-line finding of the Amergent research study is that the shorter the period of time between two gifts by the same donor, the better. Nonprofit organizations would therefore do well to strike while the iron is hot.
Fundraising Expenditures Set To Increase For Nonprofits
Endeavoring to make up for shortfalls
The United States Postal Service is intent on bouncing back somewhat from its $456 million loss in November of 2010. A total loss of $6 billion was suffered in 2010. USPS also hopes to contribute toward some of the $5.4 billion that it currently owes to retired employees. This rate increase news will certainly place strain on nonprofits that focus heavily on the postal channel in driving their fundraising campaigns and searches for donors.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Today at 1PM The NonProfit Times TV, Watch It!!! It's only 7 minutes!!
In this cast:
The United States Postal Service is upping rates for the first time in two years.
Study shows the faster you ask for a second gift the more likely you are to get it.
The recession might be ebbing but pressure is still on at food programs.
Remeber to tune in, Its just 7 minutes. Tell everyone you know. 1PM EST today tune in at http://www.nonprofittimes.tv
Social media plus celebrities does not always equal a hit
The subject of fundraising has become quite an art in recent years with a variety of strategies being employed to elicit the largest levels of support possible. Two things that many Americans increasingly exhibit an interest in are that of celebrity and social media. One might think that in combining these two factors to create a fundraising strategy, that the resultant success would be substantial and impressive. As it turns out, this cannot always be guaranteed to be the case. At the end of the day, it is impossible to predict how the public will respond to a given online marketing strategy.
Alicia Keys and friends earn disappointing results
Recently and online marketing event was organized called Digital sacrifice. It was an event organized by Alicia Keys in aid of the charity she has created called Keep a Child Alive. A number of high profile celebrities joined forces with Keys in an attempt to make a success of this event, including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Usher. The premise of this event was that these and other celebrities would stay off social media networks until an amount of $1 million was raised. At the end of the day, the star-studded team pulled in disappointing results over a six-day period, with only $450,000 raised.
A billionaire comes to the rescueA pharmaceutical executive by the name of Stewart Rahr injected himself into the equation and pledged the outstanding $550,000, and thereby unleashing the celebrities in question back into the world social media. It just goes to show that there is more often than not no such thing as a sure bet when it comes to fundraising strategies. Nonprofits would do well not to limit their fund-raising activities to innovative digital plans and methods. The key is to think creatively across a broad range of mediums, and not to put all of one's eggs in one basket. Diversification and variety will go a long way towards ensuring the most successful fundraising campaign possible.
Supporters of the Salvation Army keep their contributions stable
The increasing move towards donating online
According to Major George Hood of the Salvation Army, online giving grew by a significant 35% over the 2010 holiday season, as opposed to the same period in 2009. More and more people are taking to the Internet to conduct their fundraising activities, and this is at least partly due to an increase in effective online marketing campaigns. The fact that online contributions to the Salvation Army has increased by such a proportion, is indicative of the fact that use of and accessibility to the Internet continues to grow in leaps and bounds. It is a trend that holds true for commercial retailers as much as it does for nonprofit organizations
Donation levels remain constantWhile it may be true that online contributions have increased significantly, the impact of the economic downturn has not been completely absent. It would have been reasonable to assume that overall donation levels would have increased given the increase in online contributions, but this has not been the case. Major Hood has confirmed that overall contributions received by the Salvation Army have remained roughly identical moving from 2009 to 2010. The overall amount that the Salvation Army received in contributions in both these years was between three and $4 million. Taking the time to watch this video is one way to keep up to speed with regard to current fundraising trends.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Taking a strategic approach towards fundraising
Using the world wide web to full effect
A vast amount of information relevant to potential planned giving candidates can be accessed in the public domain, and the internet represents a powerful tool for obtaining this information. Resources such as corporate insider information, other nonprofit websites and news releases can shed light on a companies capacity to donate, as well as any philanthropic interests that it has demonstrated in the past. A variety of free online databases can be found, and in addition to these, local public libraries also contain a wealth of information.
Contemplating the purchase of fee-based tools
A variety of resources exist, as highlighted in the video, that can significantly simplify the matter of searching for new donors. It has been said that those who fail to plan, plan to fail, and this is certainly true as it relates to planned giving strategies. This video provides nonprofits with resourceful ways that they may never have considered before of making contact with new donors. With a little bit of research, nonprofits can enjoy a much greater measure of donations Taking a look at this video today could represent an important first step towards a nonprofit maximizing its fundraising potential.
A Convio survey sheds light on fundraising statistics
The positive impact of the nonprofit sector on the economy
According to a statement released by the president of the Association of fundraising professionals, these donation figures paint a pretty positive picture. Each year the nonprofit sector contributes 5% of GDP, and also provides employment for 10% of the American workforce. Fundraising initiatives, particularly the giving season at the end of the year, are incredibly important for ensuring the stability and success of the various organizations that comprise the nonprofit sector. The positive impact that the nonprofit sector has on the national economy as a whole can barely be overstated.
How and how much Americans are giving
The survey found that an average of $281 could be expected to be spread across two or more charitable organizations. Some of the primary giving channels include direct mail, as well as social networking infrastructures. As much as $6 billion is expected to be donated over the Internet. This figure represents a boost of 30% over the identical period in 2009. For those who are curious about what the fundraising landscape might look like over the coming year, this video sure to provide some useful information and insight.
Celebrities join the worldwide fight against HIV and AIDS
Avoiding social networking for a day
A number of celebrities are committed to staying away from social media devices and applications for a day in a move aimed at fundraising in aid of the AIDS awareness initiative that Alicia Keys has created. Other names that have lent their support to the event are Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake and Kim Kardashian, to name a few. Each of the celebrities in question have committed to raising one million dollars each in aid of HIV and AIDS research, and in tangibly bettering the lives of those who suffer from this illness. It is an online marketing strategy that is sure to bring in a huge amount of support for this worthy cause.
Making a bold statement
As part of their efforts to encourage charitable donations on the part of their fans, each celebrity has created what has been dubbed a Last Tweet and Testament video which will be used in ads in which they can be seen stretched out in a coffin. This striking move is sure to grab the attention of millions of fans around the world, and hopefully inspire a huge amount of donations. Alicia Key has stated that it's important to utilize the power of social media tools in raising awareness about this important issue. This is certainly a video worth watching if you are in any way interested in playing a part in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Record Fundraising Levels Expected In Alaska
Many nonprofits stand to benefit
In 2010, about 9,500 of all Alaskans donated a part or all of their dividends as funding for various charitable organizations. The administrative expenditures related to the drive are being covered by the Rasmuson Foundation. Bearing in mind the vast range of charitable groups that are signed up to receive donations, donors are bound to find a cause that tugs a heart-string that they would be able to support with enthusiasm. When people go online to apply for their PFD, they will see the option to participate in the 'Pick. Click. Give' fundraising program.
Dipping Into Diaper Reserves In Minnesota
What the group hopes to achieve
The Diaper Drive is positioning itself as the leading advocacy group for the need for diapers. They hope that the fundraising event will bring in at least 200,000 diapers, as well as increase public awareness regarding this constant need. The Diaper Drive is happy to receive disposable and fabric-based diapers from newborn to adult sizes, and appeals to a generous public to help them in meeting their targets. The group is active in a number of locations in the state and beyond.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Celebrities Stepping Up To The Charitable Plate
The list goes on
A number of other well known personalities embraced personal involvement in charitable endeavors in 2010. Alicia Keys took the 2nd spot on the list for her work with her 'Keep A Child Alive' campaign focused on providing support for HIV and AIDS victims around the world. Providing support and encouragement for victims of floods was what earned singer Taylor Swift the number three spot on the list, a cause that she has donated half a million dollars towards. A focus on the tragic and urgent issue of child sex trafficking was what earned Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore the number four spot on the list.
Other individuals who made the dosomething.org top 10 list were Matt Damon for his efforts to bring clean drinking water and sanitation infrastructures to the Third World. Leonardo DiCaprio made a significant contribution in 2010 towards saving endangered tigers, and was also involved in raising awareness regarding global warming and other environmental issues. Justin Bieber is another celebrity who made the list as a result of his charitable fundraising efforts. Be sure to view the video to see what good work some of your favorite celebrities have been involved in.
Pacelle Talks To Nonprofit Times About Michael Vick And The Humane Society
In a recent publication of the New York Times, the CCF took out a full-page advertisement calling for the resignation of Pacelle when the Eagles were in New Jersey for a game against the Giants. Pacelle is not rolling over and playing dead, and is undeterred by the various accusations being leveled against him. According to Pacelle, his interaction with Vick have revealed a man who is deeply remorseful with regard to the cruelty he has exercised against animals, and who is determined to be involved in work that raises awareness about the importance of treating animals with proper care.
In his interview with The Nonprofit Times, Pacelle stated that he does not entertain these calls for his resignation. He mentioned the fact that the Humane Society faces a consistent barrage of attacks from funded groups, including the CCF, who is determined to undermine the work they are committed to against various animal exploitation industries in America. According to Pacelle, organizations like CCF are nothing more than a front for those who have an agenda of attacking legitimate advocacy groups. Be sure to take a look at this interesting video, and hear the story straight from the source.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Help Your Nonprofit Get Those End Of Year Donations
Most charitable donations take place that the end of the year. That means that your nonprofit needs to do its best to capture the attention of those in the giving spirit. A great way to do that is to let them know the steps they must do to get the maximum benefit from their donations to your nonprofit. If you don’t capture their attention, somebody else will. That’s why you should be the one. You don’t have to spend hard to come by money to deliver that message. Take advantage of your social media and any free radio time you can get.
What your charitable donors must know:
Your donors must itemize their deductions. If they want to capture the full benefit of their charitable donations they will need to itemize them out on the Schedule A of their tax returns. Otherwise their charitable donations to your nonprofit will not count.
Credit card donations and donations by check must be dated no later than December 31 to count for that given year. It’s okay if your donors do not get the credit card billing statement by year’s end or that the check doesn’t clear. The one thing that must be evident was that the act of donating was done prior to year end for it to be used for that tax year.
Your nonprofit is an IRS approved charity. Let them know that you have the 501(c)(3) status. If you don’t, work on getting that.
Larger donations can be rolled over for up to five years. If your charitable donor exceeds the maximum write-off they can do that year they can move it to the next year.
You have the opportunity to make a difference:
Having a basic understanding of the process for donations and how they benefit your charitable donors will lead your nonprofit to a more prosperous road. You don’t have to be an accountant and you shouldn’t give tax advice, but you can certainly let your donors know that there are great benefits to donating to your nonprofit.