I remember my last fundraising job, sitting in my chair at my desk, late into the night, week after week, month after month, trying to get ahead of my task list. I thought that maybe, just maybe, my boss would give me a raise, or a better title, if I worked harder and did 5 people’s jobs. MORE
In one of his most clever and amusing posts ever, What my cat taught me about fundraising , fundraising creative Jeff Brooks gives us an important warning about relationships built upon delusions. MORE
Email is still gold. And the shift from quantity to quality is ON! These are some of the key takeaways from the new Luminate Online Benchmark Report 2016 by Blackbaud. MORE
According to LinkedIn , here are the top skills for 2017. Here are the hottest, most in-demand skills around the world: Cloud and Distributed Computing. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining. Web Architecture and Development Framework. Middleware and Integration Software. User Interface Design. MORE
With a lot of artificial air fresheners with harmful chemicals these days, it is good to resort to something that falls into the natural side. The best essential oil diffusers have been gathering more and more attention lately because of their numerous advantages and benefits. MORE
Happy New Year! I hope you had a good holiday. I just returned from my family’s annual trip to Florida. It’s quite a contrast from dreary Boston, but at least there’s no snow (yet). I also hope 2016 was a good year for your organization, and 2017 will be successful, too. MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Alex Meysman , national event director at Love Your Melon (LYM). The online retailer donates 50% of the profits from each sale made to find a cure for pediatric cancer and to support families impacted by cancer. MORE
Irish fundraiser Simon Scriver produces a near-constant flow of bits and pieces on his Twitter feed (@ToastFundraiser). Some relate to fundraising, some to charity doings and some simply to the hilarity of the human condition. MORE
Year-end fundraising is a bountiful time in the life of the nonprofit. Giving Tuesday and holiday-themed asks are just the beginning of the strategies that nonprofits employ for the end-of-year season. But many of these practices are too beneficial to reserve for the end of the year alone. MORE
Contributing Writer Antionette Kerr will be blogging this year for us on several topics, including cultural competency in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Working effectively cross-culturally is an especially important topic for people working in nonprofit communications. MORE
Happy New Year everyone! Each year my IN’s & OUT’s usually get passed around and shared quite a bit. Sometimes they ruffle some feathers. For others, they inspire! What do you think of this year’s collection? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW! MORE
One of the byproducts of the nasty 2016 Election is the explosion of so-called ‘fake news’ — false information that is presented as fact by websites that appear to be authored by journalists but are instead authored by those looking to deceive (or in some cases create satire). MORE
It’s annual report season, for better or for worse. Often it’s for worse since many of them are long, boring booklets that put your donors to sleep. You don’t have to do an annual report, but you do need to share accomplishments with your donors. MORE
Mazarine Treyz: Hey, everybody. Welcome. This is Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising and today I am talking with Barbara Winter, the author of Making a Living Without a Job. This book has been an inspiration for me throughout my path through entrepreneurship. I’ve given it to other people. MORE
Sarah Durham, Big Duck. Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Sarah Durham , CEO of Big Duck , a communications firm that is a leader in Brandraising - a proven approach to fundraising that puts the focus on marketing, branding, and communications. MORE
Here is the invisible thing that’s holding you back in your work. Here’s a diagram you can use to understand interactions at your nonprofit. MT: So what if I’m a new executive director and I want my board to trust me? You talked earlier about how boards can bully executive directors. MORE
As your supporters get bombarded with more and more messages from advertisers and competitors (other fundraisers) you’ll need to stand out. The best way to do that is to be more human, authentic and real. Here are nine ways to do just that this year: . Share personal stories with your donors. Be real. Be open, honest and transparent. Suppose your nonprofit got hit with a lawsuit or did something wrong. Don’t cower. Be forthcoming instead. Open up lines of communication. MORE
At the end of November, I made year- end donations to 25 organizations. Because I was worried about people who would be left behind in the new administration, 11 of these were new donations. MORE
Montgomery was a famous author in the early 1900’s. Her novels were internationally renowned. She once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ” This is so true. Involvement is one of the best ways to build seriously deep connections. It can mean the difference between no gift and the ultimate gift. There are millions of ways you can do this. Here are eight of them: Be transparent and give them access with a personal tour. MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Allison Weinhagen , Director of Community Engagement at City Market, a 16,000 sq. community-owned food cooperative in downtown Burlington, Vermont. Anytime you check-out at City Market , you can choose to "round up" your total to the nearest dollar. MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Dan Goldenberg , Executive Director of the Call of Duty Endowment , which was founded by Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. Dan was last on the show in November 2015. MORE
In my last post, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Year-End Fundraising – Part One , I gave examples of how organizations thanked me, welcomed me as a new donor, and recognized my monthly gifts after I gave my year-end donations. MORE
I’ll skip to the end and tell you how: Set some ground rules with whoever you ask to sign your fundraising letter. Usually, a letter signer won’t sign a fundraising letter for the following reasons: a. Because it doesn’t sound like her. Because it looks weird (i.e. MORE
10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2016 from Selfish Giving Welcome to my annual 10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2016. As always, it was a great year for cause marketing. MORE
The left-leaning Institute for Policy Studies crunched the data from Giving USA Foundation’s annual philanthropic survey to figure out who was giving what. MORE
Justyna Krygowska. Here’s the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. We need to hear from you! MORE
I failed to get into business school. I hoped to be a business major at the University of Maryland in the 80’s. But my ability to read, comprehend and recapitulate the institution’s business lessons was not so good. I didn’t make the cut and failed to get even close to acceptance into the business school. So, I decided to become a journalism major instead even though I wasn’t very good at writing. My dream was to have my own ad agency some day. MORE
Will the way an arts organization approaches its communications work vary significantly from a social service agency? Over the seven years that we’ve done the Nonprofit Communications Trends Report , we’ve seen few significant differences between nonprofits with different missions. MORE
Guest bloggers Beth Kanter & Aliza Sherman wrote The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit , a must read for communicators & fundraisers. If there is one thing we can agree on, it is that that last quarter of 2016 was especially stressful. MORE
It’s fashionable these days for many nonprofit fundraisers and their consultants to claim they’re ‘data-driven’ Problem is, most folks focus on the ‘data’ part of the slogan; few understand the requirements of the second word — ‘ driven’. MORE
What are some of the best papers published in social marketing this past year? This list of 10 represent the best work I came across in journals outside of the social marketing journals - Journal of Social Marketing and Social Marketing Quarterly. MORE
Flickr: Chip Griffin. The pressure is on to connect and mobilize your people as the world in which we work grows increasingly complex, crowded, and uncertain. Why not recruit folks already connected with your organization to help as marketing and fundraising ambassadors? MORE
I recently contributed an article to the Communications Network’s biannual journal, Change Agent , called It’s Time to Level Up! MORE
I apologize for the headline (and the macarons). I had to get you here and I knew “New Year’s Resolutions,” and sweets, might work. But here’s the thing – I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. I think if you want to make a change, now is as good a time as any. MORE
Mazarine Treyz: Hey, everybody. Welcome. This is Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising, and today we’re interviewing Marc Pitman, author of Ask Without Fear and the founder of the Concord Leadership Group. He advises nonprofits about leadership and fundraising. MORE
Read about the invisible thing that holds you back at your nonprofit. MT: Let’s say that for example, I’m a new development director and I want my executive director to trust me. How would I start making this happen? MP: I think it’s called transactional analysis. MORE
This practical, doable marketing plan template takes you from goals to benchmarks, work plan, action, and impact! . Eeesh! Those New Year’s resolutions—including the ones we set for marketing and fundraising work—are so hard to keep. MORE
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 3, 2017
I apologize for the headline (and the macarons). I had to get you here and I knew “New Year’s Resolutions,” and sweets, might work. But here’s the thing – I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. I think if you want to make a change, now is as good a time as any.
Getting Attention
JANUARY 4, 2017
Guest bloggers Beth Kanter & Aliza Sherman wrote The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit , a must read for communicators & fundraisers. If there is one thing we can agree on, it is that that last quarter of 2016 was especially stressful.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 20, 2017
The left-leaning Institute for Policy Studies crunched the data from Giving USA Foundation’s annual philanthropic survey to figure out who was giving what.
Non Profit Marketing 360
JANUARY 9, 2017
With a lot of artificial air fresheners with harmful chemicals these days, it is good to resort to something that falls into the natural side. The best essential oil diffusers have been gathering more and more attention lately because of their numerous advantages and benefits.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 9, 2017
Mazarine Treyz: Hey, everybody. Welcome. This is Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising and today I am talking with Barbara Winter, the author of Making a Living Without a Job. This book has been an inspiration for me throughout my path through entrepreneurship. I’ve given it to other people.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 9, 2017
I’ll skip to the end and tell you how: Set some ground rules with whoever you ask to sign your fundraising letter. Usually, a letter signer won’t sign a fundraising letter for the following reasons: a. Because it doesn’t sound like her. Because it looks weird (i.e.
Social Marketing and Social Change
JANUARY 4, 2017
What are some of the best papers published in social marketing this past year? This list of 10 represent the best work I came across in journals outside of the social marketing journals - Journal of Social Marketing and Social Marketing Quarterly.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 31, 2017
Here is the invisible thing that’s holding you back in your work. Here’s a diagram you can use to understand interactions at your nonprofit. MT: So what if I’m a new executive director and I want my board to trust me? You talked earlier about how boards can bully executive directors.
Selfish Giving
JANUARY 3, 2017
10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2016 from Selfish Giving Welcome to my annual 10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2016. As always, it was a great year for cause marketing.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 23, 2017
Justyna Krygowska. Here’s the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. We need to hear from you!
Getting Attention
JANUARY 10, 2017
This practical, doable marketing plan template takes you from goals to benchmarks, work plan, action, and impact! . Eeesh! Those New Year’s resolutions—including the ones we set for marketing and fundraising work—are so hard to keep.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 4, 2017
As your supporters get bombarded with more and more messages from advertisers and competitors (other fundraisers) you’ll need to stand out. The best way to do that is to be more human, authentic and real. Here are nine ways to do just that this year: . Share personal stories with your donors. Be real. Be open, honest and transparent. Suppose your nonprofit got hit with a lawsuit or did something wrong. Don’t cower. Be forthcoming instead. Open up lines of communication.
Ann Green
JANUARY 25, 2017
It’s annual report season, for better or for worse. Often it’s for worse since many of them are long, boring booklets that put your donors to sleep. You don’t have to do an annual report, but you do need to share accomplishments with your donors.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 29, 2017
Read about the invisible thing that holds you back at your nonprofit. MT: Let’s say that for example, I’m a new development director and I want my executive director to trust me. How would I start making this happen? MP: I think it’s called transactional analysis.
Selfish Giving
JANUARY 24, 2017
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Allison Weinhagen , Director of Community Engagement at City Market, a 16,000 sq. community-owned food cooperative in downtown Burlington, Vermont. Anytime you check-out at City Market , you can choose to "round up" your total to the nearest dollar.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 12, 2017
I recently contributed an article to the Communications Network’s biannual journal, Change Agent , called It’s Time to Level Up!
The Agitator
JANUARY 26, 2017
In one of his most clever and amusing posts ever, What my cat taught me about fundraising , fundraising creative Jeff Brooks gives us an important warning about relationships built upon delusions.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 18, 2017
I failed to get into business school. I hoped to be a business major at the University of Maryland in the 80’s. But my ability to read, comprehend and recapitulate the institution’s business lessons was not so good. I didn’t make the cut and failed to get even close to acceptance into the business school. So, I decided to become a journalism major instead even though I wasn’t very good at writing. My dream was to have my own ad agency some day.
Ann Green
JANUARY 11, 2017
At the end of November, I made year- end donations to 25 organizations. Because I was worried about people who would be left behind in the new administration, 11 of these were new donations.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 26, 2017
Mazarine Treyz: Hey, everybody. Welcome. This is Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising, and today we’re interviewing Marc Pitman, author of Ask Without Fear and the founder of the Concord Leadership Group. He advises nonprofits about leadership and fundraising.
Selfish Giving
JANUARY 10, 2017
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Alex Meysman , national event director at Love Your Melon (LYM). The online retailer donates 50% of the profits from each sale made to find a cure for pediatric cancer and to support families impacted by cancer.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 19, 2017
Email is still gold. And the shift from quantity to quality is ON! These are some of the key takeaways from the new Luminate Online Benchmark Report 2016 by Blackbaud.
The Agitator
JANUARY 4, 2017
Irish fundraiser Simon Scriver produces a near-constant flow of bits and pieces on his Twitter feed (@ToastFundraiser). Some relate to fundraising, some to charity doings and some simply to the hilarity of the human condition.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 3, 2017
Happy New Year everyone! Each year my IN’s & OUT’s usually get passed around and shared quite a bit. Sometimes they ruffle some feathers. For others, they inspire! What do you think of this year’s collection? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!
Ann Green
JANUARY 18, 2017
In my last post, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Year-End Fundraising – Part One , I gave examples of how organizations thanked me, welcomed me as a new donor, and recognized my monthly gifts after I gave my year-end donations.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 24, 2017
I remember my last fundraising job, sitting in my chair at my desk, late into the night, week after week, month after month, trying to get ahead of my task list. I thought that maybe, just maybe, my boss would give me a raise, or a better title, if I worked harder and did 5 people’s jobs.
Selfish Giving
JANUARY 3, 2017
Sarah Durham, Big Duck. Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Sarah Durham , CEO of Big Duck , a communications firm that is a leader in Brandraising - a proven approach to fundraising that puts the focus on marketing, branding, and communications.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 24, 2017
Will the way an arts organization approaches its communications work vary significantly from a social service agency? Over the seven years that we’ve done the Nonprofit Communications Trends Report , we’ve seen few significant differences between nonprofits with different missions.
The Agitator
JANUARY 3, 2017
It’s fashionable these days for many nonprofit fundraisers and their consultants to claim they’re ‘data-driven’ Problem is, most folks focus on the ‘data’ part of the slogan; few understand the requirements of the second word — ‘ driven’.
iMarketSmart
JANUARY 23, 2017
Montgomery was a famous author in the early 1900’s. Her novels were internationally renowned. She once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ” This is so true. Involvement is one of the best ways to build seriously deep connections. It can mean the difference between no gift and the ultimate gift. There are millions of ways you can do this. Here are eight of them: Be transparent and give them access with a personal tour.
Ann Green
JANUARY 4, 2017
Happy New Year! I hope you had a good holiday. I just returned from my family’s annual trip to Florida. It’s quite a contrast from dreary Boston, but at least there’s no snow (yet). I also hope 2016 was a good year for your organization, and 2017 will be successful, too.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 22, 2017
According to LinkedIn , here are the top skills for 2017. Here are the hottest, most in-demand skills around the world: Cloud and Distributed Computing. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining. Web Architecture and Development Framework. Middleware and Integration Software. User Interface Design.
Fundraising Coach
JANUARY 20, 2017
Year-end fundraising is a bountiful time in the life of the nonprofit. Giving Tuesday and holiday-themed asks are just the beginning of the strategies that nonprofits employ for the end-of-year season. But many of these practices are too beneficial to reserve for the end of the year alone.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 10, 2017
Contributing Writer Antionette Kerr will be blogging this year for us on several topics, including cultural competency in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Working effectively cross-culturally is an especially important topic for people working in nonprofit communications.
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