INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
We’ve all seen them: social media pages or websites for grassroots nonprofit agencies that appear to have been designed by a student or a well-intentioned volunteer. Nonprofit agency directors are so busy serving people that they can’t find the time or money to invest in quality marketing and storytelling initiatives. Guest blogger, Julie Brown, is the program director at the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. MORE
It’s hard to do a one minute video that is asking for money at the end, because most people are never gonna make it past the 30- or 45-second mark. We've started to utilize the strategy that grassroots movements have been using all along. MORE
I know that you don't have any money. For grassroots and start up organizations, be sure to check on Kim Klein's Chardon Press offerings at the bottom of the left navigation. If you don't know how to account for money or donations that you receive, but have the best intention in the world - who cares? If you do not actively fundraise, you'll look for 'quick solution' money options and there are none. Need Seed Money? MORE
Developed by Third Space Studio and BC/DC Ideas, the 2015 Individual Donor Benchmark Report is once again empowering small and medium nonprofit organizations to explore their donor potential, enhance their fundraising strategies, and raise more money from individual donors. MORE
Outside of a vibrant major gifts program direct mail is probably the number one way to raise money at most organizations. It will take a little bit of time to teach your donor community to raise money online but if we keep waiting we may find out that someday soon we are behind. Grassroots and Events Social Media & Web 2.0And direct mail will still be a major way to find donors for a long time to come but not forever. It appears that direct mail is on the decline. MORE
I use the term "grassroots" gifts and grassroots donors instead of small, because "small" doesn't honor the importance and meaning of these crucial supporters. I've just re-read Joan Flanagan's classic The Grassroots Fundraising Book, and she describes it better than anyone. And then she gives clear, complete directions for how to do grassroots fundraising in different ways. To do grass roots fundraising you need only a basic understanding of money and of people. MORE
I was asked by co-author, Fred Setterberg , to read and review Grassroots Philanthropy Field Notes of a Maverick Grantmaker by Bill Somerville with Fred Setterberg. Our grantmaking maverick, Somerville, makes grants by getting out of the office at least 30% of his work week, talking with and listening to people working on a given issue, lessening the paperwork to get the money where it's needed, embracing risk, focusing on ideas instead of problems, and taking initiative. MORE
Motivate : When a colleague or volunteer raises money for your organization, whether it’s a small or large amount, thank them personally and in front of the rest of the organization. Tags: fundraising strategy grassroots fundraising MORE
Exercise you can do with your board right now: I’ll lay down these various stages of an organization (small grassroots, medium org, large institution) and put down tape on the floor. MORE
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently ran an article on raising more money at the cash register. Checkout charity fundraisers raise big money. The site also allows users to donate money or apply for a grant with the company. Don't go where the money is. MORE
CitizenSpeak is another free grassroots advocacy tool that lets you easily create a campaign to send emails to any target for which you have an email address. Tis the season for email marketing. We can help. MORE
Almost every nonprofit sends out letters to their donors asking for money. This made me wonder why don’t we do more calling of our donors to ask them for money? We send the letters out and spend a lot of time thinking through how we will ask for money. Tags: Grassroots and Events Why do we do mail campaigns over personal telephone calls? It is a tried and true method and a great way to get support from a large group quickly. MORE
No matter how many stories of hope you tell them, it’s not putting money into their wallets. No really, forget about them. If you’re fundraising for a small nonprofit, you have probably tried, over and over and over again, begging, cajoling, pleading with your board to fundraise. MORE
Whether you're raising money to build a new school or curing a worldwide epidemic, a single moment drives the need for a campaign. The Indivisible Guide began as a grassroots effort to support a new and growing resistance. Every successful campaign starts with a moment. MORE
The organization then gets the money from firstgiving.com, less a 7.35% service fee. You can facilitate online fundraising by your nonprofit organization's supporters with a new site called firstgiving.com. This is not simply adding an online donations function to your group's existing web site, but enabling each of your volunteers and donors to set up their own, personal fundraising page. MORE
Buy a virtual glass of lemonade from Lemonadestandforlife.com , sponsored by Volvo, and the money goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support families who must travel for their child’s cancer treatments. MORE
We’re working with local grassroots community organizations to provide education programs, sports programs, medical aid, and winter relief. For Giving Tuesday this year we’re focusing on raising money to build a new water purification unit at a girls' middle school in Gaza. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) works to protect the rights and improve the lives of children in the Middle East through aid, empowerment and education. MORE
I’ve worked in three very different fundraising shops in my career and have found that they all have done things very differently and raised very different amounts of money. I recently worked for a social services organization that had fantastic grassroots support. MORE
These are 5 reasons to stop hesitating and start raising more money and expanding your donor base through peer-to-peer fundraising! Not everyone who your supporters ask will donate to their campaign, but money isn’t the only benefit that you’ll gain from peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. MORE
They want to see that you have a lot of money and that you are a “safe bet.&# The trouble is, they have most of the money now. We can try grassroots fundraising, but the reason its’ not working so well anymore is because people have less and less money to give you. MORE
Beyond the small amount of money, the project encourages people to see themselves as something other than workers or consumers even if it just for the length of time required to apply for the FSNUA grant.” Tags: giving grassroots fundraising MORE
Successful fundraising isn’t just about money. FUNDRAISING BRIGHT SPOTS: Strategies and Inspiration From Social Change Organizations Raising Money From Individual Donors , sponsored by the Evelyn & Walter Hass, Jr. For them, giving money is integral to being part of a movement.” MORE
There's a long fight ahead, but for issues that stir you, one simple, positive thing you can do today is give - your time, money, voice, or attention - because so many organizations need your urgent support. That’s why we empower local leaders to build a strong movement for equality that secures critical grassroots wins at every level. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including legislative advocacy, voter education, and grassroots organizing. MORE
Non-ask events (where you don’t ask for money directly) can be a great way to build your reputation and get new people involved in your efforts. Grassroots and Events Guest Posts & ReviewsDonor cultivation is part art, part science. At its most basic, donor cultivation (and prospect cultivation, for that matter), centers on communication: staying in touch with your donors and prospects to build a relationship of trust and mutual interest. MORE
It’s a lot of money. And BTW, Keep A Child Alive has a beautiful website and looks like it is doing some Gee Whiz grassroots fundraising things that actually are both fresh and powerful. MORE
Have you built annual giving programs that allow your donors to have conversations with you about what their money is doing? Tags: Grassroots and Events How many of you view fundraising as community building? Do you partner with your donors to provide them opportunities to engage their friends and community in your cause? There are more and more opportunities through social media to engage our donor communities and I’m curious if you’ve had a chance to do just that? MORE
This is the title of a great eBook by Andy Robinson from the Institute for Conservation Leadership, available for free here. MORE
Learn how EveryAction Development is a better, more user-friendly platform to cultivate donor relationships, track major gifts, run direct mail & telemarketing campaigns, segment custom reports, and at the end of the day, raise more money. Meanwhile, Facebook Ads are a precise, cost-effective way to raise more money, sign up more supporters, and communicate a message to a specific audience. MORE
Related posts: Volunteer, Staff, to Guest Ratios Intentionally Connecting With Your Guests Eyes on the Party A Few Event Rules Question: Who Asks for Money? Tags: Grassroots and Events I’m going to make it a priority that every event I run includes a junior staffer that can answer the door, take coats, pass out nametags, and watch for overall event logistics. These tasks are essential to the proper welcoming of every guest, but it can take a significant period of time at each event. MORE
Software alone does not raise money. How do you use your database so you’re focused on raising more money? This webinar will tell you what to track so you can raise more money with your database. MORE
We are a grassroots organization doing our fifth fundraising event next year. Mazarine gave me TONS of ideas of where to look for sponsorships, we are gonna make SO MUCH MONEY!”-Mary August 9th, 2012 3pm EDT OR September 6th, 3pm EDT. Are you worried about your next big event? MORE
If all of your communications happen in one day, then they can feel overwhelmed, like you spent too much time and money on them. Tags: Grassroots and Events I’ve heard a lot of recommendations for nonprofits to rehash their old and current website content on their blog and through their social channels. This is a great way to find some information you can use to publish, but make sure to take a strategic look at your communications. MORE
Volunteering with a grassroots group? Need Seed Money? As I stated in the previous post, I understand that you do not have any money. If your organization is preparing to or in the midst of receiving a legal non profit status, this is a way for you to raise money before you have tax exempt status. When a grant is received, the sponsor receives the money as "income" and passes it on as a "grant" to the non charity entity, per your agreement. MORE
The note turns out to be a list of things you really need to be putting in place to raise money: your friend can check my blog, Fundraising Breakthroughs, to see my philosophy and approach to fundraising. If she's serious about fundraising, then please encourage her to browse Grassroots Fundraising website and purchase whichever book by Kim Klein catches her fancy. If she's new to foundation grantseeking, then have her buy Grassroots Grants by Andy Robinson. MORE
Or what successful small to mid-sized organizations are doing to raise money from a broad base of individual donors? She was a co-founder of GIFT (Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training), and the Editor of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal from 1998-2009. MORE
Here’s my resource list! I would like to keep it growing! Can you comment at the bottom with your favorite twitter friends, blogs, books, or other resources? Twitter If you’re looking for people to follow, may I suggest: @wildwomanfund/funders (This is a list: I followed all of the top 100 foundations on Foundation [.]. MORE
Lovely, real-life story of how a playwright learned to reach out, generate fans, raise money, and produce meaningful plays in Springfield, MO. Actual grassroots funding strategies for performing arts groups toward the end. Read the whole story. MORE
Many of these organizations never ask for a gift they just cross their fingers and hope that the money will come in. If it is someone that likes to give $20 or $100, don’t spend all of your money cultivating them throughout the year. These connection points should NOT be about asking for money. Related posts: Soft Touches Too Much Cultivation All Donors as Major Donors Sharing Stories Grassroots- A broad brush stroke. MORE
Today more than ever before donors want to know that their money is going to make a difference and is being used to the very best of its ability. Many charities today ask you for a gift to do something and then put that money towards general greatest needs. A reader had a great comment in responds to my grassroots fundraising post. If we are asking for money for X and give it to Y then that is a problem. MORE
You will have some donors that want to and need to be cultivated in a grassroots and annual fund way. Does your organization make regular practice of both ways of asking for money? Tags: Campaigns & Solicitations Grassroots and Events We only have so much time every day as development professionals, so we need to make sure our time is well used. When do you send out a letter, and when do you meet with someone in person? MORE
They’re on the go and often on their phone, so you’re leaving a lot of money on the table if you’re not catering to these individuals. That's really how your supporters are connecting with you, and you can't do any of the work you do without your supporters - from grassroots to high net worth. MORE
This week I’m reviewing a book called How to Raise Money for Political Office by Brandon Lewis. While our grassroots efforts are making a tremendous impact and outpacing my opponents, TV still remains the most effective way to communicate with the most voters. MORE
Since then I’ve read books she’s written and edited, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them all, especially “GIFT, the Best of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal&#. Understanding that money is simply a tool and it is a tool we all need to do our work. Kim Klein. MORE
People are giving you money. If you want more tips on how to get millions in grassroots donations, follow @wildwomanfund on twitter! Do you have a process-oriented approach to nurturing donors? Do you have a way for people to refer friends to you? If not, why not? MORE
Cause Related Marketing
JANUARY 21, 2011
Buy a virtual glass of lemonade from Lemonadestandforlife.com , sponsored by Volvo, and the money goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support families who must travel for their child’s cancer treatments.
Wild Woman Fundraising
OCTOBER 6, 2010
People are giving you money. If you want more tips on how to get millions in grassroots donations, follow @wildwomanfund on twitter! Do you have a process-oriented approach to nurturing donors? Do you have a way for people to refer friends to you? If not, why not?
Wild Woman Fundraising
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
This week I’m reviewing a book called How to Raise Money for Political Office by Brandon Lewis. While our grassroots efforts are making a tremendous impact and outpacing my opponents, TV still remains the most effective way to communicate with the most voters.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
JANUARY 17, 2006
I use the term "grassroots" gifts and grassroots donors instead of small, because "small" doesn't honor the importance and meaning of these crucial supporters. I've just re-read Joan Flanagan's classic The Grassroots Fundraising Book, and she describes it better than anyone. And then she gives clear, complete directions for how to do grassroots fundraising in different ways. To do grass roots fundraising you need only a basic understanding of money and of people.
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
AUGUST 13, 2010
This is the title of a great eBook by Andy Robinson from the Institute for Conservation Leadership, available for free here.
Wild Woman Fundraising
OCTOBER 18, 2010
Since then I’ve read books she’s written and edited, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them all, especially “GIFT, the Best of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal&#. Understanding that money is simply a tool and it is a tool we all need to do our work. Kim Klein.
Seeking Grant Money Today
MARCH 13, 2008
I was asked by co-author, Fred Setterberg , to read and review Grassroots Philanthropy Field Notes of a Maverick Grantmaker by Bill Somerville with Fred Setterberg. Our grantmaking maverick, Somerville, makes grants by getting out of the office at least 30% of his work week, talking with and listening to people working on a given issue, lessening the paperwork to get the money where it's needed, embracing risk, focusing on ideas instead of problems, and taking initiative.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JULY 20, 2016
Exercise you can do with your board right now: I’ll lay down these various stages of an organization (small grassroots, medium org, large institution) and put down tape on the floor.
A Small Change
MARCH 11, 2014
Today more than ever before donors want to know that their money is going to make a difference and is being used to the very best of its ability. Many charities today ask you for a gift to do something and then put that money towards general greatest needs. A reader had a great comment in responds to my grassroots fundraising post. If we are asking for money for X and give it to Y then that is a problem.
Wild Woman Fundraising
AUGUST 24, 2011
They want to see that you have a lot of money and that you are a “safe bet.&# The trouble is, they have most of the money now. We can try grassroots fundraising, but the reason its’ not working so well anymore is because people have less and less money to give you.
Nonprofit Consultant Blog
AUGUST 23, 2006
The organization then gets the money from firstgiving.com, less a 7.35% service fee. You can facilitate online fundraising by your nonprofit organization's supporters with a new site called firstgiving.com. This is not simply adding an online donations function to your group's existing web site, but enabling each of your volunteers and donors to set up their own, personal fundraising page.
Wild Woman Fundraising
AUGUST 2, 2012
We are a grassroots organization doing our fifth fundraising event next year. Mazarine gave me TONS of ideas of where to look for sponsorships, we are gonna make SO MUCH MONEY!”-Mary August 9th, 2012 3pm EDT OR September 6th, 3pm EDT. Are you worried about your next big event?
Selfish Giving
FEBRUARY 14, 2018
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently ran an article on raising more money at the cash register. Checkout charity fundraisers raise big money. The site also allows users to donate money or apply for a grant with the company. Don't go where the money is.
A Small Change
DECEMBER 8, 2010
Non-ask events (where you don’t ask for money directly) can be a great way to build your reputation and get new people involved in your efforts. Grassroots and Events Guest Posts & ReviewsDonor cultivation is part art, part science. At its most basic, donor cultivation (and prospect cultivation, for that matter), centers on communication: staying in touch with your donors and prospects to build a relationship of trust and mutual interest.
Wild Woman Fundraising
JANUARY 26, 2011
No matter how many stories of hope you tell them, it’s not putting money into their wallets. No really, forget about them. If you’re fundraising for a small nonprofit, you have probably tried, over and over and over again, begging, cajoling, pleading with your board to fundraise.
Seeking Grant Money Today
NOVEMBER 26, 2007
I know that you don't have any money. For grassroots and start up organizations, be sure to check on Kim Klein's Chardon Press offerings at the bottom of the left navigation. If you don't know how to account for money or donations that you receive, but have the best intention in the world - who cares? If you do not actively fundraise, you'll look for 'quick solution' money options and there are none. Need Seed Money?
A Small Change
JULY 20, 2009
Have you built annual giving programs that allow your donors to have conversations with you about what their money is doing? Tags: Grassroots and Events How many of you view fundraising as community building? Do you partner with your donors to provide them opportunities to engage their friends and community in your cause? There are more and more opportunities through social media to engage our donor communities and I’m curious if you’ve had a chance to do just that?
A Small Change
SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
You will have some donors that want to and need to be cultivated in a grassroots and annual fund way. Does your organization make regular practice of both ways of asking for money? Tags: Campaigns & Solicitations Grassroots and Events We only have so much time every day as development professionals, so we need to make sure our time is well used. When do you send out a letter, and when do you meet with someone in person?
A Small Change
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
Almost every nonprofit sends out letters to their donors asking for money. This made me wonder why don’t we do more calling of our donors to ask them for money? We send the letters out and spend a lot of time thinking through how we will ask for money. Tags: Grassroots and Events Why do we do mail campaigns over personal telephone calls? It is a tried and true method and a great way to get support from a large group quickly.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
APRIL 17, 2007
The note turns out to be a list of things you really need to be putting in place to raise money: your friend can check my blog, Fundraising Breakthroughs, to see my philosophy and approach to fundraising. If she's serious about fundraising, then please encourage her to browse Grassroots Fundraising website and purchase whichever book by Kim Klein catches her fancy. If she's new to foundation grantseeking, then have her buy Grassroots Grants by Andy Robinson.
A Small Change
OCTOBER 28, 2009
Outside of a vibrant major gifts program direct mail is probably the number one way to raise money at most organizations. It will take a little bit of time to teach your donor community to raise money online but if we keep waiting we may find out that someday soon we are behind. Grassroots and Events Social Media & Web 2.0And direct mail will still be a major way to find donors for a long time to come but not forever. It appears that direct mail is on the decline.
A Small Change
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
If all of your communications happen in one day, then they can feel overwhelmed, like you spent too much time and money on them. Tags: Grassroots and Events I’ve heard a lot of recommendations for nonprofits to rehash their old and current website content on their blog and through their social channels. This is a great way to find some information you can use to publish, but make sure to take a strategic look at your communications.
A Small Change
OCTOBER 13, 2010
Related posts: Volunteer, Staff, to Guest Ratios Intentionally Connecting With Your Guests Eyes on the Party A Few Event Rules Question: Who Asks for Money? Tags: Grassroots and Events I’m going to make it a priority that every event I run includes a junior staffer that can answer the door, take coats, pass out nametags, and watch for overall event logistics. These tasks are essential to the proper welcoming of every guest, but it can take a significant period of time at each event.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
OCTOBER 25, 2007
It’s a lot of money. And BTW, Keep A Child Alive has a beautiful website and looks like it is doing some Gee Whiz grassroots fundraising things that actually are both fresh and powerful.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
MARCH 6, 2007
Lovely, real-life story of how a playwright learned to reach out, generate fans, raise money, and produce meaningful plays in Springfield, MO. Actual grassroots funding strategies for performing arts groups toward the end. Read the whole story.
Seeking Grant Money Today
NOVEMBER 28, 2007
Volunteering with a grassroots group? Need Seed Money? As I stated in the previous post, I understand that you do not have any money. If your organization is preparing to or in the midst of receiving a legal non profit status, this is a way for you to raise money before you have tax exempt status. When a grant is received, the sponsor receives the money as "income" and passes it on as a "grant" to the non charity entity, per your agreement.
EveryAction
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
Whether you're raising money to build a new school or curing a worldwide epidemic, a single moment drives the need for a campaign. The Indivisible Guide began as a grassroots effort to support a new and growing resistance. Every successful campaign starts with a moment.
EveryAction
FEBRUARY 2, 2017
There's a long fight ahead, but for issues that stir you, one simple, positive thing you can do today is give - your time, money, voice, or attention - because so many organizations need your urgent support. That’s why we empower local leaders to build a strong movement for equality that secures critical grassroots wins at every level. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including legislative advocacy, voter education, and grassroots organizing.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
OCTOBER 9, 2008
Beyond the small amount of money, the project encourages people to see themselves as something other than workers or consumers even if it just for the length of time required to apply for the FSNUA grant.” Tags: giving grassroots fundraising
A Small Change
MAY 27, 2014
I’ve worked in three very different fundraising shops in my career and have found that they all have done things very differently and raised very different amounts of money. I recently worked for a social services organization that had fantastic grassroots support.
EveryAction
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
It’s hard to do a one minute video that is asking for money at the end, because most people are never gonna make it past the 30- or 45-second mark. We've started to utilize the strategy that grassroots movements have been using all along.
Wild Woman Fundraising
NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Software alone does not raise money. How do you use your database so you’re focused on raising more money? This webinar will tell you what to track so you can raise more money with your database.
Fundraising Breakthroughs
MAY 14, 2008
Motivate : When a colleague or volunteer raises money for your organization, whether it’s a small or large amount, thank them personally and in front of the rest of the organization. Tags: fundraising strategy grassroots fundraising
delicious NonprofitMarketing
JANUARY 7, 2009
CitizenSpeak is another free grassroots advocacy tool that lets you easily create a campaign to send emails to any target for which you have an email address. Tis the season for email marketing. We can help.
Getting Attention
MAY 8, 2014
We’ve all seen them: social media pages or websites for grassroots nonprofit agencies that appear to have been designed by a student or a well-intentioned volunteer. Nonprofit agency directors are so busy serving people that they can’t find the time or money to invest in quality marketing and storytelling initiatives. Guest blogger, Julie Brown, is the program director at the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.
Wild Woman Fundraising
AUGUST 28, 2016
Or what successful small to mid-sized organizations are doing to raise money from a broad base of individual donors? She was a co-founder of GIFT (Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training), and the Editor of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal from 1998-2009.
EveryAction
JANUARY 31, 2018
Learn how EveryAction Development is a better, more user-friendly platform to cultivate donor relationships, track major gifts, run direct mail & telemarketing campaigns, segment custom reports, and at the end of the day, raise more money. Meanwhile, Facebook Ads are a precise, cost-effective way to raise more money, sign up more supporters, and communicate a message to a specific audience.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 21, 2016
Successful fundraising isn’t just about money. FUNDRAISING BRIGHT SPOTS: Strategies and Inspiration From Social Change Organizations Raising Money From Individual Donors , sponsored by the Evelyn & Walter Hass, Jr. For them, giving money is integral to being part of a movement.”
EveryAction
JUNE 13, 2018
These are 5 reasons to stop hesitating and start raising more money and expanding your donor base through peer-to-peer fundraising! Not everyone who your supporters ask will donate to their campaign, but money isn’t the only benefit that you’ll gain from peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
EveryAction
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
They’re on the go and often on their phone, so you’re leaving a lot of money on the table if you’re not catering to these individuals. That's really how your supporters are connecting with you, and you can't do any of the work you do without your supporters - from grassroots to high net worth.
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 23, 2016
Developed by Third Space Studio and BC/DC Ideas, the 2015 Individual Donor Benchmark Report is once again empowering small and medium nonprofit organizations to explore their donor potential, enhance their fundraising strategies, and raise more money from individual donors.
EveryAction
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
We’re working with local grassroots community organizations to provide education programs, sports programs, medical aid, and winter relief. For Giving Tuesday this year we’re focusing on raising money to build a new water purification unit at a girls' middle school in Gaza. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) works to protect the rights and improve the lives of children in the Middle East through aid, empowerment and education.
A Small Change
SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
Many of these organizations never ask for a gift they just cross their fingers and hope that the money will come in. If it is someone that likes to give $20 or $100, don’t spend all of your money cultivating them throughout the year. These connection points should NOT be about asking for money. Related posts: Soft Touches Too Much Cultivation All Donors as Major Donors Sharing Stories Grassroots- A broad brush stroke.
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