Jessi Engelke

I've been so busy in my new role on the Fundraising Solutions Team at DickersonBakker that I haven't said much lately. One exciting thing we're doing at DB right now is our annual Nonprofit Leader Study (NPLS). Last year, we found that folks like you were hungry for change in fundraising, leadership, and metrics. But here’s the kicker—lots of organizations haven’t seen that change happen yet. So, this year, DickersonBakker is teaming up with Arbor Research Group to dig deeper. We want to know why. How do organizations like yours kick-start, manage, and actually make change stick? Your thoughts are crucial in cracking this code and finding real solutions. It'll only take a few minutes to fill out our survey, but your input will make a huge difference. Don’t worry, we’ll keep your answers confidential. And as a big thank-you, you'll get a summary of the key findings. Trust me, it’s gonna be gold for guiding your organization toward positive change. Let’s shake things up together! Dive into the study HERE---> https://lnkd.in/evXp4Nwg and let’s make some magic happen!

10

Software experts, would you please chime in? Is there a way for #nonprofits to segment their auto-response acknowledgment emails? Here's more specifically the problem: A couple of nonprofits I follow often send emails with CTA requests to sign letters or petitions. After you complete that action, the org sends an auto-response thank you email with an invitation to make a donation. I am a monthly donor (set up for auto-pay) for one of these nonprofits, yet there is no difference in the auto-response I receive from them vs the org I am not. It's off-putting to be invited to become a monthly donor when I AM. I know how important it is to cultivate donor relationships and that requires an ability to consistently recognize a donor as such. Trust is also crucial, and anything that suggests an organization is not capable of maintaining its records erodes it. I think it would be very helpful for giving programs to be aware of this communication faux pas, but more importantly how to fix it. So, please, if you have insight as to how nonprofits can segment auto-response acknowledgment messages, please do share! #fundraising #philanthropy #donorcommunication #donorrelations #development #donor #donations

1

2 Comments

Weekly reminder: Make your podcasts accessible - this means a transcript (ideally in HTML) on your podcast site, or at least an accessible document format to accompany your audio file. If your podcast host site has a notes section, you can have a transcript! If you are presenting on YouTube/other video service, captions. Have accurate and usable captions. Use the AI that is present and clean those suckers up and put in speaker names, grammar, punctuation, sounds. That's it! Get those podcasts out ALL of your possible audience. If you do the HTML transcript, you'll boost your SEO AND make more content available to more people.

13

2 Comments

Too many nonprofits, even national organizations, continue using poor tools such as Excel and outdated accounting systems to track donors and fundraising activities. Unfortunately, not having the right tools results in staff spending too much time on inefficient processes. Without the proper tools in place, donor data ends up scattered across multiple systems. As a result, many nonprofits miss out on opportunities to build stronger relationships with donors, ultimately impacting the potential donations these organizations could receive. For nonprofits that persist in using outdated tools, they will likely lag behind their peers in fundraising and donor management. This not only leads to missed donation opportunities but also hampers the organization's ability to fulfill its mission by limiting the resources it can access. Leading nonprofits recognize the need to achieve better outcomes with their donors. They prioritize strategy by defining their ideal vision for donor management and determining the necessary requirements for a better tool or solution. Gathering these requirements at all levels, from executive leadership to end users, is essential to ensure that the tool aligns with the organization's future direction. Additionally, these tools should integrate with #ERP and accounting software to reduce duplicate data entry across multiple systems, saving staff time. Best-in-class tools offer built-in workflows that provide nonprofits with automation options. Furthermore, these tools should support highly tailored and personalized engagement capabilities with donors. Since every nonprofit organization has supporters who donate for various reasons, it's crucial for nonprofits to engage with their supporters on a personal level, aligning with their passions. By continuously upgrading their tools for donor management, nonprofits can cultivate stronger relationships and achieve better #fundraising outcomes. For those in the nonprofit community, how are you leveraging technology to enhance your donor relationships? #donor #digital #board #nonprofit

6

Struggling to make your grant application stand out? Apply the Golden Circle method to craft a compelling story that funders can’t resist. Focus on the following simple strategies: "Write like a grant-writing expert focused on the Golden Circle approach to winning grant applications. Start by addressing the 'Why' of your project. Why does it matter, and what larger impact does it aim to achieve? What core belief underpins this project? Funders want to know why they should care about this mission. Next, move to the 'How.' Explain the unique methods, approaches, or partnerships that will bring this mission to life. What proven strategies set your project apart from similar initiatives? Then, outline the 'What'—your specific project details, including objectives, outcomes, and deliverables, making sure everything aligns with the 'Why' and 'How.' Conclude by emphasizing a values-driven case for funding that resonates with decision-makers. Text on WhatsApp to consult: +92-332 6383691 #grantwriting #grantwriter #funding #nonprofits #monitoringandevaluation #grantproposalwriter #upwork #fiverr #freelancer  https://lnkd.in/d_TUvT8h  https://lnkd.in/dhQ9ZY6C  https://lnkd.in/dXeNynWN  https://lnkd.in/dSfen_Vb https://lnkd.in/dC-K2r56 https://lnkd.in/dbDWDEdT https://lnkd.in/deq6ip7D https://lnkd.in/dB-Xb9j5 

3

This is an interesting article on ensuring that the budget you present strengthens your case for support. Something nonprofits grapple with, especially smaller nonprofits from underserved communities. https://lnkd.in/g4Eaj4jQ #asianamerican #pacificislander #grantwriting #fundingnarratives #budgets #naaapchicago

1

Are your donors donating as much as they can? 👀 💵 Making the ask can be difficult, especially when you’re asking loyal donors if they can give even more. It’s important to be aware of your donors' limits. But did you know that there’s one way any donors can be giving more without any additional money leaving their pockets? 🎁 Every year, billions of dollars are donated by businesses through matching gift programs offered to their employees. The issue? Most donors don’t know that they could be giving more without any impact on them. Don’t miss this LIVE conversation featuring Mackenzie Burckbuchler from Double the Donation! As a bonus, Double the Donation will be providing free access to the Matching Gift Academy ($199 value) for anyone who watches the webinar live! Webinar - How to Communicate with Donors about Matching Gifts Wednesday, July 10th at 2 PM ET 📢 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gUAccgGH #nonprofitwebinar #fundraising #nonprofitleadership #corporatephilanthropy #nonprofitresources

1

According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global), overall donor retention rates hover between 40-45%. Since the cost of retaining your donors can be up to 5x cheaper than acquisition, the more donors you can retain year-over year, the more cost-effective your acquisition efforts become. The question is: HOW can your nonprofit implement an effective donor retention strategy that works with today's modern donor? Virtuous' 'Donor Retention Playbook' helps nonprofits of any size with the tactics and strategies to help retain your donors. You’ll also gain the tools to create a map for each donor segment which will act as a daily reminder to your entire team of who your target audience is and how you can reach them. Get the ebook for free: https://lnkd.in/efS8N4W6

7

You’ve undoubtedly read, heard, seen people in accessibility and disability inclusion talk about the danger of overlays/plugins/little human shape in a circle to “turn on” accessibility. Thanks to Joe Devon for his post and sharing today. This one is for the tech world at large (any front end devs who use CSS will recognize Chris Coyier and his work in CodePen and CSS Tricks) .... and EVERYONE else that's not a techie type! The business model of selling fear of lawsuits as a reason to buy an overlay puts those companies (and your organization if you are a client or prospect) at a direct conflict with disability inclusion. https://lnkd.in/eF-cRuRT Take moment to read Chris’ post and Joe’s post too. #Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #DisabilityInclusion #SayNoToOverlays #OverlayFactSheet #AssociationManagement #MeetingPlanning #EventPlanning #Certification #Credentialing #DEI #DEIA

42

2 Comments

One of my fundraising language pet peeves… ...when nonprofits use labels for people that communicate that those they serve are “less than” and, therefore, “need a hero.” (I know it’s often unintentional!) For example, labels like… Poor Victim At-risk  Inmate Illiterate Homeless Unreached Under-resourced What labels like this fail to do is DIGNIFY people. The result is donors who may feel manipulated into giving (because they’re labeled as a “hero”) rather than invited to be a part of a new story. (I don't even want to get into catering to a "savior" mentality.) Instead of reducing people to labels, what if we told better stories? I know storytelling is often oversimplified... But I'm not just talking about any impact or need story. I'm talking about one that helps a donor see their own reflection in the lives of those being served. To do that, stories must… → Highlight shared human experiences. → Promote understanding and empathy. → Be absent of the “us and them” language. It's often easier to use labels than to get curious. But when we get curious, we create a connection. And when we create connection, donors feel a part of something bigger than themselves—not simply a hero.

14

Your organization cannot survive without the generosity of your donors. In this post, learn how donor engagement can help your organization retain donors and increase impact. #nonprofit #fundraising #donorengagement

5

New Quadrant Insight: Navigating Nonprofit Financial Compliance - Key Reporting Requirements and Best Practices Our latest article dives into the crucial aspects of nonprofit financial compliance. We cover key reporting requirements and best practices to ensure your organization remains compliant and transparent. - Understand the essential financial reports required for nonprofits - Discover best practices to maintain compliance - Learn how to navigate complex regulations effectively Don't miss out on these valuable insights to enhance your nonprofit's financial health and accountability. Read the full article here: https://hubs.ly/Q02CtBZp0 #NonprofitFinance #FinancialCompliance #NonprofitBestPractices #FinancialReporting #NonprofitManagement

4

Grant Strategy Tip #6 Streamline your grant writing process with a standardized proposal development framework. Use templates, guidelines, and best practices to craft compelling proposals tailored to each funder's requirements. Enhance efficiency and effectiveness in securing funding! 📊📄 #GrantWriting #FundingStrategy #NonProfitSuccess Claim your FREE copy of the Grant Mastery Roadmap: Your Guide to Securing Nonprofit Funding! 🌟 Click here: https://bit.ly/3wtZ1S3

4

A ONE SIDED GAME NEVER GOES WELL.... Does your organization know why donors stay (or leave)? If your response is NO...we have no idea. Or how would we even figure this out. Often your reporting methods might be hurting you instead of helping you. SCENARIO (can you relate): End of Year mailing (DM) goes out. The donor uses your website to donate. Does your organization attribute this donation to your DM? Or, to online donations? THE ANSWER: is both. If you only track and report on what your organization sent but not DONOR RESPONSE, you are only seeing one part of the equation. Or playing the game by yourself. Donor tracking is a like playing tennis your organization sends and the donor responds. BONUS TIP: if your organization tracks how many forms of outreach are required before reaching your optimal donation revenue. If you are not tracking what is sent and received you cannot produce this level of analysis. Use your donor data to reveal patterns to better help you understand your donors. I love to chat with organizations about setting up donor journey's. #philanthropy #charities #nonprofitconsultants #nonprofitconsulting #k12education #advancement #movetheballforward

5

2 Comments

#TBT with Realtime Insights: Master the Art of Proposal Writing! Have you ever wished your proposals would make donors say, "Yes, this is the one!"? Writing award-winning proposals can open doors to funding, expand your impact, and empower your organization’s mission. Our ED Lucy Njue, CFRE, with over 13 years of experience, has helped organizations secure millions in funding and knows how to craft proposals that stand out. The 'Write Award Winning Proposals' course developed by her is a game-changer, designed for founders and resource mobilization executives eager to level up their grant applications. Participant Testimonial: "As a new founder, the journey to secure funding used to feel overwhelming, but this course simplified the path. With relatable examples and support post-training, my nonprofit now feels fundable!" 📚 Packed with modules on identifying the best-fit grant opportunities, defining impactful problems, and crafting a standout project plan, this course has everything you need. If you or someone you know could benefit, why wait? This is your chance to learn from a pro and start understanding about proposals that win! Check out the course here: https://selar.co/kbnm

3

This thoughtful and practical article highlights the best way to make the most of your donor data. Some key points: -Data analytics must be customized to an organization's mission, activities, and budget. - Avoid data requests from your donors unless you're actually going to use their data - Integrating your data systems should be a primary goal - Use data to create a detailed donor persona to create meaningful ways to connect and garner support.

3

📢 Attention all fundraisers! 🙌 Are you tired of blowing your asks and struggling to secure the much-needed funds for your cause? 😫 Well, fear no more! 🚀 In my latest article, I dive deep into the art of asking for money and share the top ways to avoid common fundraising mistakes. 💸 From the delicate balance of strategy and preparation to understanding your donor's needs and interests, I've got you covered! 🎯💡 Don't let your fundraising efforts go to waste! 💪🌟 Increase your chances of success and make a lasting impact with these expert tips. 💼🌍 Click the link below to discover how to ace your asks and secure those vital funds! 🔐💰 https://lnkd.in/gWsb9cEq #Fundraising #Nonprofit #SuccessTips

1

How many of you have trouble finding federal grant opportunities until it's about two weeks before the deadline? 🙋‍♀️ Did you know that Instrumentl is a great platform for locating federal grants? For those who are looking to seek out grants of all types, this is our go-to resource. You can use this code to access the platform FOR FREE. DM me to find out more. #BeInstrumentl ⬇

5

2 Comments