Karen S. Cochran, CFRE

Leading a nonprofit in this uncertain moment? Check out this election scenario planning toolkit developed by The Bridgespan Group. An impressive set of resources and reflection questions to prepare for the unknown (it’s never too late) or known at some point post Election Day (and all the legal challenges). https://lnkd.in/epMs7gSV

11

The Far Side of Fundraising Tip of the Week Transactional fundraising leads to high rates of donor loss. Most organizations lose 4 out of 5 first-time donors. The more rapidly and impersonally we secure support, the more we sub-optimize giving potential and the more rapidly donors depart. High rates of donor attrition, coupled with the continue contraction of giving households, spell long-term disaster for most nonprofits. Don't follow the transactional lemmings as they plunged into the sea. Adopt sustainable practices. You may be in the minority but you will help your organization survive and eventually thrive. This one requires that you closely to see who stands out in adopting sustainable practices.

130

35 Comments

Is your nonprofit facing a capital need? Here’s a great resource to help you determine the priorities and strategies necessary to succeed. #christianschoolfundraising #nonprofitfundraising #capitalcampaigns #feasibilitystudies

2

Interested in learning strategies to help you better advocate for inclusivity and justice in your communities? Explore Urban Institute and Race Forward Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s new Equity Resource Navigator, a tool designed to help local leaders find resources to advance equity in the communities they serve.  Check out the webinar for a live demonstration of the navigator and learn how equity work across the United States is evolving:  https://urbn.is/3yIGCle  #Equity

14

Workforce issues is at the top of the list in conversations with businesses for some time now. Take advantage of this webinar that will discuss solutions for this important challenge. #econdev #nonprofit

5

Are you seeking to elevate #communityvoices? 1. Take a step back to reflect on yourself oh gate keeper! Now... 2. Let go of your need to be in control of the narrative to suit yours or your donor interests 3. Let communities tell you what they want and how they want and do the rare act of #listening to support and not to spin the narrative to favour your interests 4. Let communities build their own narratives and gather their own content to communicate what story they want and how they want Now comes the hardest part... 5. Give them access to those platforms and relationships you hold so dear and let them speak for themselves - on their own terms 6. Sit back and watch the world listen to them knowing that you played a value adding role Instead of merely elevating the voices of the marginalised you would have used your power and privilege to create room for communities to elevate their own voices Communities need access to leaders. Give them that. #comnunityleadership #shiftthepower #localisation #solidarityovercharity

5

Many donors still are trying to understand how donor-advised funds work. Likewise, a lot of nonprofit leaders still are unsure the right way to work with donors who give through DAFs, much less the DAF providers themselves. In the latest Giving Ventures podcast, we tackle both sides of the equation. The podcast plays back a great webinar we hosted for non-profit leaders last week exploring how to use and work with DAF providers. Take a listen, whether you be a donor, non-profit CEO, or a fundraiser. You'll find something to help you!

18

The association community, through ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, has urged both presidential campaigns to recognize and prioritize the contributions of trade and professional associations in their policy agendas. From the letter, associations account for over 1 million jobs, generating more than $71 billion in wages, and hold more than 272,000 events every year that attract nearly 52 million participants and generate $42 billion in spending. Associations also pay almost $28 billion in federal, state and local taxes each year, and events generate an additional $7.5 billion in taxes. https://lnkd.in/g5bkmP7Q #associations #associationmanagement #policy #vote

11

1 Comment

Learn the steps for making a professional capital campaign solicitation that we train our committee members to use. Read now!

1

The Impact of Logic Models on Nonprofit Grant Writing 💡 In nonprofit grant writing, logic models are essential for securing funding. They provide a strategic framework for demonstrating impact and aligning resources with desired outcomes. This article explores their vital role in enhancing credibility and achieving funding success for nonprofits! https://lnkd.in/eX5Q7UEs   --- #GrantWriting #LogicModels #GrantServices #NonprofitImpact #NonprofitConsulting #IMPACTability #MaximizeYourImpact #SoukupStrategicSolutions #NonprofitSuccess 

3

20 Strategies For Recruiting The Next Generation Of Nonprofit Volunteers To sustain their missions and impact, nonprofit organizations must proactively recruit the next generation of volunteers. Leveraging social media, offering flexible commitments and providing meaningful, skills-based roles can help to attract younger volunteers. These strategies align with the preferences and values of younger generations who often seek convenience, purpose and opportunities for personal growth in their volunteer experiences. Below, 20 Forbes Nonprofit Council members share actionable steps nonprofits can take to engage and inspire the next generation to become a committed volunteer base for the future. #12 Allow Younger Stakeholders To Work With Older Peers Find a strategy to afford younger stakeholders a chance to join older peers in being the “hero" of the organization's story. As younger stakeholders become stewards of the organization's mission, they will have ownership in the organization's future and their involvement will provide a foundation for institutional knowledge. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation #leadershipdevelopment #agriculture #education #stem #FFATODAY #mytexasffa https://lnkd.in/ebmgV6CZ Texas FFA Foundation Forbes Forbes Councils Forbes Nonprofit Council Aaron Alejandro

2

The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 have partnered to explore the ways that consultants and advisors help foundations and donors achieve their goals, and how consultants and advisors can better serve the needs of their clients. If you are a donor, grantmaking foundation staff or trustee, consultant to grantmakers, or philanthropic advisor who works with donors, this survey is for you! It will take no longer than 15 minutes. Learn more and take the survey: https://lnkd.in/drfkGKgv

6

1 Comment

Shouldn't We Be "Onboarding" New Donors? Are our traditional notions of stewardship responding to one of the deepest donor desires - to belong? Have we convinced ourselves that what they want most is to be thanked and recognized? Our research shows that most donors feel sufficiently thanked but inadequately informed about the impact of their investment. But isn't the best way to inform them to show, not tell, them? Does it not make sense that the sooner we welcome and "onboard" them, the better our chances of retaining them not just as a donor but as a member of our community? And, if they feel as if they are a member of our community, will they not be more receptive to future funding requests? We know that considerate and informative onboarding is a key factor in employee retention, so does it not stand to reason that the same would be true for new donors? Some of the best onboarding practices for new staff, according to Kelly Main of Forbes magazine, include: ⏺ Give out a welcome package ⏺ Make the first day exciting ⏺ Share your definition of success ⏺ Stay true to your culture ⏺ Check in regularly ⏺ Involve senior leaders Is one of the major reasons we lose so many first-time donors that we don't welcome them into our organizations and provide them materials and experiences that make them feel like insiders and valued members of our community? Wouldn't a more formal and systematic onboarding approach greatly increase our chances of retaining them for years to come? https://lnkd.in/eCFnAkV9

96

14 Comments