Amy Pokela’s Post

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Wondering what you should be doing to keep your annual giving program on track? Check out the video below for actionable knowledge.

Annual Giving March: Week Two There are two types of Impact Stories that your organization needs to tell. 1) Reporting on the Past 2) Sharing what will happen in the Future You crafted your reporting on the past impact story for your impact piece. Now it is time to start work to share what will happen in the future. This begins with gathering stories. Grab a notebook and sit in a high traffic area of your organization. Just observe. What is happening? Jot down notes of interactions that you see. Bring those notes back and see how these observations align with your annual giving fundraising goal for the year. Maybe you are raising funds for a specific program, maybe you need a new piece of equipment, or maybe you are raising funds for operations- whatever the case, look at your potential story ideas. How do they align? Here is your story formula: The Community has a Problem, Your Organization has the Solution, but Donor Dollars are needed to Implement. Problem, Solution, Implementation The next step is to take the story notes and your fundraising goal to work on your spring appeal. Have a great week and stay tuned for appeal writing tips. #AMPO #annualgiving #fundraising #fundraisingappeals https://lnkd.in/gcDzXjz4

Let's talk about metrics. The end of Q1 is quickly approaching. It is time to start thinking about how you are going to measure the success of your annual giving program. If you only report on the total dollars raised, you are only sharing a lagging indicator. What I mean by that, is that you are reporting on your program. Total dollars raised doesn't give you a chance to invite participation from your supervisor, or your board of directors. I would invite you to consider sharing a leading metric indicator. One that will give you a chance to invite participation from your supervisor or your board of directors. The recommended leading indicator is your decency quotient. This metric allows you to look at the largest givers to your organization and to understand how dependent you are on their funding. Here's how you gather this information. Look at your top 5-10 donors from the past 5 years. Once you have this data ask yourself these questions: - How have these partners changed? Maybe they have been really consistent, or maybe they have been very diverse - whatever the case, ask yourself this - What would you do if you learned that you weren't getting this funding again? - What is your current relationship with this funding partners? Could it be better? - What did you learn that you can activate on - maybe you have some relationship building to do - maybe you need to do some prospecting for the future. Whatever the case, it becomes easier to activate on it once you understand what is happening. Here is a formula to help you discover your dependency quotient: Sum of your top 5-10 contributions ___________________________________ = Dependency Quotient Organization Expenses Next week we will talk about how you activate on this knowledge. This is a research week. Dig deep and see what you can discover about these funding partners. Let me know what you are discovering. I'd love to hear how this is working for you. #AMPO #annualgiving #fundraising #Q1

Annual Giving: March Week One Fundraising and Story are intertwined. You can't have a good annual giving fundraising program without story. Here is the formula you should use to think about story. - The Community has a Problem - Your Organization has a Solution - The only way to Implement is with Donor Gifts Community Problem- Organization Solution- Donor Gifts to implement. To identify the Community Problem that your organization addresses- look to the vision statement. Chances are pretty good that the problem your organization is solving is the opposite of your vision. Your Organization Solution is the programs you run to address the problem. Now you need to combine this into a story. To begin this process, you need to grab a notebook and go sit in a high traffic area of your organization. Use the notebook to write down what you observe. These notes are going to form the foundation of your story. You will use the story two ways: 1) To Report: this is what you did in your impact piece. You reported back to donors about the impact their gifts made: you offered proof that your organization implemented a solution towards solving a community problem. 2) Discuss the Future: this is showing what could happen, in the future, with additional gifts to the organization. Maybe you can start a new program, expand a current offering, or maybe you just need to keep doing what you are doing. Think about your notes. Think about the impact your organization is making. The Future Impact Story is going to become the foundation of your annual giving case for support. It will power your appeal letters. Let me know what you learn about your organization. I would love to hear about the notes you took. We are digging deep. This is important work. Stick with it, getting a good story will make a huge difference in your annual giving program.

One of the many reasons why I love working for Huron. #teamHuron . Be sure to check out our 2023 CSR Report to learn more about the great work Huron does : https://lnkd.in/g_i5KnPt

🎁 It’s Giving Tuesday! Is Your Nonprofit Ready to Maximize Donations? 🌟 With the holiday season in full swing, today’s Giving Tuesday is the perfect moment to supercharge your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. But how can you stand out in a crowded space? 🤔 At Culture Foundry, we’ve got the answer! Our latest article shows you how to optimize your nonprofit’s website for fundraising year-round. By clarifying your messaging and creating a seamless giving experience, you’ll inspire more donations and deepen connections with supporters. 🎄 Don't miss out—check out our top tips to ensure your website is ready to convert visitors into generous holiday donors. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dBPVVrX4 P.S. Don't forget to LIKE if you’re ready to make this Giving Tuesday your most successful yet, FOLLOW for more nonprofit strategies, and CONNECT with us to discuss how we can help your mission thrive! #GivingTuesday #Nonprofit #Fundraising #WordPress #WebDevelopment #WebsiteOptimization #DigitalStrategy #HolidayGiving #NonprofitMarketing #GivingSeason #SEO

This Memorial Day, as we honor those who have served and sacrificed, let’s also reflect on the habits that shape our lives. Gratitude Practice: Take a moment to express gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy. Write down three things you’re thankful for today. Connect with Loved Ones: Spend quality time with family and friends. Strengthen those bonds with meaningful conversations and shared memories. Active Remembrance: Engage in an activity that honors the spirit of service. Whether it’s volunteering, attending a ceremony, or simply going for a walk to reflect, make it a habit to give back. Mindful Moment: Pause for a few minutes to meditate or breathe deeply. Reflect on the values of courage and resilience that Memorial Day represents. Let’s create habits that not only honor the past but also build a brighter future. https://guidedsteps.net/

Our latest newsletter is now out! Click below to catch up on our Practice and charity news and to see Lee's article about the importance of a Digital Legacy. #relationship #service #trust

How will you leave your mark on the world? In honour of Leave a Legacy Month, learn about creating your own legacy – however large or small – and contact me to help you with a plan to carry it through. https://lnkd.in/ensPaJeS