Leslie Carmona, CFRE’s Post

Thinking back on my Exponent Philanthropy conference experience, I knew I'd make interesting connections with other funders, but this year I also learned about some services that are improving nonprofit/foundation relationships. 💲 Unfunded List will review a nonprofit's unfunded grant proposal for $100 and deliver high-quality feedback. Immensely helpful to nonprofits who are hearing crickets, also important news for funders who don't have bandwidth to offer feedback individually but could sponsor participation for their applicants. 📋 Candid partners with funders to populate applicant's demographic data into your GMS. How nice would it be for applicants NOT to have to fill out that info on every proposal?? 🎥 MemoryFox collects video testimonials, a huge timesaver for nonprofits but also a less onerous way for foundations to collect grantee experiences? They also encourage foundations to sponsor equitable pricing. What tech/services are making your life easier and your interactions smoother these days?

Register for our June event! https://lnkd.in/e4nQ8Mqt Nonprofits are amazing and are doing incredible work. At the same time, there are lots of areas for us to improve on. In particular, the way we do fundraising. It's time to reimagine what our sector could look like. During this engaging and interactive 6-hour session, which will include lunch, Vu Le of NonprofitAF.com will lead conversations on how our sector is evolving. The first half of the day will focus on the overarching view of our field. We will examine philosophies and practices that may be holding us back, including boards, philanthropy, our relationship with for-profits, and our own bad habits. The second half of the day will dive into Community-Centric Fundraising: what is it, why is it needed, what actions can we each take. Be prepared to laugh, be challenged, and feel validated. Space is limited.

It's prime time for development staff at nonprofits. For many, it feels like trying to drink from a firehose. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are a few quick tips - two easy ones and one long-term - to help you survive to January 1. Take a read → https://bit.ly/3ZXsr6S #Fuerza | #PublicAffairs | #Creative | #Team | #ThoughtPiece

The Carousel Foundation of Greater Saint Louis 501(c)(3) recently conducted a survey to measure the impact of our causes on the communities we serve. Have you ever wondered how non-profit organizations measure their effectiveness and impact on society and the environment? Well, they use some interesting methods! Nonprofits use a variety of techniques such as conducting surveys, analyzing data, and using case studies to assess their impact. They also rely on social and environmental indicators to get a better understanding of their performance. To ensure the accuracy and impartiality of their evaluations, nonprofit organizations take necessary measures.ased, nonprofits may even seek third-party evaluations and impact assessments. It's all about making a difference and creating a positive impact!

Chances are your nonprofit will fail. What key steps are you taking to ensure its continued impact in the community? Nonprofits face considerable challenges, with over 1.5 million organizations competing for funding and resources. Industry data indicates that only half of these organizations survive beyond their first year, and around 30% fail within the first 12 months. Despite these challenges, many nonprofits continue to make a significant impact in their communities and beyond. Implementing effective strategies can increase the likelihood of your nonprofit organization or social enterprise becoming a sustainable and thriving business. Elevate your nonprofit organization's impact with my upcoming online course, delivering innovative solutions and actionable strategies for sustainable growth. Book a quick virtual face to face call to find out more ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gj6mCagX

Giving Tuesday! ✨ A big reason I started my business BisonHeartGroup, LLC is because I love nonprofits, small businesses, and supporting local. It’s the heart of everything I do. My entire career has been centered on giving, helping, serving, and supporting others and I wouldn’t have it any other way. On this Giving Tuesday, I encourage you to support a nonprofit that resonates with you. It’s about more than just giving money (though that helps too!). Here’s how you can make an impact: 💡 Volunteer your time – Even an hour can make a difference. 💬 Share their story – Like, comment, or share their posts to amplify their message. ❤️ Spread awareness – Tell a friend about their mission and why it matters. When we come together, we can do so much more. Let’s lift up the organizations that make our communities stronger. Who are you supporting today? Drop their name in the comments so we can all learn more! I want to know! Bisonheartgoup.com

Is your nonprofit a little different from the rest? When your nonprofit's mission doesn't fit into a typical box, you may struggle to fit into a fundraising category. The world's problems are complex and they take 💡 new ideas and innovative thinkers to solve💡 - but it can be frustrating when these don't fit into typical fundraising buckets. I see so much funding not making space for new ideas or asking for programs to fit into a category rather than just focusing on solving a complex problem. ➡️ But here's the thing - when you do the research AND know your impact your organization can tell a strong story of why it needs certain funding, even if it doesn't fit perfectly in a box. Heck, one of my clients is even funded through two different categories by the same funder! It is possible you just need to know your impact. Is your nonprofit's mission outside-the-box or know one that is? I'd love to hear about your/their unique mission below!

Are traditional brainstorming sessions stifling your fundraising innovation? At DPP, we've observed a more effective approach used by leading nonprofits: 1. Involve donors in strategy development 2. Test ideas with small groups before full implementation 3. Continuously iterate based on real-time feedback This "co-creation" method often yields strategies that truly resonate with supporters. Is it time to move beyond closed-door innovation and start co-creating with our communities? P.S. Curious about more donor-friendly fundraising methods? Don't miss "Making Fundraising Less Weird" with Joe Kirkenir. Register now: https://buff.ly/3YHr5eR

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀? Not engaging the community deeply enough. Engaging the community is the most critical step for any nonprofit aiming to make a real impact. Without involving community members in the planning process, strategic plans can miss key insights and fail to address the true needs of those served. At DC Design, we’ve seen the transformative power of community engagement. Our latest blog explores why this step is essential and how to integrate it into your strategic planning process. (Blog link in comments) Ready to elevate your nonprofit’s impact? Start with your community. #CommunityEngagement #NonprofitLeadership #RealImpact #DCDesign

In November 2023 the University of Cincinnati Press published my book, CHASING SUCCESS: THE CHALLENGE FOR NONPROFITS. The book content reflects my learnings from over 40 years of working in and with nonprofits, addressing causes ranging from public radio to blood banking to the needs of young moms and their infant children. What I discovered over decades is that there are significant fundamental issues faced by nearly all nonprofits regardless of their mission or focus---encapsulated in Chasing Success through questions that you need to ask yourself and the organization that you work with to ensure that high quality service is delivered and that your funds are expended as effectively as possible. In other words, what do I wish I had known and how can my journey help someone else? Chasing Success can and should be a reference volume for you---with more details that you can imagine and guidance through relatable stories. Lay readers and academic readers alike have taken the time to let me know that they "love" the book. Try it out. I welcome your feedback as well as hearing about your experiences.