Fundraising – Beck & Company

How to Help Fundraising and Finance Work as a Team

In complex office environments where nonprofits are comprised of specialists, a high value is placed on leaders and systems that can bring departments together to get things done. Oftentimes, the finance and fundraising departments face similar challenges yet act like they are playing for separate teams. Aligning departments starts with a mutual consideration of roles.

Understanding Challenges

There’s an old saying that you don’t know what it’s like to be someone else unless you’ve walked a thousand miles in their shoes. With fundraising and finance teams, there are perspectives and tasks that each wished the other better understood.

Fundraising wishes that finance could…

Understand the challenges and process of fundraising.
Accept that you must spend money to make money (or get donations).
Help us maintain good donor relations.
Offer us some flexibility—things aren’t always black and white in our world.
Respect that fundraising isn’t easy.

And finance wishes that fundraising could…

Understand the fact that finance’s job is complex and time-consuming.
Accept help from experts in finance.
Help us do our jobs better by providing us with information we need.
Offer to sit with us to learn some basic accounting practices.
Respect deadlines.

Coming to a consensus is much easier when you understand and respect one another’s positions in a situation. Knowing what the other ‘team’ wants can help you step closer to a compromise and to supporting each other’s vital roles in an organization.

Different Departments, Similar Needs

Although finance and fundraising reflect different departments with varying needs, both seem to experience similar challenges when it comes to data and information. Ways in which both departments can help each other overcome their shared challenges include:

Collaborate on budgets and tracking
Improve reports and reconciliation of financial information
Have joint planning and goal-setting tasks
Communicate frequently and in a timely manner
Identify ideal processes and procedures
Integrate fundraising and accounting software

One tool that can help both departments communicate, collaborate, and plan together is nonprofit accounting software. Various software packages such as Intaact, work independently or together to provide data sharing among teams, timely updates, and more. Cloud-based solutions enhance communications because they can be accessed anywhere there’s a web connection. It makes it easier for fundraisers who travel to visit important donors to update their accounts, for example, which in turn provides information to finance to help them do their jobs better.

While the right software can’t solve all internal scuffles, it can help fundraising and finance join hands across the net and play for a winning nonprofit. It’s an important step in the right direction.

Intacct Cloud-based ERP Software

Intacct is specifically designed to provide nonprofits with the control needed to simplify financials and fundraising so you can determine where – and how – to allocate your resources and time. Built in the Cloud environment, Intacct provides organizations with true business visibility and flexibility so they always are in the know. Designed to automate your organization’s financial processes and transform your financial department into one that strategically drives your company toward growth, Intacct has been voted one of the best-in-class financial ERP solutions on the market today.

To learn more about Intacct, or how Beck & Company CPAs can help your finance and fundraising teams work together using our nonprofit accounting services, give us a call at 703-834-0776 x 8001.

Tracking Fundraising Metrics: What Should You Measure?

Nonprofits who use fundraising tactics need to measure outcomes just as for-profits do in order to ensure that their marketing efforts achieved their goals. But what should you measure?

Taking a cue from our for-profit friends, we know that specific metrics around marketing campaigns are important: open rates on emails, click-through rates, and so on. Fundraising is no different. We want to measure how many people received fundraising messages, read them, and responded to them.

Here’s an outline of basic metrics to collect, track and review after your fundraising campaigns have ended. How many of these does your nonprofit track? How many should you add to your next campaign?

The Numbers You Need to Know: Fundraising Metrics

Most nonprofits are using email marketing to reach potential donors during fundraising campaigns. Email marketing offers a measurable marketing method that’s relatively easy for newcomers to the world of marketing math and metrics to understand.

Why bother tracking email marketing metrics? When you know your numbers, you know what’s working and what’s not. You can test different elements of the email, like the subject line or the pictures you use, to see which one spurs the most people to open it and donate. You can learn from your campaigns rather than send them out with fingers crossed.

Let’s take a look at three important email metrics, what they mean, and how to track them.

First, a word about email marketing metrics: your metrics are probably sitting somewhere in the system you use to send emails out. This may be a CRM system, or an email provider like MailChimp, Constant Contact, or another company that helps you automate your emails. If you don’t have reports available, the formulas to calculate each rate are included below. They’re easy and can be done using just a calculator—no complicated math.

Open rate: The open rate for an email marketing campaign means how many people clicked and opened the email. This tells you that your emails are interesting enough to read, and that they are getting a reaction from people. The open rate = (emails opened/emails sent out).
Click rate: The click rate for a fundraising email campaign tells you how many people were interested enough to click the link in the email to visit your website. If you’ve asked them to click and donate, you can also compare the number of clicks to the number of donations and see how many people finished by donating to your cause or how many changed their minds after clicking the link and left before donating. The click rate = (emails clicked/emails sent).
Donor retention: Retention means you are keeping donors. It’s important to your organization because it means you’re continuing to both do the good work you intend to do and that you’re keeping your donors engaged and informed. It’s easier to solicit donations from existing donors than to find new ones, so the higher your donor retention rate, the better. You can calculate this number on your own (your email metrics probably won’t include this figure) by using the following formula: Donor retention = (repeat donors)/(previous donors).

Improving Fundraising Campaigns for Success: Register for Our Webinar

At Beck & Company, we want your fundraising campaigns to be successful. We’re offering a free informational webinar on Outcomes Measurement for your nonprofit. It’s more information on measuring outcomes. All outcomes, such as these marketing metrics, are important. Learn which operational outcomes and other metrics you should be tracking and how to harness data to improve your work. Visit our webinar page for more information.

Beck & Company provides consulting and accounting services to nonprofits. Contact us today or call 703-834-0776 ext. 8001 for more information on the services we provide to help your nonprofit thrive.

Lessons from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

A little more than one year ago, the biggest, most wide-spread, organically originated, fundraising campaign swept through social media. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge began when golfer Christ Kennedy accepted a challenged to donate money to a charity of his choice OR dump a bucket of ice over his head, post a recording of it on social media and nominate three others to the same within a day. Kennedy did this and one of his nominees chose to make a donation to the ALS association, as well as post a video and nominate three others. Simultaneously but unconnected, Peter Frates, a form Boston College baseball player currently living with ALS, posted a video on Facebook. The challenge then took on a life of its own and thousands upon thousands participated in the fundraising campaign raising unprecedented awareness and money for the ALS organization. There are some valuable lessons to be learned from this campaign.

The Power of Social Media

It is undeniable that social media was the star player in the ice bucket challenge’s success. Although one cannot guarantee the type of mega success that the ice bucket challenge received, it proves that social media platforms are a great tool to use, to promote awareness of any cause. Ask yourself the following questions regarding your social media strategy.

What is my social media strategy?
How often is my nonprofit active on social media pages?
How many followers/fans does our organization have?
When was the last time our page posted or interacted on social media?

If you want to play, you have to at the very least, get in the game.

How do we engage the millennials?

Another thing we learn from the ice bucket challenge is the power of the younger generation to support causes. The millennials want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They also want to know that their money is actually doing something good and making a difference. They are active social media users with influence. Learn how they think, what they are passionate about, what concerns do they have, and target a campaign to engage them. Read more about millennial giving habits here.

The fun factor

One reason for the ALS Ice Bucket campaign’s success was its fun factor. The campaign was engaging, specific, simple to do, sharable, and tapped into FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). If you weren’t challenged to participate you felt a little left out of the fun. This “X” factor was key to the viral nature of the campaign. Think outside the box.

Wide end of the funnel

Another key factors to the ALS success was its accessibility. Anyone could play. Whether you made a financial contribution or not you were still positively impacting the cause just by promoting awareness. Furthermore donations were made that ranged from $1 – $200,000 and every donation mattered.

Savvy organizations are taking a tip from the success of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge to find ways to create online community support that will ultimately lead to greater impact for their organizations. Online giving campaigns should definitely be a part of your future fundraising strategy to support your organizations mission.

Founded in 1987, Beck & Company is an independent certified public accounting firm serving the Greater Washington D. C. metropolitan area with clients also along the Eastern Seaboard. Our firm has been built upon a tradition of service, technical expertise, and creative thinking. Our services are highly personalized, cost effective, accurate, and dependable. Above all, we find the most practical solution to foster success and opportunity in your business and personal financial ventures. Contact us to see how we can help you reach your organizations goals.

WHAT IS #GIVINGTUESDAY and How Can #WEPLAY

In a New York City apartment in 2012, Henry Timms, the Executive Director of the 92^nd Street Y, dreamed of a global day dedicated to giving back. Tis’ the Season, right? With a day fully dedicated to giving thanks, followed by two of the biggest shopping days of the year, why not set aside a day dedicated to generosity? #GivingTuesday is a compassionate response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Last year more than 10,000 organizations worldwide participated in GivingTuesday and according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy raised over $46 million dollars. Knowing the trend of this generosity the question becomes, how can nonprofits get involved and make the most of #GivingTuesday in 2015.

Step one – Start Planning Now!

Get a head start promoting on social media, marketing collateral, and direct contact with donors. Take advantage of the hype of this global movement to let those who care about your organization know that you are playing too. If you haven’t put a plan together yet, it’s not too late. Set up a meeting time with your most creative thinkers and establish a plan now.

Step Two – Communicate

Make sure your call to action is simple, clear, and compelling. Some ideas would be to integrate #GivingTuesday into your year-end campaign, organize a volunteer project, hold an open house showcasing your nonprofit, or consider matching grants. Whatever you choose, ensure that people know exactly what you want them to do and when.

Step Three – Share Your Story

Throughout the day, be sure you are sharing your results. Post updates on social media every hour. Take pictures and post them. Interview volunteers and capture their story for a follow up blog post or video to share. Additionally, document the process. Write down what works and what doesn’t so you can learn for next year.

Step Four – It’s Not What You Know but Who You Know

Consider recruiting and then empowering people who will promote your organization and influence others to love it too. Consider looking at your social media and identifying your biggest fans and cheerleaders. Those are the ones who consistently like, comment, retweet, and share your posts; or find a local or global celebrity who supports your cause. Even if their only contribution is to share your #GivingTuesday posts on their social media sights, it’s a win. Just think of all of the people who can be reached through networking with your most popular followers.

Step Five – Wide End of the Funnel

Take advantage of #GivingTuesday as an opportunity to be accessible to everyone. This is a great all play day and should be considered a large generator of new first-time donors. Focusing on a campaign that attracts new donors, is accessible to everyone, and has the potential to move the newly generated donors deeper into the funnel to become long term advocates for the cause.

Step Six – Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Generosity begets generosity, so don’t forget to be generous in acknowledging and appreciating those who have supported your organization on #GivingTuesday. Anyone who has experienced success in fundraising–and the profound responsibility of stewarding generous donors–knows that gratitude is everything.

Assign someone from your team to be responsible for responding to every contributor, immediately with a thank you email. Take it a step further by making a personal phone call or sending a hand written thank you note. These are the types of actions that set you a part and delight those who have supported you.

Making the Most of the Year End

A necessary function of nonprofit organizations is fundraising. While grant proposals are a significant and valid source of raising funds, there are other things your organization can do to encourage donations. Today we will take a look at some other ways your nonprofit organization can raise funds to achieve your mission.

Fundraising Events

Whether it be an organized run, gala, auction, or dinner, gathering people together for the purpose of learning about and supporting your mission is a great way to raise funds. Hosting fundraising events is common throughout the nonprofit world. One of the greatest benefits is that people can get involved at almost any level. From a $25 entrance fee to a $2,500 donation, you can create ways for everyone to play. In addition to raising funds, events provide the opportunity to raise awareness. Through inviting speakers, sharing stories, and showing pictures or videos you can communicate the value of your mission to constituents and influencers. In addition, hosting events like run/walks or theme parties creates an opportunity to tell the public what you’re about and invite them to participate.

Annual Donations

At least once per year, nonprofits can simply ask people to donate in support of their cause. Most often, this is done through a direct mail campaign and the target audience is anyone who may be interested in supporting your organization. It is wise to send this out during the late fall in hopes of tapping into the year-end donations. Did you know that 25% of all donations are made in the month of December with 10% made the last three days of the year? December breeds generosity as well as tax benefits, take advantage of this to invite people to exercise their generosity by investing in your nonprofit.

Memberships

Most regular corporations have stockholders, however, because nonprofits do not issue stock they do not. An alternative to this is offering membership. A formal membership structure may grant certain rights, such as voting power, towards board members and decisions. Although additional paperwork and administration is necessary to support membership, this is another great way to raise funds for your organization. There are two options for membership.

Rolling Membership – this means that membership income is steady throughout the year as people will be paying their renewals as they expire. This requires someone to keep track of memberships and send out renewals accordingly. The alternative to this is:
Annual Memberships or Memberships that are renewed one time of the year. This has its advantages, as you are able to time your renewal to bring in donations at a set time of the year, which helps with cash flow. On the other hand – you may lose out on potential members and funds if you’re not on top of membership offerings throughout the other months of the year.

Planned Giving

Planned giving is the act of making a commitment to give a charitable organization a gift, over time or in the event of death, as part of the donor’s overall financial and estate planning. All too often, this opportunity to generate donations is overlooked or avoided by nonprofits. Understandably, it is a tricky subject to broach, however, it is important not to underestimate the power of legacy. People want to leave a legacy in an area that they are passionate about. Keep in mind – you are inviting people who care about your nonprofit to make a lasting investment, to keep pursuing your mission. This is not a forced act but an opportunity that can be accepted or declined, but you will never know if you do not ask.

At Beck & Company, Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors, we are an accounting and consulting firm delivering specialized expertise, creative thinking, and unsurpassed service to ensure that our clients’ financial endeavors flourish. Specifically, we offer nonprofit services such as CFO, Controllership, and Accounting services. Contact us to see how we can help your organization flourish.

Nonprofit Fundraising: Do you have a Sufficient Online Presence?

Fundraising. What emotions do you feel when you hear that word? As a nonprofit, does your organization dread and detest fundraising yet see its importance or is it something that you enjoy and feel successful at? For most people, they would say there is more hatred than love for fundraising so they, therefore, view it as a “necessary evil.”

Fundraising for nonprofits can be an essential part of helping acquire the funds needed to fulfill the organization’s mission. With the proper structures in place that are responsive to what donors are desirous to see, there is success to be had in terms of fundraising. Last month, we took a look at how to fundraise in a modern and connected world. In summary, current fundraising is all about focusing on individual giving through web-based tools and online efforts. This month, let’s take it a step further and look at what, exactly, should be included in your online fundraising attempts and some metrics that support the benefits of these efforts.

First, though, it is worth the reminder that all nonprofit fundraising efforts need to be properly recorded and tracked just like any other financial transaction. Although we will leave the fundraising expertise up to you, Beck and Company’s Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors can assist you with your back-office accounting and financial needs so you can focus on your mission. We provide professional advice to help you with financial statements and bookkeeping to make sure your finances are in order. Learn more about our nonprofit services. Now, let’s take a deeper look at what makes nonprofit fundraising successful in our current reality.

What leads to success in fundraising in our current reality?

These days, everything is about the internet. Two of the most powerful ways to fundraise are through online videos and blogs. These venues give you a chance to reach a broad audience with small and meaningful messages that have a personal flare. These short pieces create “ah ha” moments for viewers as to what your cause is and how it is really making a difference. This, in turn, leads them to want to contribute to see these things continue.

Diversifying your efforts to get the word out is essential. Multi-channel fundraising is more effective because with a larger number of communication channels being used, fundraising effectiveness improves. This means that the SAME message is sent out all over the place (website, e-newsletter, videos, advertisements, mailers, etc.). These small snippets add up to a complete picture for people in understanding the mission and need to contribute. Simply put, reinforcement is important.

In summary, successful fundraising today involves needing:

Blog posts with relevant and impactful content
Video clips available online reinforcing this same relevant and impactful content
Multiple channels to communicate the same message to a variety of people in a variety of formats

What metrics support the need for an online presence?

Here are just some examples of the results:

Fundraisers who release blog content reported they were 34% more likely to have increased fundraising revenue last year.
Fundraisers who release video content reported they were 47% more likely to have increased fundraising revenue last year.
Nonprofits who accept online donations were 24% more likely to have increased fundraising revenue last year and 61% more likely to describe their fundraising efforts as “effective.”
One organization that went from a single channel of communication to multiple channels all saying the same message increased their fundraising by 40% in just one season.

For more information about nonprofit fundraising and how to properly record and report what is raised, contact us here at Beck and Company CPAs. We are here to help your organization with its accounting and business system needs.

Nonprofit Fundraising in our Connected and Modern World

In order to prepare for a nonprofit financial audit or to expand fund development, you will need to be sure that past, current, and future funds raised from fundraising efforts are properly tracked and recorded. Even if you are simply doing an internal audit to prepare for a campaign, it is necessary to take a closer look at funds raised in the past and to be sure that the proper infrastructure is in place to handle a campaign. Beck and Company’s Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors can give you insight into auditing processes and other nonprofit services. To learn more about audits and for assistance in this nonprofit financial audit process, take a look at our auditing services.

We all know that nonprofit fundraising is extremely valuable and important. Without it, it is likely there will be insufficient funds to meet the needs and service the mission of the organization because nonprofits can no longer rely on ever-decreasing government funds nor on select special events or grants. How, then, can we successfully do it? Fundraising is becoming more focused on individual giving. Being successful with fundraising efforts online is no easy task, but using the technology tools of today to reach individuals can be an important source of funds in a world where nearly everything is transitioning to the web. Here are five important tips for helping you achieve success in raising funds online:

1. Use multiple social online tools that others are using, too

Yes, there are indeed dozens of social tools available these days. While you would not want to use everything that is available, you should pick and choose as many as you think will work best for your audiences that you are also capable of managing. For example, different people prefer using Facebook pages over Twitter while others would rather follow Twitter feeds. You’ll want your efforts to be widespread so no one is left in the dark and so no possible opportunity is missed. Therefore, invest in the channels and tools that can really help you reach all of your supporters and donors. Remember, use what those people are using. There is no need to jump on the bandwagon of a new social technology tool until your donors are using it, too.

2. Networking with bloggers that share your organization’s passion is essential

Take time to build a relationship with the MANY bloggers that are out there. You are likely to find numerous blogs and bloggers that will share your nonprofit’s same passion. These connections can translate into easily multiplying efforts by having others with the same passion spread the word through their blogs. They can become your champions and help you raise awareness and donations through their readers and subscribers.

3. Don’t forget the power of face-to-face

Asking for support in person is still the number one way to achieve a donation for your organization. Use every correspondence and each opportunity when meeting with others in person to direct traffic to your social media channels and sites. This provides a way for new audiences to stay engaged with your cause and what your organization is doing about it.

4. Be consistent about informing and educating others

Use every opportunity you have whether it be on social media, over email, or in person to educate people on the impact of their donation. This is most powerful and eye-opening if precise and detailed examples are used that clearly depict how their money can make an impact and what it can fund. Use relevant happenings, events, news, and informational studies as an opportunity to educate others about your cause.

5. Keep it up and don’t lose heart

There is still no guarantee that funds will start pouring in through donations. It can be disheartening to look at your data statistics and wonder why more isn’t coming in. Although all of these online technological advances are powerful, social fundraising still takes time and does not happen immediately. Keep at it, and you’ll see the efforts will pay off over time.

For more information about nonprofit fundraising and the intended outcomes of it through audits, contact us here at Beck and Company CPAs.

Do I Need to Have Special Insurance Coverage for My Fund Raising Event?

As we discussed last month, it’s important to hold fund raising events throughout the year to increase donor support and contributions. These events are often large-scale and require extensive planning to pull off effectively. While they certainly have the potential to bring in a substantial amount of funds, these events are also a significant risk for nonprofits. In order to help alleviate the risk that comes with planning large-scale fund raising events, nonprofits need to invest in the proper amount of insurance coverage.

What is a Special Event?
Before we discuss the intricacies of special event insurance, you need to know what a special event is. A special event, by definition, is an event that falls outside of a nonprofits core function (think large-scale fund raising events). Because these events are not the “norm”, nonprofit organizations are limited in their experience and knowledge regarding the requirements surrounding these types of functions. Risks at these types of events can range from personal injury and accidents to fraud and theft, cancellation due to unforeseen events, and nonappearances by featured performers or hosts. Additional coverage can ensure that your organization is protected from all of the associated risks.

What Coverage Do I Need?
Now that we’ve established what a special event is and why it’s important to have special insurance coverage for your fund raising events, we need to explain the type of coverage you’ll need. Special event insurance does exist, and it offers nonprofits great protection from lawsuits and claims brought by a third party; however, this insurance is generally expensive and is not practical if you a planning a single event. Depending on the type of fund raising event you’re hosting and your current insurance coverage, it might be more beneficial (not to mention cost-effective) to extend one of the following types of insurance policies rather than investing in special events insurance coverage. Any of the below insurance policies can be extending to cover your fund raising event:

Comprehensive/General Liability: CGL insurance will cover claims that allege property damage or bodily injury. In the case of a special event, this coverage can be extended to include volunteers, members, temporary workers, outside sponsors, board members, and landlords.
Fidelity: Fidelity bonds protect your organization against the loss of money or property due to dishonesty among staff or volunteers.
Product liability: This insurance offers protection against claims resulting from injury or loss as a result of product malfunction from products sold or distributed at the event.
Weather: This type of insurance covers the losses resulting from the cancellation of an event due to weather reasons. While it is particularly important to outdoor fund raising events, it is not restricted to outdoor events.
Directors and officers liability: D&O insurance protects an organization from claims arising from managing directors or governing officials of the organizations. It includes coverage for both high-ranking staff and the members of the board.
Nonowned/hired automobile liability: If your volunteers or staff are using their own vehicles during the event (or if you are renting cars or hiring drivers), you may need this type of insurance coverage.
Nonappearance/cancellation: If your event is structured around the appearance of a celebrity or performer, this type of coverage could come in handy should he or she cancel. It protects your organization against all losses when your guest of honor fails to appear.

Your current insurance policy most likely covers some of the areas listed above; however, to be sure, you need to contact your insurance provider and see if your event has adequate coverage. If not, ask if you can pay a one-time premium for additional coverage during your fund raising event. While it may not seem crucial or necessary pay for additional coverage, you will wish you had the protection should someone file a claim with your organization after the event.

Make sure you include event insurance coverage in your event planning tasks and solidify any insurance changes or adjustments prior to the event. With the proper amount of planning and foresight, you can ensure that your fund raising events occur without a hitch.

Are you looking for more information on event planning? Stay tuned to our blog for more tips on planning a flawless fund raising event.

Not-for-Profit Fund Raising Tips for the New Year

The beginning of the year translates into a fresh start for not-for-profit organizations. If your organization did not meet your year-end giving goals, now is the time to refocus your efforts and start planning for the year ahead. Many not-for-profits are reluctant to start planning their fund raising efforts this early in the year, especially if they just completed their year-end giving campaigns. While the beginning of the year may seem like the perfect time to put your fund raising efforts to rest, it is actually the most ideal time to start planning your fund raising strategies and goals.

By now you should have a good idea of where your organization stands in terms of financial support and stability, making it the perfect time to formulate a new fund raising plan. Every not-for-profit organization knows that fund raising changes year to year, and – in order to effectively meet your fund raising goals – you need to have a detailed plan in place that addresses the challenges your organization encountered last year. We’ve created several tips designed to help you spur on your fund raising plans for the New Year so you can focus your efforts on more mission-related activities in the months to come:

Set specific fund raising goals. Before you can even begin creating a fund raising plan, you need to have some goals in mind. Determine how much money you need to raise, when you need to raise it by, and estimate the costs for your fund raising initiatives. Write down these goals and share it with everyone in your organization.
Brainstorm fund raising ideas. Before you start analyzing what worked and what didn’t work last year, brainstorm some new fund raising ideas to use in upcoming campaigns. There are many possibilities where fundraisers are concerned – walk-a-thon events, galas, online charity auctions, and charity golf tournaments to name a few. Choose ones that work well for your organization and with your mission. Engage your staff and encourage their input from the start so they feel involved in the planning process.
Solidify a plan for your fund raising event. Once you’ve decided upon the type of fund raising event your organization is going to hold, it’s time to begin planning the details of the event. Create a written project plan detailing everything, from goals, timelines, roles, and responsibilities. Assign key staff and volunteers specific tasks and equip them with the tools they need to get the job done. Set a tentative date for your fund raising event, and create a detailed timeline and checklist outlining everything you need in preparation for the event.
Identify prospective donors and sponsors for each event. For each fund raising event, you will need to create a list of prospective donors and sponsors. The donors and sponsors you choose will vary depending on the type of event and audience. Be sure to include local businesses, coworkers, friends, and family in your list of prospects and ask your staff to do the same.
Spread the word about your fund raising event. You need to have a plan when it comes to marketing your event. Create a fund raising page on your website where you can collect online donations and generate interest for your fund raising events. Send out emails detailing your current fundraiser, publish press releases, and post listings on local event calendars. Spread the word on social media so all of your followers are aware of your organization’s effort.

How is your not-for-profit planning on gaining support this year? Do you have a strategic fund raising plan in place? Keep the above fund raising tips in mind as you continue into the New Year, and – if you have any further questions – give us a call today. We offer a variety of nonprofit services to help you meet all of your nonprofit management needs.