Religious Fundraising
Posted by Judy Keller in Donor Cultivation, Faith-Based Giving, Technology on October 12th, 2009
Here’s an excellent article for anyone involved in fundraising for a faith-based organization:
www.nptimes.com/instantfund/09Oct/IF-091008-1.html
Reality Bytes: This Thing Called ‘Blog’
Posted by Jennifer Furla in Fundraising in a Recession, Technology on September 25th, 2009
Fall’s here. School’s begun, as have fall sports and Scouts, and a full roster of fall educational programs and speaking engagements for our firm. But just as the fall breezes have ushered in a flurry of activity, they also seem to have swept out my resolve to keep up with our blog.
Right now, blogging and social media are “to do’s” on my schedule. I think of them as a great way to capture and share thoughts — and Lord knows I have a lot to say — but, different from the ‘digital natives’ some 20 years younger, it’s not a natural habit for me.
I wonder how many of you share this same dilemma? Things heat up each fall in the nonprofit world. This fall, with a little more confidence in the economy and our nonprofits’ unique ability to “absorb” economic shocks, the level of activity is a welcome relief.
But what does that do to our resolve to blog, tweet — and more importantly phone, visit and thank — our donors and supporters? Time management 101 says don’t neglect the important but not urgent. Until it becomes a natural habit, blogging and all this social media must continue to be an item on my to do list. Important, but not urgent. But, important they are.
So, I’m laying it out there. Announcing to the world — or at least our blogging community — a renewed commitment to tend to this thing called “blog” as my own little personal reminder to keep up with the important, but not urgent.
How Full Is Your Glass?
Posted by JBA in Campaign Planning & Management, Donor Cultivation, Fundraising in a Recession on September 15th, 2009
In today’s challenging fundraising environment, I am continually reminded of the old saying “is your glass half full or half empty?” Viewing your challenges as opportunities for positive change classifies you as a “glass half full” person. We should all be striving for a “full glass of opportunities” if we are to be successful at our jobs in today’s world.
I don’t know about you, but I have very little room in my life these days for the glass half empty person. They steal my energy and passion for my work. They create a sense of negativity in meetings and planning sessions when they say we cannot raise money now and maybe should not even be trying! I cannot imagine encouraging our clients to stop fundraising because times are tough – we just need to think of new opportunities that will boost our efforts right now and into the future.
So, given that I am definitely that “glass full to the top” person, what are some of the opportunities where we can focus our energies with the ultimate goals of stabilizing our resources and raising more money?
Here is what fills my glass these days: (Click to Read)
Are You Ready to Renew, Refresh & Recover?
Posted by JBA in Campaign Planning & Management, Fundraising in a Recession on September 3rd, 2009
What should I be doing during a recession to grow my fundraising? When is the right time to begin a capital or major gifts campaign? Am I thriving or just surviving? Sound familiar?
At Jeffrey Byrne & Associates we’ve heard many of these same questions from clients and our friends in philanthropy.
We also asked if it was a good time for a capital campaign workshop and here is what we heard:
“We’ve never experienced an economy like this. What should we do?”
Parts of the fundraising process are changing daily as we experience conditions not seen in 40 years. But many best-practices in fundraising are valid and working well for nonprofits across the nation. Regardless of your capital project timeline, now is the perfect time to focus on the plan, adapt to the conditions and improve your likelihood of conducting a successful campaign.
“A capital campaign isn’t on our radar right now.”
Many nonprofits have deferred their campaign for now. But many others have needs that can’t be deferred and must be met now. A capital campaign workshop that addresses effective planning both long and short term will help any organization be more focused and better prepared for success.
Now is the perfect time to renew, refresh and recover. Join us for an upcoming workshop in Kansas City and later this fall in other cities we serve. Read more about the workshop series and curriculum.
A Strategy for Coping with Financial Stress in the Senior Living Industry
Posted by jbacon in Fundraising in a Recession on August 21st, 2009
Senior Living Advisor, 3B Fund Development Group
In his July 17 blog, “The Ends of the Earth”, the President of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), Larry Minnix, challenged the AAHSA network to not simply cope with the fact that the economy is oppressive to the senior living industry, but instead to take advantage of the fact that health reform is a national priority and therefore ADVOCATE to include long-term services and supports in health care reform.
One area to link coping with advocacy is with financial operations. It is difficult to cope with the realities of financial management these days. Not only has the federal and state faucet to fund Medicaid and Medicare slowed down to a drip, it has become almost dried up with daily new regulations. And then there is the reality of refinancing. Now that interest rates on bond issues have become so high, there is no point in trying to interest bankers in the exercise. Yet, capital needs remain critical as outdated equipment needs to be replaced and structures age.
Per Minnix’s advice to “revolutionize our work in very creative and constructive ways,” 3B Fund Development, a strategic partner of Jeffrey Byrne & Associates, Inc. that serves the senior living industry, recommends that organizations engage in private fundraising to support their financial goals. Creative fundraising strategies can increase capital, while simultaneously involving members of a senior living community: residents, Board members, staff and friends.
Properly planned fund development campaigns marshal talent and energy, while communicating to your constituents and stakeholders why fulfilling your mission is vital to your community, and therefore the importance of supporting operational stability with their financial commitment. Let us know how you are coping with economic stresses and advocating for the senior living as you navigate the turbulent waters of our current financial storm.