Esther Amunga, MNA, ACNP, CNP, GradPR’s Post

When we set up Impact Marathon we wrote in our values and goals that we intended to always see fundraising outstrip the cost of entry. This intent has been at the top of our goal list every year since then. We have succeeded a few times, but we are not consistently achieving this goal. One thing we have never done, and remains a red line, is to set an individual fundraising target - we have always wanted to let you choose a target that pushes you, that inspires you, and that is connected to the way a project touches you. We want you to be excited to go out to your community to fundraise and share a story you deeply care about. We want that target to mean something to you, not us, but you, personally. Beginning this Friday, when you register for any Impact Marathon, you will have the option at checkout to reduce the cost by committing to a minimum level of fundraising. By choosing the Commit To Impact option you will be massively contributing to how we plan the impact project. We will be able to work with our partners knowing there is a guaranteed amount coming in, and plan out the project much further in advance. This will give our charity partners a stronger foundation to build on as they will know how much they can commit to the project, thereby elevating your impact. We are excited to have this mid-point option that serves to reward your commitment to fundraising, with our contribution to your costs.

Twelve Percent A post by Steven Screen At a conference this summer, I was asked to speak about “why and how to use direct mail.” I began with the following statistic (from Blackbaud): Last year the percentage of charitable giving donated through online sources was 12%. The 12% figure was a total surprise to a significant portion of the audience. I heard one person say, “Wait, WHAT?” It’s easy to understand why so many people were surprised; the fundraising world is mainly populated with people under 40, and people under 40 do almost everything online. Plus, most of the people were from smaller nonprofits so they didn’t have the context that comes from working in larger, mature fundraising programs. If you, too, are incredulous that just 12% of funds are coming in online for most organizations, let me share some helpful thoughts for you and your organization. ➡ If your organization is raising more than 12% of your revenues online, that’s fantastic, you’re ahead of the curve. Online fundraising is growing (though not as quickly as everyone assumed it would), so it’s a strength to be getting good at raising money online. ➡ If you’re doing well raising money online, it almost certainly means you could successfully raise money offline. This will give your organization another regular, dependable stream of income. Note: if you’ve tried raising money offline and failed, it most likely means the campaign wasn’t executed well, as opposed to meaning that “offline donors don’t like us.” ➡ You actively want to have an online fundraising program *and* an offline fundraising program because they reinforce each other. It’s a “1 + 1 = 3” situation. An offline program reaches people who aren’t reached by email. An online program reminds people that they forgot to give to the piece of direct mail they set down when the phone rang. So, what percentage of your organization’s revenues come in online? And regardless of your percentage, we recommend developing *both* strong online and offline fundraising programs. The average age of a donor in the U.S. is around 68, so you need both programs if you want to reach both today’s donors and tomorrow’s.

Is successful fundraising really a by-product of charity impact? I heard someone say this recently and my hackles rose! There are too many examples of charities that do wonderful, important, impactful things closing due to a lack of funding for this to be the case. There is a synergy between impact and income: they are not mutually exclusive. Successful fundraising is underpinned by charity impact, it is as much a 'product' of a charity as its frontline work. Here's a few ways that income and impact work together: 📝 Strategic planning. You have your objectives: how much will it cost to meet them? How much are you willing to invest in the work to raise this money? *Now* how much will it cost in total? And what are your contingency plans for if you don't meet the income targets? 📣 Storytelling. Fundraising thrives on stories: stories that connect with people and encourage them to become supporters. The best, most authentic stories are those from the frontline. Enable a thru-line between teams so they can all share the stories of your impact because it will make everyone's job that little bit easier. ↪ Connections and 'conversions'. Often the people and communities you reach and support most effectively will become the strongest advocates for your work. As advocates, one of the most valuable things they can do is help you raise money to help the next person or community. They may not have their own money to donate, but they have networks and they have a story to tell. These relationships rarely sit with fundraisers though, and there can be a nervousness among those who aren't fundraisers to even mention the 'f' or the 'm' word. Again, enable a thru-line between these teams and everyone's job will be that little bit easier. 📊 Reporting. Some donors and funders (and journalists) like stats more than stories. A case study brings the colour, but they need to know the facts and figures. It's not always clear who's responsible for impact measurement in an organisation, which means that fundraisers can end up trying to find the facts and figures from those on the frontline. This is rarely ideal! Alternatively if it is clear who's responsible for impact evaluation then ideally they're bezzie mates with the fundraising team. Ideally! Consider all of this in the round (see strategic planning above). What have I missed? In what other operational ways do income and impact work together?

There's no way around it - fundraising is changing a lot right now, and quickly too! ⁠ ⁠ COMMENT ZEFFY and We will Send you the link !!⁠ ⁠ But instead of seeing this as a challenge, I like to see it as an opportunity to test new strategies. As leaders, as long as we're willing to evolve and experiment, we'll be just fine 😊⁠ ⁠ ⁠ I hear from many of my clients and students that one of their biggest struggles is generating enough funds.⁠ ⁠ If this is you, don't get discouraged - but it might be the perfect time to try a new strategy in your business.⁠ ⁠ Enter ... 🥁⁠ ⁠ Zeffy.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Zeffy isn't just another fundraising tool. It's a powerful and unique platform designed to maximize your fundraising efforts and simplify your operations!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Here's what makes Zeffy different: it’s specifically built for non-profits, ensuring you get the most out of every donation, with no transaction fees!⁠ ⁠ If you've been struggling to generate enough funds recently, Zeffy could be the perfect strategy to experiment with.⁠ ⁠ That's why I'm so excited to share that Zeffy has an impressive 4.8 score on Capterra, (4.8 out of 5.0) making it a top choice for fundraising solutions.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ➜ Check out Zeffy - Comment ZEFFY and We will Send You the LINK. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Here's exactly what Zeffy offers👇⁠ ⁠ 🙌 Eliminate transaction fees and keep 100% of your donations⁠ 🚀 Simplify your fundraising with intuitive tools and integrations⁠ 🔁 Access detailed analytics to drive your fundraising strategies⁠ ✨ Customize your donation forms to reflect your brand⁠ 🎉 Enjoy top-notch support and resources to maximize your success⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ And these benefits REALLY caught our attention⁠ ⁠ Zeffy offers a wide range of online fundraising tools (donations, campaigns, ticket & item sales, memberships...).⁠ ⁠ Unlimited and free customer support.⁠ ⁠ Add Post to Link in Bio PageEdit in Linkin.bio

Wondering how you’re going to reach your #fundraising goals this year? 🎯 With these 5️⃣ research-based fundraising tips, you can take your next campaign to new heights: 💡 Suggest donation amounts: Guide donors with recommended contributions 🤝 Engage your board: Show unity in your mission with board contributions 📣Use action-oriented language: Encourage participation with positive, inviting language 💚 Leverage emotional imagery: Connect on an emotional level to boost generosity 🎁 Highlight the significance of the gift: Emphasize donations as personal and meaningful Remember: the technology you choose to execute is just as important as the strategies themselves, so don’t limit your impact with outdated fundraising tools. Discover how Qgiv fundraising and DonorSearch wealth prospecting tools can help you raise more in less time. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aRigU7

In the dynamic world of digital fundraising, the recent phase-out of Facebook's "Donate Now" feature represents a transformative moment for nonprofits. This development paves the way for a superior fundraising solution: LikePay, the next-generation platform designed to maximize your fundraising efforts with groundbreaking efficiency and effectiveness. Cost Efficiency: LikePay revolutionizes the fundraising landscape with the lowest transaction fees in Ireland. This means every penny of your donations goes further, directly supporting your cause. With LikePay, your organization can enjoy more funds for your mission, without the drain of unnecessary expenses. Ease of Use: At LikePay, we understand that complexity should never hinder charity. That’s why we’ve developed a platform that is both intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring that donors and organizations can connect effortlessly. The simplicity of LikePay not only makes giving easy but also makes fundraising a joyful and stress-free experience for your team. Versatility in Fundraising: Whether you're hosting a large-scale event or a focused online campaign, LikePay is equipped with versatile tools that adapt to your unique fundraising needs. Our platform supports a myriad of fundraising models, empowering you to engage with donors in ways that resonate most with your community. Unwavering Support: LikePay stands out by being more than just a platform; we are your committed partner in philanthropy. Our dedicated team is always on standby, ready to assist you in every aspect of your fundraising journey, ensuring that you achieve—and exceed—your goals. The retirement of Facebook’s Donate Now feature opens a new chapter for nonprofits ready to embrace better, more effective fundraising solutions. Join the LikePay community today and empower your organization to reach its full potential. Together, let's transform the landscape of giving and make a real difference in the world. Book your free consultation here: https://lnkd.in/dDVeTtUd

Why You Want to Always Be Fundraising I've heard that fantasy expressed many times in my career. Imagine if ... We raised so much .. or if someone gave us so much Or If we developed another source of revenue... or If we built our endowment large enough... WE WOULDN'T NEED TO FUNDRAISE ANY MORE! I'm sorry but you don't want that misplaced fantasy to come true. If you didn't have to fundraise: You'd stop imagining a greater good you could provide You'd stop trying to develop relationships, build coalitions and create a stronger community of shared purpose You'd stop putting "imagine-what-ifs" in front of people of means and influence You'd stop listening to potential donors and learning about what you're missing or failed to consider You wouldn't seek out smart, savvy and wise people and be the better for interacting with them You'd stop wondering about why other organizations were mobilizing more support and what you could learn from them You wouldn't learn how to sharpen your mission message through trial and error You'd stop mobilizing your organization around realizing it's greater mission promise You'd stop seeing your assumptions turned on their head, and becoming the humbler and wiser for it All those activities are more important than the actual money raised. That's how organizations remain aspirational, adaptive, strategic, responsive and relevant. That's what smart fundraising does for an organization - but so much fundraising doesn't come close to living up to those larger purposes. If you didn't have to fundraise, your organization would lull itself into a self-satisfied stupor and doze into irrelevance. Of course if you fundraise only for the sake of raising funds, you achieve the same, just more slowly.

How can AI help your nonprofit generate more income during the Great Wealth Transfer? Daniel Stevens from Windfall has the scoop on The Giving Institute member blog. https://lnkd.in/eaUkMteD #WealthTransfer #AIFundraising #NonprofitTrends #PlannedGiving

Money Talks. But in the nonprofit world, it whispers promises of change. Imagine a world where every dollar you donate turns into a lifeline for someone in need. That's the power of fundraising for nonprofits. Yet, the reality is starkly different. With the digital age upon us, the landscape of fundraising is evolving, but many nonprofits are struggling to keep up. Why? Because traditional methods are losing their charm. Gala events, cold calls, and mailers are no longer the only answer. The future? It's digital, it's personal, and it's transparent. Innovative platforms are emerging, making it easier for nonprofits to connect with their audience. Crowdfunding, social media campaigns, and virtual events are not just buzzwords; they're the new norm. These tools empower small and large nonprofits alike to tell their stories, engage with their communities, and raise the necessary funds to make a difference. But here's the catch. With great power comes great responsibility. The digital world demands authenticity, creativity, and consistency. Your story needs to resonate, your mission must be clear, and your impact should be visible. The question is, are we ready to embrace this change? Are we prepared to leverage technology to not only meet but exceed our fundraising goals? Let's start a conversation. Share your experiences with nonprofit fundraising in the comments below. What strategies have worked for you? What challenges are you facing? Together, we can redefine fundraising and help our nonprofits thrive in the digital age.