A question for nonprofits right now is what we can do as marketers to shore up our organization’s financial position as we weather this prolonged crisis. 

One option is to seek out new donors, but that can be an expensive way to go - about 10 times more expensive than retaining a current donor. But you’ve probably reached out to your current donor base (possibly more than once) during this challenging time. 

Where else can you turn? 

Well, there is a group that...

Right now, during this confounding and troubling time, your nonprofit has a dual role.

The first is the stated goal embodied by your mission statement. Whether you’re promoting education, fighting food insecurity, sheltering the homeless, protecting animals, raising the next generation of entrepreneurs, curing disease or providing culture to the masses, you’re helping to heal the world. 

But you’re also providing a space where people can take a stand. At a time when we...

For two months now, we’ve focused on topics to help nonprofits deal with the challenges of the coronavirus, with an eye on coming out stronger on the other side of this pandemic. And in the spirit of emerging with more confidence in marketing our missions, I wanted to take a small dive into the M+R Benchmark Report. 

Because this report, released just a couple of weeks ago, is telling me that the steps we have taken during the era of COVID-19 are actually what we might want to be...

#GivingTuesdayNow is right around the corner and your nonprofit should be there. This day of global giving and unity is the financial and feel-good event we have all been needing during the coronavirus pandemic. 

It’s got big backers (Bill & Melinda Gates, PayPal, and Ford among many others) and lots of media coverage (NBC is a big sponsor) so you know awareness is going to be high. And it’s very different from the traditional #GivingTuesday right after Thanksgiving that...

It has been hard times for many nonprofits as passionate, heart-centered professionals to try to market their mission and get the support they need - or just keep things afloat during these unusual times. 

Recently, when I asked the almost 200 members of the Smart Marketing for Small Nonprofits Facebook Group what they needed from me most right now, they overwhelmingly said fundraising ideas. Which makes perfect sense; this is the time when we typically host our galas, Spring Flings,...

There is one big hit that many nonprofits are facing right now - the cancellation or postponement of events that they were counting on to raise needed support to continue their missions.  

From Spring Galas, to fundraising walks and runs, notices of postponements and cancellations keep pouring in. Nonprofits are being forced to make what might feel like untenable decisions. 

But the good news is that there is a Plan B - a way to fill the fundraising gap digitally.

There are...

Major donors to nonprofits are a different breed - and it’s not only because of the size of their gifts. 

Studies show that they tend to be the most consistent supporters of nonprofit organizations, giving year after year, even during economic downturns. They might have a greater feeling of ownership in your organization and are more concerned with the bigger picture. Typically, major donors aren’t just there to support this program or that initiative; they are...

#GivingTuesday is eight weeks away.

Last year, individuals, civic coalitions, nonprofit organizations, schools and businesses in all 50 states raised more than $380 million online in the U.S. alone during the 24-hour event, which will be Dec. 3 this year. 

It’s still possible to run a #GivingTuesday 2019 campaign that will benefit your nonprofit - regardless of your size - if you start planning now. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• The powerful story behind #GivingTuesday...

Beyond good manners, why is it important to thank people for their donations? 

In addition to the practical reason of acknowledging the gift and sending a receipt, saying thank you can be the start - or continuation - of a beautiful partnership with your benefactor.

It’s your chance to educate them about the impact their gift will have; to make them more aware of how they, by donating to you, are helping to change the world. And every time you do - because you should thank...

As smart marketers, you know there are a lot of marketing options for your nonprofit to consider - for outreach, for advocacy and to engage supporters. Your job is to find what works best, is most efficient and delivers the best results. 

It will always mean experimentation and evolving your approach. You’ll need to try and try again to find what works. But there are ways to minimize the risk, the time, and the sheer frustration as you discover what has the most impact for...