Jocelyn Harmon and Geoff Livingston had an interesting discussion this week on the perennial question, Is It Possible to Raise Money with Social Media? As I’ve suggested, Geoff pointed out that while social media can be used for fundraising, its main value is in building a social community that is engaged with your cause. While Facebook Causes has worked for some nonprofits, it doesn’t allow organizations to retain contributors’ contact information for further cultivation efforts. A private, house network may also be a viable option; Geoff offered the example of TuDiabetes.
At this week’s NYC 501 Tech Club meeting, I also gave a short presentation on the recently released Nonprofit Social Network Benchmark Report, which also analyzes the results of a survey of almost 1,200 nonprofit professionals conducted earlier this year. Search Twitter for #501techNYC for more details on meeting. Nten is also offering a webinar series which explores the State of Social Networking in the Nonprofit Sector 2010.
Another interesting topic is the intersection of Marketing and Fundraising, explored in the Fundraising Well (and also by Steve MacLaughlin in When Marketing and Fundraising Collide). Nancy Schwartz offers four ways that these departments can work better together:
- Start at the top. Your management team must support this partnership and establish a structure which facilitates collaboration.
- Articulate shared priorities to serve as the core of a common agenda.
- Focus on what’s working well in both areas – and do more of it
- Share success stories where collaboration has resulted in positive results with constituents.
Finally, has your organization considered mission inspired gifts / gift catalogs? Also see 7 Tips for Successful Online Fundraising.
