Tag Archives: city harvest

ePhilanthropy Highlights from eNonprofit Benchmarks Study, 501TechNYC Meeting

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Attemded a webinar today highlighting the recently released 2012 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study. authored by M&R Strategic Services and the Nonprofit Technology Network.  Some interesting takeaways:

  • The average email open rate has ‘steadied’ at 14% (is this supposed to be good?) but some nonprofits get better results by segmentation, localization & personalization.
  • While mobile devices accounted for 15-20% of email opens, those who read email on phones are less likely to click thru and take action.  But it can also help if the email is formatted to look good on a small screen.  Here’s tips on how to do it.
  • The Red Cross demonstrated why segmentation doesn’t have to be difficult, identifying donors by monthly, institutional, emergency, lapsed and non-donors.
  • Monthly donors constantly outperformed other segments.  (For a great example of a nonprofit that realizes this, take a look at City Harvest Rescue Partners campaign that specifically asks for monthly gifts.)
  • While segmentation can improve email results, it will make even more of a difference if you prepare great content – as well as an engaging subject line.

Tonight I attended the monthly 501 Tech NYC get-together, which featured a capacity crowd at the NYC Foundation Center to hear takeaways from the recent Nonprofit Technology Conference.  Would you believe 10 presenters offered mini-versions of their event sessions?  Some highlights:

  • US Fund for Unicef‘s Porter Mason stressed the neglected art of AB testing – emails, web pages, social media posts and added that ‘coding links must become normal practice.’  Take a look at WhichTestWon to test your instincts on what works best.
  • Big Duck‘s Farra Trompeter (recently honored with a Community Award at the Nonprofit Tech Conference) offered an interesting flow chart approach to Is It Time to Rethink Your Website.  Important reminder – the work doesn’t end when your new website is rolled out, it’s an ongoing task.
  • Causevox‘s Rob Wu finished the evening with tips on how to tell compelling stories, e.g. don’t talk about your organization, talk about your cause and your supporters.  Also, get everyone involved – not only the marketing / communications folks.

If you weren’t able to attend today’s events, make sure you download the eNonprofit Benchmarks Study and follow our 501 Tech NYC group on Facebook to stay informed.

Why Everyone is in Communications

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If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you’re probably familiar with my theme that if you work for a nonprofit, you should be involved with fundraising, even if you don’t work in Development.  In my work with nonprofits for over ten years, I’ve helped to raise money online by project managing online campaigns and have worked directly with many fundraisers.  Although I’ve usually focused on technology, in my latest gig I’ve been part of a Communications group.

This week’s post by Big Duck on Embedding Communicators in Your Nonprofit explains how the role of Communications has changed as many more staff members are now speaking publicly about their organizations in blogs and in social media platforms.  So while Communications may still be considered the ‘official’ voice for channels such as the organization’s main web site, press releases, enewsletters, annual reports etc., there are many more opportunities for staff to spread the word about their nonprofit’s work. Rather than something that needs to be ‘controlled,’ this should be viewed as an opportunity to increase an organization’s outreach.

This trend also points to the importance of developing a social media policy, which I mentioned in this post earlier this year, so nonprofit staff have guidelines on how to talk about their nonprofit both online and off.

I’ve noticed that the most successful nonprofits often have environments where staff routinely collaborate, regardless of what department they work in.  This is especially important when implementing online initiatives, which require the participation of technology, communications and development staff.  It’s no surprise that this is most easily done in smaller nonprofits, such as Charity:Water, which I recently profiled, and Harlem Academy, which this week won the main prize at the New York Times Company 2011 Nonprofit Excellence Awards.   (Congrats also to City Harvest and Sanctuary for Families who were also recognized, as well as semi-finalists City Parks Foundation, Heart of Brooklyn and NYC Outward Bound.)

Recommendation – don’t think that only Development raises funds and only Communications represents your organization to the public.  It may have been that way in the past, but not today.

Some of My Favorite Nonprofits

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These are some organizations I support either financially, as a volunteer, or both:

G-ds Love We Deliver provides food deliveries to anyone suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other serious illnesses, as well as nutrition education and counseling.  I’ve helped in the kitchen to prepare food, and also to help deliver meals as a van assistant.  Mazon fights hunger as does City Harvest which salvages leftovers from food businesses in NYC.

The Wartburg is an adult care community in Mount Vernon, NY.  Many types of living arrangements are provided, from assisted living to 24 hour care.  Just spending a little time with a resident can make a huge difference.  Dorot also does great work with seniors, including programs which bring together the young and the old.

Southern Poverty Law Center helps fight intolerance through a variety of programs, such as the educational program Teaching Tolerance.  The Museum of Tolerance, affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, is based in Los Angeles but also has a wonderful exhibit in midtown Manhattan.

The Save Darfur Coalition and Charity: Water have used a variety of online fundraising / outreach tools to promote their causes, both which are well worth supporting.

Despite the tragic loss of its founders, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation continues to seek a cure for spinal cord injury and support those who are afflicted by paralysis.  YAI recently won an award as the best nonprofit to work for in NYC.  So not only do they do great work to support the disabled, but they provide a nice work environment.

And of course don’t forget those organizations which serve the nonprofit community, Idealware and Nten.

While it’s nice to get a tax deduction, it’s especially rewarding to help a nonprofit that helps others year-round, whether financially or by the gift of your time.

What are your favorite causes to support?