Tag Archives: Nonprofit Times

Thoughts After a Hurricane

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It’s been an eventful week in New York.  First, we were shaken by a rare East Coast earthquake.  Then, we were faced with a Hurricane Irene which forced many of us to relocate to higher ground.  While not as severe as anticipated, this weekend’s storm has caused massive damage and electrical outages for many.  I was extremely lucky;  my thoughts are with those who are facing major clean-up efforts.

Is your nonprofit prepared for a disaster?  Care2 offers a webinar this week on Surviving and Thriving When a Crisis Hits.    And while this week’s events were a major inconvenience, find a way to Put Your Cause in the Eye of the Storm to tell stories about how your organization helps its target audience.  Here are some Tools to Help Any Nonprofit Tell Stories Online from Amy Sample Ward.

For yet another reason to use social media, read why Nonprofits Are Expected to Use Social Media During Disasters.  For many great ideas on how to implement a social media strategy at your organization, learn from Jereme Bivins in his Social Media Case Study on how the Foundation Center uses Thrive and other tools.  Per Pew Internet, 65% of Online Adults Now Use Social Networking Sites.

Most of us make presentations, but it’s always challenging to keep listeners engaged, especially when you’re on a webinar.  I participated in last week’s Nonprofits Live: Great Presentations, offered by Tech Soup.  You can watch and listen to the event here or search the #nplive hashtag on Twitter  which include many of my comments.

Help Nten to make next spring’s Nonprofit Technology Conference the best yet by tweeting your ideas to #12NTC.  Work for a really great organization?  Nominate your organization as one of the 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For In 2012.

Random Thoughts at Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year since it encourages us to stop and think about what is already wonderful about our life.  No matter what is happening (or not happening) in your life, feeling grateful is probably the best way to bring more good things to you.  I hope this weekend has given you an opportunity to focus on what is already good, not on what you don’t currently have.  Everyone is blessed in different ways, although sometimes we are too ‘busy’ to recognize it.

Answr.net is an interesting new resource which offers best practices in nonprofit technology.  The first ‘channel of focus is email outreach – read some questions submitted so far.

As a follow up to my previous post about going forward with online communication despite the financial meltdown, Robert Weiner offers links to several articles about how nonprofits can survive the economic downturn.  Guidestar also has released a recent survey which offers comparisons between 2007 and 2008 giving levels.

Nonprofit Times offers a look at microblogging, as well as an interesting look at how to plan to utilize social networking tools.

Finally, Nten has released a Donor Management Software Satisfaction Report, which is worthwhile reading for anyone who is considering a change in CRM platform.  Some of the top rating products may be some that you’re not familar with, such as GiftWorks (which I’ve used and can recommend) and Neon CRM.

ePhilanthropy Ideas from Around the Web

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mStoner provides an interesting look at How Donors Use the Internet.  Interestingly, success of a nonprofit’s web site can’t only be judged by the level of online donations, since many visitors will check out an organization online but continue to give offline.

Nonprofit Times reviews a study which discusses the value of email addresses: Get an Email Address, Generate Income, as well as other trends in online giving.

Association of Fundraising Professionals discusses a survey that suggests that Integrated Fundraising Activities (are a) Key to Success and that using a variety of approaches is best, although reminds us that developing relationships and major gifts are still critical components..

Finally, the blog A Small Change suggests that fundraising no longer needs to be restricted by geography in Fundraising Without Borders.

The Importance of Nonprofit Boards

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When I first joined the nonprofit sector, I thought having a good working relationship with the Executive Director would insure my success with an organization.  Little did I realize the major role that a nonprofit organization’s board plays in guiding its direction.  At my current job, when the CEO left over a year ago and wasn’t replaced until six months later, the board was heavily involved in managing day to day decisions as well as longer term strategic planning.

BoardnetUSA, a web site sponsored by the Volunteer Consulting Group, provides a way for those interested in serving on a board to find organizations that are searching for new board members.  Other sites focused on nonprofit boards are BoardSourceand BoardCafe.

The NonProfit Times also recently highlighted the book, Building Better Boards which described five types of boards:

  1. passive – the traditional model where the board’s activity and participation is limited
  2. certifying – board certifies to stakeholders that the organization is being managed properly
  3. engaged – board partners with the CEO and oversees CEO & organization performance
  4. intervening – deeply involved in key decisions – most common during crises
  5. operating – deepest level of involvement – board makes key decisions and management implements them

It’s important that potential board members have a good understanding of what their role will involve before accepting the important responsibility of serving on a nonprofit board, especially if there will be a fundraising requirement.