Tag Archives: Red Cross

ePhilanthropy Highlights from eNonprofit Benchmarks Study, 501TechNYC Meeting

Posted on by
1

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.

Learning from Nonprofit Leaders at Baruch

Posted on by
Reply

Last week my alma mater announced the creation of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management, featuring monthly seminars focused on the nonprofit community.  The opening event was a one-day conference where leaders of about a dozen organizations offered their views on what has made them successful, focusing heavily on board relations, fundraising and overall management strategies:

  • Theresa Bischoff, CEO of American Red Cross, Greater NY suggested “getting the best people – they will make you successful.”  In addition, “learn from everyone in your organization – teachers are everywhere.”
  • Sister Paulette LoMonaco, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services, also emphasized the importance of building a strong team, “don’t be afraid to have people on your team that know more than you.”  She also asked that any new programs be strictly evaluated to make sure they relate to the organization mission.
  • Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, President, Hispanic Federation, suggested asking good questions, but “at an appropriate time”;  she also stressed the importance of public speaking and stretching your comfort zone.
  • David Jones, President / CEO, Community Service Society, pointed out that the distinctions between for-profit and not-for-profit are starting to blur and described his efforts to reshape his organization’s board
  • Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service and former NYC mayoral candidate spoke despite having a horrible cold.  Following up on David’s comments, she mentioned how many of us will move back and forth between for-profit and nonprofit, thus the importance of transferable skills.  In fundraising, she advised that we ask prospects for a specific amount of money based on our best judgment of what they can give, andthen do not speak. Finally, Ruth asked that board members understand their fiduciary responsibility, not simply joining because they are friends with the Executive Director.
  • Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, CEO, Safe Space and past commissioner of several NYC agencies, said that sometimes it might be worthwhile to take a cut in pay to take a good opportunity
  • Ronna Brown, President, NY Regional Association of Grantmakers, discussed how the board’s role is to rock the boat;  usually the staff wants to keep things as they are.
  • Lucy Cabrera, President / CEO, Food Bank for New York City: “Board members are your bosses, not your friends.”  She advised getting to know your board personally (“take them to lunch individually”) and added that changing one board person can dramatically change board dynamics and decisions
  • Darwin Davis, President, NY Urban League, advised to ‘give your best, no matter what job you have’ and to establish relationships with other department heads (not just your boss).  He also got probably the biggest laugh of the day by reminding us that working for a 501(c)3 doesn’t mean leaving at 5:01 PM.
  • Linda Selvin, Executive Director, NY Branch of International Dyslexia, followed up on Ruth’s comments, saying that the board’s purpose is not primarily to agree with the ED.  She also suggested getting to know each board member individually to “understand what each if passionate about.”  Interestingly, she pointed out how there may be more opportunity to shine by joining a struggling organization, as she did 8 years ago .

Congratulations to Jack Krauskopf, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Mangement, for coordinating such an inspiring program.  Since there wasn’t much mention at the conference of ephilanthropy or how nonprofits have successfully implemented online strategies, can I help with a follow up event on this topic?