Pamela Barden-A Hiker's Guide to Fundraising : FundRaising Success

Pamela Barden-A Hiker's Guide to Fundraising : FundRaising Success: With appreciation to Jerold Panas (FundRaising Success' 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award winner), who stimulated this article with a short piece he published several months ago comparing fundraising to white-water rafting, here are some tips from a hiker to energize your work as a fundraiser this fall.

Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills

October 23, 2012, 9:48 am

By Holly Hall

Pamela Loos, director of foundation and government relations at Philadelphia’s Woodmere Art Museum, wants to learn how she can branch out into other fundraising roles.

She writes:

What books and other recommendations would you give to someone with a background in raising money from foundations who wants to learn about raising money from individuals and corporations?

Our expert:

Ronald Schiller, senior vice president for business development at Lois L. Lindauer Searches, a national executive recruiting firm that places fundraisers in senior-level jobs.

Penny theft starts flood of donations

Penny theft starts flood of donations: "The theft of a 5-gallon water bottle filled with pennies and dollar bills, donated to the Santa Maria Natural History Museum, has turned into an unexpected payoff for the nonprofit organization."

James Boyce: Once Again, Business Shows Nonprofits the Future

James Boyce: Once Again, Business Shows Nonprofits the Future: "I would wager a lot of nonprofits are taking in about 10 percent of their revenue from 'digital' sources right now, the same as Barnes & Noble, but Barnes & Noble knows that to reach the goal of 31 percent, and to meet or exceed what the marketplace is doing, they will have to dedicate real resources, and a real focus on changing their business model to capture that market share. They will objectively look at present trends and make an informed strategic decision about the future and execute to that decision.

And how many large nonprofits can say they are doing that?"

Thrift stores fall on hard times | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Thrift stores fall on hard times | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun: "“There are definitely some organizations that rely on (thrift shops) quite a bit,” said Michael Nilsen, senior director of public affairs for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va. “Having a thrift shop is part of your income, but it's not your typical fundraising.”"

The NonProfit Times - Immerse Your Donors In You

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "September 17, 2009



Philanthropic training and immersion appears to be an effective way of encouraging donors to contribute more money and spend more time volunteering, according to a recent report published by The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at USC.

The findings stem from research examining donor socialization within Social Venture Partners International, an organization aimed at improving communities by enlisting donors to contribute their time as well as their money. The donors – called “partners” – join local “SVP” affiliates by giving $5,000 or more annually to a pooled fund. Partners also volunteer for the nonprofits they fund and participate in educational and collaborative decision-making activities."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "August 27, 2009

It Was Christmas In July For Salvation Army

By Mark Hrywna

In Nashville, it was a full month. In Philadelphia, it was every Wednesday in July. In New York, it was a full week. In each case, The Salvation Army’s Christmas in July campaign had one goal: to raise more money to handle the continuing increase in requests for essential services.

The Christmas in July campaigns are a decision that local units made to meet increased needs in their areas, according to Jaime Joswick, public relations specialist at The Salvation Army National Headquarters in Alexandria, Va. A program was initiated in as many as two dozen chapters around the country."

Business & Technology | Mobile giving is catching on | Seattle Times Newspaper

Business & Technology | Mobile giving is catching on | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Giving should be easy, it should be fun and it should be rewarding,' said Jim Manis, chief executive of the Mobile Giving Foundation, a Bellevue-based nonprofit that provides technology for charitable organizations to run mobile campaigns."

The NonProfit Times -Shrinking Universe When It Comes To House File

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Shrinking Universe When It Comes To House Files

Nonprofits appear to be cutting back on solicitation volume, focusing on their current donor files and trying to reactivate lapsed donors during this economic downturn.

“We’re seeing volumes on lists across the board decrease,” said Diana Estremera, senior vice president at May Development Services, a division of Direct Media, in Greenwich, Conn. “That’s a drag because if you’re trying to achieve quantity, it forces you to go to outside lists that are out of their core range,” she said."

Even in tough times, nonprofits can grow

Even in tough times, nonprofits can grow: "o what can a struggling nonprofit do to make a compelling case for funding even while its benefactors are struggling, too?

First, realize that a strong and effective marketing and public relations/donor relations program can be built gradually. This is critical. Far too many nonprofits and small businesses doom themselves to fundraising Siberia because they assume they can't afford a sophisticated marketing program. Their mistake is in thinking that some organization they respect started with a huge program all at once. In truth, most begin with baby steps."

CharityVillage ® Research: Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t

CharityVillage ® Research: Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t: "Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t
Bob McMahon By Bob McMahon, CA
February 23, 2009

The world certainly feels topsy-turvy right now. Each day seems to bring new challenges to the economy...and new financial challenges for nonprofits. Your donations may be diminishing. Government funding may be declining. Membership may be falling. Sales may be receding. Any of these developments can challenge the financial stability of a nonprofit. Even organizations with healthy reserves are likely impacted by the turmoil in the financial markets, with investments taking a punch."

Nonprofits ask for less this year | blake.aued@onlineathens.com

Nonprofits ask for less this year | blake.aued@onlineathens.com: "Requests for money from so-called independent agencies - nonprofits and quasi-government groups that are not part of the county government but perform tasks deemed vital to the community - are down about $200,000 this year."

CatholicCourier - Top Stories

CatholicCourier - Top Stories: "'It'll be a tight year for (funding agencies,)' said Frank J. Butler, president of the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, or FADICA, an association of 50 private foundations and charitable agencies. 'They're all trying to live up to the commitments they've made. They're struggling like the average person would.'

Butler said local nonprofit agencies will face more competition from each other for funding and that they will be required more than ever to demonstrate they 'have the very best practices in the way they operate.'

'If you have a good charity and it's run well, you shouldn't be that worried,' he said. 'Your donors are going to stick with you.'"

Little raised over phone goes to charity | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Little raised over phone goes to charity | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register: "Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a trade organization representing nearly 30,000 professional fundraisers, said a median return to charities of 24 percent is low, even in hard times.

'You would like to see that reversed,' Nilsen said, adding that hard-and-fast guidelines are difficult. 'Some companies are going to have some legitimate reasons for those low percentages, and some aren't.'"

allAfrica.com: Kenya: Where Goats Take to the Track to Loosen Donors' Purse (Page 1 of 1)

allAfrica.com: Kenya: Where Goats Take to the Track to Loosen Donors' Purse (Page 1 of 1): "The East African Women League, which was founded 91 years ago in Kenya by women associated with the colonial civil servants, have been involved in charitable ventures throughout East Africa but the goat derby sticks out as the most beautiful and enjoyable event. The derby started in Uganda."

Dallas comic-book store takes part in charity marathon | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News

Dallas comic-book store takes part in charity marathon | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News: "Comic-book artists stayed up late over the weekend – some for 24 hours straight – working on books and raising money for the Hero Initiative, a nonprofit corporation that helps struggling comic artists."

Charities brace for drop in donations as need rises - St. Louis Business Journal:

Charities brace for drop in donations as need rises - St. Louis Business Journal:: "Many organizations are anticipating a downturn in annual giving, but it’s too soon to predict what the full impact will be, according to Brett Schott, vice president for advancement at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and president of the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Donations boost Shareheat program: Rutland Herald Online

Donations boost Shareheat program: Rutland Herald Online: "Donations boost Shareheat program

September 23, 2008

By Bruce Edwards Herald Staff

A number of companies have pledged matching funds to help needy Vermonters meet their heating bills this winter when families might have to choose between food and heat.

So far, the companies have donated or pledged a total of $87,000 toward Shareheat — the 21-year-old fuel assistance program started by Central Vermont Public Service Corp."

NMSU student cycles across nation to benefit charity - El Paso Times

NMSU student cycles across nation to benefit charity - El Paso Times: "LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University vice president of Associated Students recently rode his bike across the country for charity.

'Until you've done it, you really don't know' what it's like bike-riding through 32 different states and 180 different cities in a span of just 70 days, he said in a New Mexico State news release."

Donor Power Blog: How political fundraising impacts charitable giving

Jeff posts on the topic of the intersection of Political and charitable fundraising.

Donor Power Blog: How political fundraising impacts charitable giving: "How political fundraising impacts charitable giving

Some fundraisers are living in mortal fear of the coming US presidential election. Not over who might or might not win, but over the awe-inspiring amounts of money the candidates and parties are raising. They're scooping up all our donations, you might be crying."