Category Archives: volunteers

Nonprofits Giving Back

Giving is something people do for nonprofits. Giving back is how the nonprofit returns the favor, so to speak. We feature in articles how people give back to others. It opens the door to a giving mentality, which is good in any walk of life. Interested in sharing how you give back? Send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org/ This opportunity is open to anyone! OR, Schedule a call

Operation Care International

Operation Care International is a homeless and impoverished ministry providing personal items, blue jeans, winter gear, bottled water and bibles in the streets of Dallas. Susie Jennings is the Founder and President of the mission. It all started with her mission to give blankets to the homeless under a bridge in 1993.

Susie, how does your organization give back to donors and sponsors?

  • We thank them with personal phone calls
  • We give them a photo album, which includes them serving at our event
  • We send a video and report of the event
  • We send testimonial videos
  • We put their names in event programs
  • We make them honorary chairs
  • We take them to lunch
  • We send cards on holidays and birthdays
  • We visit them
  • We ask them to be part of the program

Susie, what simple thing can a person do to create a feeling of community?

  • Bring personal care products in your car
  • Buy some gift cards from fast food restaurants and keep them handy
  • Have a directory of places where the homeless can go in your area
  • Connect the homeless to community services, which can help them

Susie, what does Operation Care International do?

Our signature event happens on the 3rd Saturday of December when we hold a birthday party for Jesus honoring our homeless and impoverished children and families in Dallas, Texas.

The heart of the ministry is sharing the love of God to the people.

On the day of the event we provide our trademark activity of foot washing; emulating the character of Christ and also:

  • Evangelism and prayer
  • Bibles
  • Socks and shoes
  • Medical, dental and vision services
  • Personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Clothing, coats, sleeping bags, blankets
  • Hot meals
  • Haircuts and makeovers
  • Praise and worship teams/Entertainers
  • Free phone calls
  • Homeless service providers (lawyers, jobs, housing for kids)
  • Toys
  • Back packs
  • Books
  • Food

Susie Jennings is the author of 31 Days of Mountaintop Miracles. She began Operation Care while also being a full time RN. Her story is amazing. Truly a life of miracles. Contact Operation Care at 972-681-3567 or info@OpCare.org

Over the TOP Fundraising Team

Leave a reply

coloraful V of peopleDon’t go alone! How long have we been preaching this to our kids. “Partner up!” It’s that simple.

The V-formation develops and runs your fundraiser successfully. What in the world!? A V-formation is a group of birds, flying in a flock, to get to where they want to go. That’s not me!

Are you sure? Wouldn’t you get further if you led a V-formation (Volunteer Formation)? It’s about managing your time effectively. WE ARE ALL TOO BUSY. Of course, we are. We don’t have time to hover over the nest. There are bigger and better things for fund raisers to be doing. Like…meeting new people and developing relationships.

We recommend building your V-formation first: Assigning roles and managing the process. BE THE LEADER!

SOAR helps people develop roles and manage processes.

V-formation is Everyone who…

  • Shares the cause and tells the story of how they are connected to your mission
  • Engages donors and sponsors (increases donations and lower costs)
  • Answers the following question with yes – “will this decision help us raise more money for our cause?”  If the answer is no, spending time on that item is avoided

Sample Roles for your team

1. Event Coordinator

2. Marketing Collaborator

3. Hospitality Chief

Building a strong V-formation depends on communication. There are lots of ways we communicate. People do have preferences. Figure them out!

Learn more about SOAR’s Annual Coaching Program by clicking here.

Wondering about the “800?” Schedule a call or send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org

Nonprofits Collaborate in Teller County, Colorado To Create Impact

The Nonprofit Cooperative in Teller County, Colorado is a project of SOAR with Network Fundraising. Organizations represented at the meeting on January 8 were:

  • Mountain Top Cycling Club
  • Teller County Farmer’s Market Association
  • Woodland Park Farmer’s Market
  • Woodland Park Main Street
  • Colorado Phoenix Project
  • Junior Achievement of Teller County
  • Pikes Peak Rotary Club
  • Lighter Side of Christmas Parade
  • Woodland Park Wind Symphony
  • Teller Safe Harbor
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Friends of Mueller State Park
  • UC Health
  • Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds
  • Pikes Peak Historical Society
  • DayBreak – An Adult Day Program
  • Pikes Peak Lions Club
  • Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church

Helping nonprofits develop into a collaborative effort is what SOAR is doing in Teller County. Organizations work together and create impact for their community through economic vitality. As a result of the meeting on January 8th, TCRAS changed the date of a fundraiser they have because it overlapped with something Habitat was doing on the same day.

Participants of the cooperative effort receive training on how to be impactful. It’s not a membership organization, it’s people who choose to work together for the better good of the organizations they represent.

Cooperative means everyone gets a vote, decisions are made as a group, and there’s greater potential for success while everyone works in tandem. Do you want to learn more about bringing this project to your small community? It increases exposure, opportunities, and market share (fundraising). Set up time to learn more about the program and how to be a participant. Email: iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.com

Moving forward, an organization in the cooperative of Teller County has 23 opportunities to market their program. This includes attending trainings, collaborative networking events, participating in together-marketing campaigns, and attending happy hours.

The goal is to make SOAR’s project available in communities with less than 30,000 people. Be part of the movement and connect today.

Schedule a call or send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org

Coordinating a Process to Recognize Donors

Claire Windsor volunteers with the Heart Start Foundation (“HSF”) and has helped them retain 69% of their donors because of a donor-recognition program they now implement.

21% of donors say they never receive a thank you note. It’s the first step. A thank you lets a person know their donation was received. A simple thank you card, sent within 48 hours, is a good rule of thumb.

Don’t always ask for money. Invite your donors to events that are free and include the people you support. People really enjoy these because they see your work in action and they know you’re not going to ask for money. An example is the popular talent shows we have at HSF. Donors come because the voting is people’s choice. They get to be involved!

Keeping things organized and manageable. We keep an excel spreadsheet of the year’s activities, which includes the activity, date, cost, sponsor, and Volunteer Champion. There’s one Champion per activity. We use online calendars to create tasks. We just started using Trello. It’s an online project management tool. There’s a free version, which allows Champions to share progress with the foundation’s director.

These simple tools are provided “Cause We Care” and value the success of others. Write an article for us too!

Schedule a call or send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org

Why people choose to SOAR & develop a fundraising community.

Increase fundraising because you increase market share. (i.e. 126% in four months and 371% within sixteen months)

“Like” the Facebook Group (free) – check in here

Schedule a call or send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org

Corporations call fundraising “increasing market share.” Non-profits call it creating sustainability.

Leave a reply

Keeping a development professional longer than the average 18 months is important to a successful run at growing community and raising money. The Founder of SOAR stood in the shoes of a development professional for a corporation and also a non-profit for many years. Corporations call fundraising “increasing market share.” Non-profits call it creating sustainability.

UNTIL SOAR developed there was stress, loss of sleep, and she was driven to work long hours UNTIL a successful system was put into place. She discovered following four simple steps created results and kept her focused. Other people in the organizations where she worked were not worrying about how the money was raised. They just wanted the results.

The development professional – SOAR’s founder – was in a very unhealthy situation UNTIL the successful system (SOAR) created astounding results – WINNING results – quickly and efficiently within four months. STRESS & LOSS OF SLEEP ended immediately and the role of the development professional became a job of managing relationships instead of begging for money. There were people helping to raise money! Dollars continued to increase as community began to GROW.

The truth is, people liked the process so much it increased the market share 126% in four months. SOAR’s program was published and a membership program built. Now, development professionals come to SOAR for support. They pay $34 a month for the privilege of having a fundraising professional in their corner.

Support with SOAR membership looks like this (three highlights):

  • Group contact with other fundraising professionals to get ideas AND see what really works prior to investing too much time and energy
  • Trainings and meetings for development professionals are organized – you just show up
  • SOAR is available for your call – you can share what you’ve having trouble with and SOAR offers advice on the best steps to proceed

Ready to spend $34 on your future success with fundraising – click here!

Unsure of how SOAR fits into your current fundraising program? Schedule a brief strategy call – click here!

 

1 in 7 seniors live in poverty – See dramatic ads used to create awareness

Leave a reply

#SOARwithnetworkfundraising joins the cause to help our seniors in poverty and reposts this article from link here.

“Today, 1 in 7 seniors live in poverty,” said AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson. “Senior poverty is a widespread and deeply disturbing problem in the U.S. — but it’s often hidden from sight.”

She continued, “These ads are a call to bring senior poverty out of the shadows and into the mainstream American narrative. They’re a rallying cry for action that fosters resilience, strengthens communities and restores hope.”

The two spots dramatize the challenges faced by older adults who struggle to meet their basic needs.

In “Garage Sale,” an older man tags his possessions in preparation for a garage sale. He then sits in a lawn chair, watching apprehensively as people look over his possessions. Rather than prices, however, each tag displays what the purchase will enable him to afford: “dinner tonight” … “bus fare” … “heart medicine.”

In the second spot, “Table,” the camera focuses on a plain table topped with photo frames and mail. The voiceover tells us that after 30 years of the table being an anchor, a mailroom, a community board, a memorial … these days, it’s a very different story. The camera zooms in on a final eviction notice as movers sweep the items off the table and into boxes, and follows them as they haul the table out of the house.

Both spots end with the message, “Even when you prepare, life doesn’t always go as planned. Today, 1 in 7 seniors live in poverty. To learn how you can help, visit aarpfoundation.org.”

See the spots:

Garage Sale: https://youtu.be/o-6HR4cwgzM

Table: https://youtu.be/JSDL3u-IsTk

The print effort features the faces of seniors living at or near the poverty level. With a headline that reads simply, “The face of poverty isn’t who you think,” they capture their subjects’ dignity and resilience. The portrait-style images were shot by world-renowned photographer, Platon, whose work has graced over 20 Time magazine covers.

Screen shot 2018-08-27 at 12.25.52 PM

AARP Foundation worked with Grey New York, AARP’s agency of record, to create an integrated campaign that includes online video, social media, digital, public relations and special events. It will appear across AARP’s communications channels, including aarpfoundation.org, with over 1 million unique visitors; AARP The Magazine, which with 38.3 million readers is America’s most-read magazine; and AARP Bulletin, which reaches more than 30 million readers with 10 print editions annually.

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. As AARP’s charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope.

AARP Foundation. For a future without senior poverty.

About Grey

Grey is the advertising network of Grey Group, which ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (NYSE : WPP ). Under the banner of “Grey Famously Effective Since 1917,” the agency serves a blue-chip roster of many of the world’s best known companies: Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Kellogg’s, Pfizer, Canon, NFL, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Nestlé, Walgreens, Applebee’s and T.J. Maxx.

Contact: Owen J. Dougherty  

212-546-2551 

owen.dougherty@grey.com

Fundraising Goals – In the Bag!

Leave a reply

Basically, “in the bag” means your fundraising is secured! You know it’s true because you’ve already accomplished the goal. Whew – a sigh of relief.

Last quarter of the year…is it really in the bag or are you kidding yourself?

As a nonprofit, it can be hard to focus on year-end goals when it’s only August. You undoubtably wear many hats in the organization. It can be even harder to decide what you need to do to achieve success when you’re still trying to meet Q2 or Q3 financial goals. Q4 builds powerful momentum for 2019. Speaking of ways to do this:

1. HAVE A CONSISTENT STORY TO SHARE

A story builds trust in your mission.  It has the potential to increase donations when the story is one people repeat to others. The same story has time to build momentum, and you’ll also save resources when you avoid creating something new. ALL. THE. TIME.

2. CUSTOMIZE HOW YOU COMMUNICATE

A donor is different than someone new learning about your program. Look at your connections and specifically at your monthly donation amounts. Align the way you communicate with different donor segments. Check your social media accounts to see which posts get the most engagement, and build articles for newsletters and subsequent posts based upon those topics. Share with people donating to your organization (time, money, resources).

Customizing communication increases trust in your organization.

3. APPRECIATE DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS

Connect with highly engaged donors and volunteers, who frequently support your mission. They are your advocates. They share your mission with others in a GOOD way when they feel respected. Now is the time to make sure there’s a program of appreciation in place, which is well-developed within your organization.

4. CONNECT WITH BUSINESSES AND SPONSORS

Increase awareness and revenue for your nonprofit when you grow the awareness of your organization within your community. Meet with people and share your mission. This is not asking people for donations unless they are ready to give.

Get to the top of your market because people have confidence and trust in you. Take the test! Prove it. Here’s a quick way to decipher your trustworthiness:

  • Do you serve the best interests of others?
    (Not your own interests)
  • Do you communicate all the information people need to be successful?
    (Don’t make assumptions about what you think “they can handle”. Leaders who underestimate the intelligence of their teams generally overestimate their own.)
  • Do you keep your commitments?
    (Leaders must watch their words because even a casual comment can be interpreted as a commitment.)

Keeping commitments is very important to establish trust.

SOAR is dedicated to helping businesses, non-profits and donors build community. Email us at iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.com with questions.

 

Getting donations because your non-profit gives the donors what they want

Leave a reply

A list, compiled through donor interviews, is below. These are the common answers for what a donor wants in order to feel good about a donation they make.

  • good community standing for the non-profit they donate to
  • a non-profit that works with others to pool resources
  • respected fundraising tools
  • fiscal responsibility of how they spend the gifts they get
  • not being asked again and again for gifts to fund the same purpose
  • donation they make reflect positively on themselves
  • a feel-good system in place for everyone involved
  • a well-outlined strategic plan for the future of how the money they give now impacts the future
  • a realistic fundraising plan with resources already in place
  • realistic and clear goals determined by the non-profit
  • financial report to share
  • legitimate mission, vision and purpose defined
  • adequate service area in the community
  • impact metrics for when their donation is made
  • a way to connect the donor to the mission
  • updates on progress as well as outcomes of their gift
  • ways to create a personal connection for the donor
  • respect for the donor (thank you’s and acknowledgements done promptly)
  • a trustworthy cause to give to, meaning the non-profit accepts responsibility, and stands by their decisions
  • attention to solicitation requests made – the number sent, the messaging, and the follow through afterwards
  • Transparency of the organization and all systems (they do not want to be asked by more than one person for the same thing)
  • a way for the donor to make a difference with whatever they give
  • heart-warming stories
  • clear explanation of need so there’s no guessing
  • excellent customer service
  • a way to solicit donors for advice
  • a way for donors to be heroes
  • honesty
  • online systems – updated and accurate
  • good communications
  • photos of how dollars are impacting society – the results
  • an organized way to volunteer their time

A person who feels good about their donation opens the door for others to give because they share their great experience. It also gives them the idea to give again, and to potentially give more.

SOAR is a relationship program, an acronym, which covers all the bases for helping non-profits coordinate the above list. It’s a way to grow market share and increase dollars.

S – share your message

O – offer opportunities for involvement

A – accept the way people want to participate

R – respect and appreciate others

People who SOAR spread their networking arms, expand their market, and increase the dollars they raise. They SOAR – all of the time with practices they implement. To learn more – iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raising Money? A Result of Good Choices.

Leave a reply
  • You have choices to make.
  • You weigh the options while educating yourself.
  • You make a choice.

This is an ideal scenario but it’s not always the way it goes.

A corporation growing market share (AKA raising money) often limits their options to what they’ve always done and then expects different results. You’ve probably heard a quote, often attributed to Albert Einstein:

“Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results.”

Insanity is a BAD choice when it comes to building confidence in your community for increasing market share. People wonder why an organization is STILL ASKING for money. Why have they NOT MET their financial goal? Will they ever be sustainable? Are they using their dollars wisely? Many times a development professional at an organization becomes the scapegoat. In reality, it costs more money to replace that professional than to work on building them into the model fundraiser. Most times, an employee challenged with raising money is so lost on what to do, they lose sleep at night, and their health deteriorates. Their self-esteem suffers. They feel they’ve let the organization down. They stop trying because it’s too painful.

Organizations choosing to SOAR lighten the burden on their fundraising professional. SOAR is an acronym for a system. People who have followed the program double awareness within two months. They increase fundraising 126% in four months. The metrics in every scenario are off the charts. SOAR only works with organizations and a fundraising professional who are willing to step outside of their box and see relationship building as a necessary tool for raising money.

CAUTION: Grants and donors seeking tax benefits are NOT guaranteed. Recently, a client lost their $100,000 block grant. It’s something they’d received for many years. Now, GONE with the blink of an eye. Fortunately, they are growing their program with SOAR. They’ve found ways to educate people about their mission. They are developing a culture with people in the community. They will survive.

Your choice is to SOAR for success. Discuss options. Schedule a quick call by clicking here.