November 2010 Entries
The online world is here to stay for ministries. For that reason, it’s a good time to evaluate your website from a donor’s perspective. Here are 10 tips:
1. Be concise. Most donors are scanners. Big blocks of text scare people off. Use bullet points and small paragraphs.
2. Use pictures. Show the story. Don’t just tell it with text. Pictures produce emotions, and let your readers “feel” your mission.
3. Highlight your vision, mission and key objectives. Make sure that people know where you are going, how you are going to get there and your 3-5 mission critical activities.
4. State the problem clearly. Make sure that your donors know what problem you...
posted @ Tuesday, November 30, 2010 6:24 PM |
I confess. I was one of those early shoppers on Black Friday. There were a couple of deals that were too good to pass up.
As I stood in line, the four women in front of me guarded their loaded cart. They each wore matching pink t-shirts with the promise: “I’ll be good next year”—apparently in their reference to refrain from shopping so much. Likewise, they each wore black knit scarves and well cushioned running shoes. They were an assault team. Pity those who got in their way.
In keeping with an assault team, their efforts had been well coordinated. One had been dispatched to the $3.99 DVDs. One had gone...
posted @ Sunday, November 28, 2010 8:06 PM |
Fundraising has changed. What worked pre-crash 2008 does not necessarily mean it will work now. It is not business as usual. The wise charity is making adjustments now.
Lisa Sargent Communications reported on a recent study on "What's Working in Donor Fundraising and Development Today." Here are some of the highlights:
1. Finding new donors remains a challenge. Non profits need to find new ways to find new donors.
2. Competition for donor dollars is at an all time high. Less dollars means more competition.
3. Social media is necessary but has not proven itself yet as a fundraising tool. Pursue social...
posted @ Tuesday, November 23, 2010 7:29 AM |
Do you run a really cool and happening ministry? Is it full of excitement and pizazz? Yet do you wonder sometimes why your donors don't get how cool your ministry really is?
A recent study at Excitement or Peacefulness provides a powerful insight. People in their 20's, 30's, and 40's tend to equate happiness with excitement, activity, jazzy stuff. On the other hand, people in their 50's equate happiness with peacefulness.
Implications? The young hip ministry tries to get their donor base excited over the ministry with cutting edge materials and presentations when in fact their older donor base...
posted @ Monday, November 22, 2010 8:29 AM |
As we turn the corner to December, many people are beginning to think about their year end tax calculations and correspondingly, their available tax deductions.
The biggest available deduction in any one year typically is the charitable deduction. I find many do not realize the rules. Here are the two big ones in brief:
1. you may contribute up to 50% of your income each year and still be allowed a charitable deduction;
2. 30% of the 50% may be in the form of a non cash asset ( things like publicly traded stock, real estate, cars, collectibles, and closely held...
posted @ Tuesday, November 16, 2010 2:59 PM |
What color is generosity?
We just completed our 9th Annual Passion Awards. For more, visit www.celebrateministrykc.com. The Passion Awards is like the Academy Awards of ministry where we award grants to ministry but also make a few individual awards as well.
As our staff gathered after the awards, we reflected upon the best part of the evening. Everyone agreed that it was the individual award that we made for the Servant Leader of the Year. That award went to Jim Browne of Jim Browne Productions. Let me explain.
Jim came to us seven years ago. I’m not sure what connection brought him to us. However, we need...
posted @ Monday, November 08, 2010 7:32 AM |
It’s October, but it is year end tax season.
I work with people all across the country. Each year, we see people set up donor advised funds in the month of December. In fact, we’ll see 50% of our activity take place in the month of December. While it’s a good thing that we have that kind of activity, it’s also a lesson for those planning now. Encourage your donors to begin thinking about it now!
A few years back, I got a call from a donor who desperately wanted to set up a gift annuity. A few days later, we got a check for a...
posted @ Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:12 AM |