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Digital Strangelove (or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Internet)
This is a collection of thoughts by David Gillespie around where we are right now in the history of the Internet. David believes we’re getting ahead of ourselves, confusing the growth of the Internet with it growing up, but he also believes we’re doing some amazing things, and can draw a few lines...
Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!)
Building Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape. At the Web 2.0 Expo, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk gives a shot in the arm to dreamers and up-and-comers who face self-doubt. The Internet has made the formula for success simpler than ever, he argues. So there’s now no excuse not to do what...
Poverty appears a complex issue. A minefield of an issue. But what if behind the obvious suspects, the causes lie deeper. And as such poverty becomes a more common experience than we assume. Perhaps the answers to the experience of poverty lie somewhere within in the relationship between these two possibilities....
Growing Power is a short story of Will Allen who is the founder of “Growing Power Inc.”. http://www.growingpower.org/ http://twitter.com/growingpower http://www.facebook.com/growingpower...
Announcing the $10 March for Haiti!
Good morning! First, I want to take a quick opportunity to thank you for all of your work for the Haiti Choir Project. What a blessing it was to see all of you come together to help raise over $5000 for food, water, and shelter for the Haitian people. Be sure...
Paul Polak isn’t your everyday global poverty fighter
Paul Polak isn’t your everyday global poverty fighter. He’s a 75-year old former psychiatrist who believes that the world’s poorest people, most of whom are farmers living on less than $2/day, are capable entrepreneurs and viable consumers. It’s a philosophy that drove him to start International Development Enterprises (IDE), a...
IMPACTMAX
Strategic Communications Planning for Nonprofits—Step Three: Audience research and messages
Now that you know who your key audiences are and what you want them to do—it’s time to take a closer look at what kind of experiences and communications motivate them. Step three in the communications process—what do they need from you? What kinds of communication can you generate that will...
Nonprofits and Foundations: Don’t Forget the Infographics
I’ve read many articles and posts over the past few years about the nonprofit sector’s inability to manage and share information effectively. (Gee, I’ve even written a couple.) Most of these articles suggest how nonprofits can share information more meaningfully than through reports, and how they can tell stories that...
DIY stratetgic communications planning for nonprofits: Step 2—Key Audiences
After my last strategic planning post, I’ll assume you’ve made a list of the actions you want to happen in the world as a result of your nonprofit’s efforts. That clarity is all-important as you move on to the next step in strategic communications planning—determining your key audiences. Many nonprofits give...
Top 10 posts of the year: Happy 2010!
No way around it, 2009 was a tough year for everyone—especially nonprofits. I hope we’re looking at much more good news in 2010! Here’s a year-end round-up of my most read posts. Thanks for tuning in this year, and a special thanks to those who shared comments! How nonprofits can succeed in...
DIY strategic communications planning for nonprofits
A while ago I promised some advice about strategic communications planning, and my next step-by-step posts will cover that topic. It’s timely because–while you might be able to overlook wasted communications dollars when times are good—2010 is the year to make sure you’re absolutely getting the most bang for your buck....
Using social media to drive policy change
Before I launch into my real post below, I want to take a minute to revel in being a Minnesotan. In the past several years, there have been very few opportunities to do that. But Tuesday, we reclaimed something of our past selves by setting a new state one-day online...
A Small Change- Fundraising Blog
This would have gone well with my Event Invitation Mistakes post a few weeks ago but I didn’t make this mistake until recently. We have had a number of formal prospecting sessions and I have informally added a number of casually mentioned names. Recently I sent out invitations to our...
The Fundraising Coach: Nonprofit Blog Exchange Round #10
I am participating today in an annual tradition called the Nonprofit Blog Exchange, an event where nonprofit and philanthropy bloggers write about another blog. This year I am writing about Marc Pitman’s The Fundraising Coach. Marc is a reputable expert and thought leader in the fundraising community. From his blog you...
Interview with eBay’s Robert Chatwani
Through eBay’s Giving Works platform shoppers contributed nearly $1.5 million dollars to Haiti. Eight US nonprofits have received more than $1 million. eBay is at the forefront of the e-philanthropy movement and I’m excited to bring you an interview with Robert Chatwani.- Jason What is your role at eBay and how...
Let me take a second to share with you, my reader, about a couple of different ways we can work together. I want this blog to be interactive and useful for you, and I encourage you to email me with ideas and input on new posts or other content at...
In a recent post, Who Talks to Your Donors, I mentioned two different styles of fundraising. One style involves board members soliciting donors, and another style involves staff cultivating and soliciting donors. Does your organization primarily use Board Member or Staff to ask for donations? And, how do you think...
March Goodness Razoo is doing it again, this is year 2 in their March Goodness competition. But this year they are only letting in a small number of nonprofits. Check out the requirements to sign-up and submit your application before February 26. Grand prize is $20,000 with a number of prizes...
Ken's Commentary
Webinar Features Research About Harlem Children’s Zone
Social Solutions will be hosting a webcast on March 25, 2010 at 3pm (EST) featuring Paul Tough, author of Whatever it Takes; Geoff Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America.In this webcast, Paul Tough, who spent five years conducting on-the-scene research at the 4-star Harlem Children’s Zone, will discuss successes...
Outcome Forum Participant - Paul Shoemaker
Our next guest on the Open Forum is Paul Shoemaker, Executive Director of Social Venture Partners, Seattle, an Affiliate of SVP International a federation of SVP organizations in 23 cities in the United States, Canada and Japan. Paul is the Founding President of SVPI and currently sits on their Board...
Where Things Stand: US Charity Donations to Haiti
Two reports on ABC regarding where the money is being spent in Haiti. The more extensive coverage is here which includes a video from the ABC World News broadcast of 2-12-10, along with a 3 page article that concludes with a link to Charity Navigator.Another video aired on ABC's...
The Overhead Question: The Future of Nonprofit Assessment - A One Hour Teleconference
Last week, Ken and other representatives from the nonprofit sector took part in a disucssion about the evolution of charity evaluation. If you missed it, now you can listen to The Overhead Question: The Future of Nonprofit Assessment and Reporting online here....
Talking with CNN About Haiti Relief Efforts
An interview with CNN's Soledad O'Brien onJan. 15th. Enjoy!...
Sending Money Where It Will Do The Most Good In Haiti - Ken on NBC Nightly News
Last night, NBC Nightly News Senior Investigative Correspondent Lisa Myers reminded donors to make informed giving decisions to charities providing aid in Haiti. She included an interview with Ken, as well as many of our tips.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy...
Donor Power Blog
Darwinism and Fundraising – an Observation.
“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” – Charles Darwin Most industries, whether it be financial services, telecommunication carriers, sportswear brands, or whatever other commercial entity......
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill allowing taxpayers who make a donation to victims of the Haitian earthquake to claim a charitable donation when filing their 2009 taxes this spring. Nonprofits who have the most to......
What can we learn from TV’s most popular curmudgeon?
I am referring to Gregory House, the brilliant medical diagnostician who is the poster-child for unconventional thinking. Season 4 introduced a group of Fellowship candidates that had to compete to make the final team of three. In Guardian Angels (episode......
What can we learn from TV’s most popular curmudgeon?
I am referring to Gregory House, the brilliant medical diagnostician who is the poster-child for unconventional thinking. Season 4 introduced a group of Fellowship candidates that had to compete to make the final team of three. In Guardian Angels (episode......
USA Today recently published an article about several animal welfare charities cooperating with each other in dogfighting and disaster rescues; they included HSUS, ASPCA, American Humane, UAN and Best Friends. Kudos to those organizations for working together, because like many......
Taking “Thanksgiving” for Granted?
Depending on what poll you look you at, Thanksgiving rates as Americans' second favorite holiday, albeit a distant second to Christmas. To me, however, it’s by far my top holiday. Maybe that’s because it’s never been compromised. It’s as pure......
Connection Café
Make your cause more like Austin, Texas
Author: Joey Martin If you have visited Austin, Texas you may recall that we love to talk about Austin. There is something special about this town. The first session I attended at SXSW Interactive was 'Why Austin is the Killer App' moderated by Heather McKissick and Bijoy Goswami the founders of...
Nonprofit SXSW Goodness – Conference List Toppers, To-Dos and Topics of Interest
Author: Jordan Viator It’s less than 24 hours until the masses start filling the Austin Convention Center for one of the biggest and best Interactive conferences of the year: South By Southwest. My favorite part of SXSW in recent years is the flood of nonprofit and socially conscious topics, speakers and...
Bombers, biopsies and brown M&Ms – it’s all part of the Checklist Manifesto
Author: Seth Merritt Bombers, biopsies and brown M&Ms – what do they all have in common? They each tell an interesting story about checklists, a simple notion whose time has come, according to Atul Gawande in his recent book The Checklist Manifesto. Gawande is a surgeon who, as leader of a...
Rapid Response at Critical Times of Need – An Essential Guide with Real World Examples
Author: Jordan Viator Rapid response is a top-of-mind topic for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes right now. Earlier this year Molly posted 7 quick tips to taking action quickly in times of need and numerous other resources and learnings have been put out since with the issue at top of mind...
Mobile donations and dating – The world has changed
Author: Tad Druart As I look back at my communication’s and development career technology has changed the way I work - I remember the days when we had a major product launch and had teams of people in New York and Washington D.C. the morning of the announcement to "run" the...
Charity Walks Blog
Charity Walks: Prepare for the Unexpected
More than 4 feet of snow has fallen so far in my area this winter. That is more snow than any other winter since 1895! The snow has shut down roads and contributed to traffic accidents. It has closed businesses and schools. Events were canceled due to the snow. We can’t control...
Charity Walk Technology: Treasure or Tragedy?
Members of the group were spread out over a distance of 100 miles. A presentation had to be created by this team of 5 in less than a week. One member proposed using Skype as a coordination tool and the rest of the team agreed. This took place just 2...
Charity Walks Blog in Money Magazine
Charity Walks Blog was mentioned in the December 2009 issue of Money Magazine as the resource to turn to for a list of walk-a-thons nationwide that you can join. The article “How to give when the giving gets tough” describes 13 ways we can support charities that do not require significant...
strong>Author: Erica Brooks One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the stresses in life is by giving to others. When you help others it takes the focus off of you and your problems and shifts the focus to the needs of others. Helping others brings about change in the community...
Maps are important to most charity walks. Unless the route is on something like a race track, maps will be required. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an online tool that could help map out your charity walks? The benefits would include: Automatically calculation of the distance of the charity walk Printed...
3 Simple Keys to Fundraising Success
Michael Gibbons, from Buttons of Hope, will be my next guest on the Charity Event Success radio show. The interview will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. Eastern. We will be discussing the 3 Simple Keys to Fundraising Success. There are several ways to listen to the...
Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network Blog
(img src=ocaazk.org)In case you missed it, here are a few updates from NVEN's most recent update email to its state nonprofit association partners:Brookings DataMany of you may have seen this already, but for those of you who have not the Brookings Institute has released new data breaking down federal assistance...
Assisting Clients with their Census Questionnaire
Many nonprofits have asked us over the last few months what they can do to help their clients fill out and return their 2010 Census Questionnaire. Can they offer language assistance to non-English speakers? Can they help explain the meaning of a question to a client?The Census Funders'...
Oregon 4th State to Offer Online Voter Registration
Voter registration should be easy and universal. Oregon is doing its part. Voters in there can now register to vote online, joining Kansas, Arizona and Washington in letting new voters register online.No more hunting down forms. More a technology that more people, especially under 30, use...
U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves and key partners will hold a press conference to launch a 2010 Census public awareness campaign, Children Count Too, about the importance of counting infants and young children on census forms.Many important programs that support children receive funds allocated through Census data. These...
Well done, Census. I was wondering when the Census was going to become more of an "outside joke" instead of an "inside joke" (see earlier post on Ed Begley Jr. Census ads). These are great!...
Why the Census asks for your phone number
Thanks to Census Director Dr. Robert Groves for clearing up an issue that seems to have stirred up a few questions on confidentiality.Question: If the Census is confidential and not meant to gather "personal" information, why does it ask for your phone number?Answer, courtesy of Dr. Groves' Census blog:"We found...
Nanette's Notes
Most nominating committees recognize the need for those with financial and legal expertise to sit on their boards. Here are some additional fields from which boards should be looking to add people as well: PR/Marketing Social Networking Fundraising Program and Event Planning Human Resources Sales When nominating people to serve on your board, consider the following criteria in...
Organizations have events for a variety of reasons.Most events can be categorized as primarily for: fundraising, mission fulfillment or outreach and engagement. Too often organizations say goodbye to the guests, clean up, write their thank you notes and check the event off the list. If you are doing so, then you are...
Many organizations in the nonprofit world are seeking to redefine and reinvent themselves. It is important for the leaders of these organizations seeking to make themselves relevant to a new generation and the realities of the times to make sure that the process they use is also up to date. The...
You only have to spend a short period of time in an organization to get a feeling for the environment. Is it formal or informal? Are the people who work there happy? Do they seem energetic or lethargic? Are they at ease or tense? Are people empowered to make decisions?...
Planning for Your Community’s Future
Below is an article that I wrote that was published by eJewishPhilanthropy.com. Planning for Your Community’s Future December 31, 2009 by eJP by Nanette Fridman As we embark upon 2010, Jewish communities across the country continue to work diligently to retool their organizations to allow for sustainable operations. If you spend time in many...
One of the most memorable lines from my childhood was the Wendy’s commercial in which Clara Peller asks “Where’s the beef?” I find myself today asking, “Where’s the passion?” Too many organizations are lackluster and not compelling because they lack passion. Spend time in successful organizations and you will know “Where’s the...
Nonprofit Execs on the Edge
A blueprint for action any nonprofit can use
Here is one great model for a comprehensive online advocacy campaign, and it can easily be adapted for a fundraising drive or outreach initiative. Take a look and learn. Borrow individual ideas. Adopt the comprehensive approach. Heck, use it to educate board or staff members on how social media fits into...
Maneuvering the mine field of a nonperforming board member
As an executive director, the hardest thing I ever did (other than lay off a staff person) was maneuver the mine field of dealing with a nonperforming board member. Structurally, this was not my role as lead staff – it was the board chair’s role. But as half of the...
Social media blasphemy – it’s ok to keep quiet
Remember when your mom told you, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”? I’d take it a step further with social media: “if you don’t have anything to say, just stay quiet”! Forget what all the social media experts tell us about tweeting several times a...
Share your love for your favorite nonprofit
In honor of Valentine’s Day, spread a little love for your favorite nonprofit. It will only take a minute to blow a kiss their way. Here’s how:On Facebook:1. On your favorite nonprofit’s Facebook (FB) page, post a photo relevant to what they do or something you’ve participated in. It will show...
Nonprofits: don't make these 3 communications mistakes
I recently observed a few surprising mistakes made by businesses using social media and online marketing. I share these in hopes that your nonprofits will not run your online communications and community engagement efforts like these businesses did. Mistake #1: Bribing me to be your friend/fan.A lot has been written about...
A simple outline for your fundraising ask
“Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.Seth Godin’s recent 8 questions and a why provides a simple and brilliant basis for every fundraising ask. I edited Godin's questions just a tad for use in crafting your ask:Who are you trying to...