Providing Nonprofit Startups with the Tools to Raise $10,000 in 10 Weeks!
Here at CharityNet we are all very excited to announce the official launch of our new fundraising program for nonprofit startups. With initial and early-stage funding being one of the most difficult tasks for organizations to conquer, we are happy to be able to provide organizations with a simple problem-solver. Check out today’s press release to learn more about the program and while your at it, sign up for our upcoming information session to see if it could be a good fit for your organization! By the way did I mention, the program is free!
CharityNet USA is excited to announce the launch of their new 10 X 10 Program. Combining elements of capacity building and fundraising, the program will help nonprofit startups raise $10,000 in 10 weeks enabling them to build a solid foundation for
View the 10 X 10 Program Information Packet
future growth and mission fulfillment.
“ Tackling fundraising as a nonprofit startup can be extremely difficult – seeing as often the organizations lack the resources, individuals and time to plan and execute the fundraiser,” said Melanie Swift, MNM, Director of Nonprofit Services for CharityNet USA.
CharityNet USA’s 10 X 10 Program provides participating organizations with a seamless process for event execution, while tying in an achievable time line for financial and administrative growth. Once an organization enrolls into the free program, CharityNet will begin a comprehensive analysis of the nonprofit startup to determine what critical elements are needed to sustain and further develop the organization. Once goals have been identified and placed on the timeline, the organization is given all the necessary event planning tools…
The program includes a variety of nonprofit fundraising events, from basic car washes and bowl-a-thons to elaborate sports events and galas each allowing for its own elements of customization. Money generated through the program becomes invested into administrative fundamentals essential to the organization’s long-term success.
For nonprofit startups interested in learning more about the 10 X 10 program, details of the upcoming 10 X 10 information session are below:
Who: CharityNet USA What: 10 x 10 Program Information Session Where: Online at any computer with an internet connection When: Wednesday, August 4th, 3pm EST How to Register: Visit the following link https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/751133515
We hope to see you at the info session. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment in the “comments section”. Click here to view the full press release.
Join us for a FREE Nonprofit Webinar on July 29, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm & learn how to Build the Lifeline of your Organization!
The success of any fundraising program depends on the ability of the volunteers or paid staff members to successfully solicit participation from past, current, and new supporters. This will be achieved by developing strong relationships with the people you encounter and being able to identify special skills, traits and interests that can benefit your organization.
We invite you to spend a valuable hour with CharityNet USA and learn how develop your fundraising team and build the lifeline of your organization!
Learn how to develop and manage your fundraising team, putting your nonprofit on the fast track to desired expectations at our FREE nonprofit webinar July 29, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST)!
A Free Nonprofit Webinar about Getting your Non Profit Started by Utilizing Social Media Effectively!
From social networking and blogging to bookmarking and video streaming, there are dozens of ways to implement social media into your marketing mix, but that means nothing if they are not implemented effectively. In order for your efforts to provide you with a significant return, you must figure out what methods work best for you and know how to execute them!
We invite you to spend a valuable hour with CharityNet USA and learn how to get started utilizing social media to grow your nonprofit by building content online that will get people talking!
Topics of Interest:
•The New Realm of Social Media
•5 Social Media Methods
•How to get People Talking
•Integrating your Social Media Campaigns
Don’t get left in the dust! Get social and start reaching millions through this new medium by attending our FREE nonprofit webinar July 15, 2010 from 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. (EST)!
What is twitter and how can it benefit my nonprofit organization? In short, Twitter is a great nonprofit marketing tool. It is a social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers, who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Since late 2009, users can follow lists of authors instead of following individual authors. All users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, external applications (notably including those developed for smartphones), or Short Message Service (SMS), although the availability of SMS services varies by country. While the service itself costs nothing to use, accessing it through SMS may incur phone service provider fees. The website currently has more than 100 million users worldwide.
Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide. It is sometimes described as “SMS of the Internet.” The use of Twitter’s application programming interface for sending and receiving text messages by other applications often eclipses direct use of Twitter.
Twitter statistics:
Twitter now has 105,779,710 registered users
New users are signing up at the rate of 300,000 per day
180 million unique visitors come to the site every month.
75% of Twitter traffic comes from outside Twitter.com (i.e. via third party applications)
Twitter gets a total of 3 billion requests a day via its API
Twitter users are, in total, tweeting an average of 55 million tweets a day
Twitter’s search engine receives around 600 million search queries per day
Of Twitter’s active users, 37 percent use their phone to tweet
Over half of all tweets (60 percent) come from third party applications
Twitter itself has grown: in the past year alone, it has grown from 25 to 175 employees
Hopefully this article will have shown you that Twitter is an increasingly growing social media networking website that nonprofits should be utilizing. Twitter allows for nonprofit marketing, allowing organizations to get their message across and increase awareness. If your nonprofit doesn’t already have a Twitter page you should defiantly consider creating one. If your nonprofit organization does create a Twitter page, make you remain active on your organizations page to ensure that followers are getting the most updated information possible.
An information session about how to raise $10,000 in 10 weeks for your non profit organization!
While the passion you have for your mission may make you feel that funds should flow easily into your organization in support of your cause. The truth, is that raising money is difficult! And for new organizations that are not well known throughout the community, it is even harder. It sounds like a cliché, but fundraising at all levels is about building relationships, and like any relationship it will require hardwork and commitment.
Unfortunately, too many startup organizations don’t know where to begin when it comes to event planning, volunteer recruitment and; most importantly, identifying the best ways to allocate funds to build organizational capacity.
We invite you to spend some valuable time with CharityNet USA and find out how we can help you develop an achievable plan for success by raising $10,000 in 10 weeks through the 10×10 Program!
The 10 x 10 Program will:
Provide a steady stream of income for your organization
Give you the money to invest in key services to develop a strong organization
Create a more visible presence of your organization, making fundraising more profitable in the future
Join us to learn more about the CharityNet USA 10×10 Program and how to set your organization on the right path to mission fulfillment and future success! Attend our FREE webinar June 16, 2010 from 3 P.M. – 4 P.M. (EST).
Although the United States Economy has been going through an economic crisis and many nonprofit organizations had projected decreased donations, research has shown that there is actually good news for the nonprofit organizations. According to research, last year’s nonprofit organizations were not down as much as they had originally projected and they are projecting increased donations into the future.
The research indicates that fundraising in 2008 trended higher than in 2000. The majority of organizations across the board predict a recovery time of two years or less. For many groups, the economic downturn is an opportunity to focus on strategic priorities, reconnect with their mission, build relationships, collaborate with new partners, and get creative. Many have seen an increase in the use of their services and/or plan to expand programs/services in 2009.
Organizations that are doing well are not necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or the ones that had the best fundraising year in 2008.
Trends of these organizations include:
Diversified revenue streams and a variety of ways to give
Engaged leadership (executive, development/fundraising, and board) that is prepared to address the changes in the coming year
More effort expended into donor outreach and cultivating relationships
Investment in development staff, resources, and/or activities
Proactive planning. They are looking to do more, not less
Many organizations that saw a decline in fundraising attributed it to the economy in some fashion; few were contributing organizational factors. A significant number of groups started the year with only short-term solutions planned, such as cost containment, reducing staff/programs, or dipping into reserves or credit lines as a first-line strategy. For those that predict a longer recovery time, there are two common elements: organizational issues, including leadership problems; and insufficient effort/focus/staff for development and fundraising.
Organizations that are not doing very well are not necessarily the ones with the smallest budgets or number of staff. “Worst” fundraising year in 2008, or the longest predicted economic recovery time.
Trends of these organizations include:
Leadership, board, or organizational problems (lack of engagement, turnover, communication, unity of vision)
Lack of planning or proactive strategies to address changes in the future; strategies are often reactive and focused on cost containment
Lack of donor stewardship
Reliance on fundraising sources not particularly fruitful in the past
Lack of effort/staff in development/fundraising
2009 Plans:
Organizational missions will not change (75%) or will expand (17%)
Programs and services are set to either increase (38%) or not change (36%); only a small number will decrease them (13%)
Communication with donors will increase (81%) or not change (15%)
Many respondents (71%) expect to partner or collaborate with other agencies
Morale is reported to be good. So far, current circumstances have either had no effect (37%) or increased unity (33%);
While most respondents (70%) are not worried about losing their job in the next year, it is a concern for the remainder
The good news is that while the economy has not recovered completely, it is recovering faster than originally projected. The nonprofit sector has fared better than expected and the downturn actually strengthened many organizations. The projections for the future include a positive trend.
So, you have started this amazing new organization which is going to assist a cause that is important to you, right? Now the important question comes in. How are you going to find the money to run your organization? Are you going to apply for grant funding¸ ask for donations, or conduct fundraisers? Honestly, your answer should be at least two and if the program requires it all three. You cannot rely solely on any one form of funding to operate your organization and develop your programs.
While grant funding can be an important part of funding your organization you cannot rely solely on this funding to get your organization up and running. Unfortunately obtaining grant funding is not a quick process which can be done in a couple of days. A lot of thought and consideration must be taken into account when you are developing a grant proposal to be sent out. The grant funding process can be a long drawn out process. First, you have to write a grant proposal and research foundations that are willing and interested in funding your programs. This is unfortunately where many organizations develop their first hang up. Most new organizations have no clue how to write an effective grant proposal. This leaves hiring a professional to complete the job for them, which unfortunately will cost money.
However, barring the obvious financial constraints that grant writing can put on an organization let’s talk about other reasons why grant funding might not be the route you initially want to go. Since, the current economic recession it has become more difficult to obtain grant funding. Foundations no longer have the money to fund as many programs as they used to. That by no way means that there is not funding out there at all for you organization, however, it has made the process very competitive. You must research and find organizations which have a history of funding the same type of programs which you are implementing and share the same mission and goals for humanity. Also, you must research and have specifics on how your programs are going to run, who are you going to help, what need are you addressing, how much money exactly are you going to need to run your program for materials, administration, facility expenses, etc. Grant funders like to see who and what their funding will specifically be going to, in fact, most grant funders require that the organizations they providing funding to give them reports on how their specific funds were used. Many organizations also have in house grant fund auditors that will physically require a meeting to go over where their grant funding has gone to insure that the funds have be appropriated properly.
Time constraints are also an important thing to look at when asking for grants. Obtaining grant funding is entirely dependent upon the foundations you send your grant proposal to. So, if their due date for proposals is November 15th and your grant proposal is completed and ready to send and its only March do not expect to receive grant funding from this foundation anytime soon. Most grant funders like to receive all grant proposals by a certain date and then they make their decisions on who they want to fund. Another way to think of this process for example is to think of applying for colleges. Most colleges have an application deadline and can only take in a certain number of students. Take Harvard as an example. Harvard is one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States and it can be argued that they are one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. Unfortunately, not everyone who applies to Harvard gets accepted, in fact, their acceptance rate is only 7% of all students who apply. The world of grant funding can draw many direct correlations to the college application process.
Another important thing to think about when asking for grants is that grant funders prefer to see that there are other sources of capital coming into the organization to help with the programs that have been initiated. In other words, grant funders like to see that an organization is sustainable, meaning they are able to continue their programs once grant funding is gone. This is by far one of the most important things that a grant funder is looking for they want to see that the vital program initiative that you have helped bring to realization continues once they have supported your organization by sending you their support. How are you going to show that your organization is sustainable? First, you need to show that you have broad support throughout your community through fundraising and individual contributions. Begin developing fundraising efforts not only to raise funds, but to get your organizations mission and purpose out to the public as a whole. The more public awareness you develop the higher chance you have of obtaining donations to truly help your specific programs. Nothing is more moving to a grant funder than actual proof of how your organization is currently helping your local community, and not just reciting how you intend to help your community when you actually start your programs.
Grant funding can be an amazing way to get funding for your vital program initiatives in one lump sum, however, be prepared that the entire grant writing/funding process does not happen overnight. There are many organizations which are out there to aid organizations is writing and researching potential foundations which would be interested in funding the program which you have developed. Even in today’s recession there are billions of dollars from foundations and the government that are being distributed to nonprofit organizations. You can be in line to receive some of this funding, but be prepared to work for it they do not just hand it out.
A Webinar about Bringing Funds Through the Door with an Effective Plan for Action!
Once you have a great fundraising idea, motivation will be high and everyone involved in your non profit will be eager to get started. However, you should take the time to develop a plan.
Every organization, no matter its size, needs a fundraising plan to guide and support its efforts. The purpose of a fundraising plan is to clearly spell out your overall fundraising picture of the organization. This plan will help you find funding sources and build community awareness of your organization.
We invite you to spend some invaluable time with CharityNet USA, and learn how to design a workable fundraising plan for your organization!
Topics of Interest:
•Developing the Team
•Diversity in the Plan
•Self-Sustainability
•Legal Mandates
Fundraising is not only fun but also provides great exposure for your organization. Develop your fundraising plan and start putting the spotlight on your non profit by attending our FREE webinar on Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EST).
So you are a non profit organization and working to plan a fundraiser but do not know what to do? You should consider doing something that relates to your mission to help you spread the word about your organization. This will allow your organization to both raise some money and increase awareness about your organization or cause.
If you organization is working to feed homeless people, you may want to consider hosting a charity dinner. This will get your donors involved in your organization and get them thinking about your organization’s mission and purpose. Having fundraisers that relate to what your organization does or is established to do may help to increase the support of your organization.
Another example of a fundraiser relating to your non profit organization’s mission or cause would be having a dog wash or dog walk-a-thon for organizations dealing with animals. These events would have a tendency to attract individuals who have an interest in animals and animal welfare. By attracting individuals who are interested in animals you may have a greater chance of developing long lasting relationships with individuals who will potentially remain active in your organization for a long time to come.
By organizing a fundraiser that relates to the mission of your organization you will also be bringing awareness to your cause. You will be able to discuss and point out the need for your organization and what exactly it is you are trying to do and how you are trying to help. Fundraisers can also be productive in terms other than purely the amount of funding generated. Other ways fundraisers can be successful would be by creating interest and support from individuals who will continue to be active in our organization after the fundraiser has concluded. This could be through continued volunteering or supporting our organization at future fundraisers, or simply thru positive word of mouth from these individuals.
Want more information about fundraising? Be sure to check out our video on the 8 Truths of Fundraising:
It is important for non profit organizations, both those just starting out and those which are well established, to have a diversified stream of income. By diversifying where your revenue is coming from, your non profit organization will be less dependent on each revenue source. The more diverse your organization is the better it will be able to withstand changes in funding.
Grants, for example, are a great way for non profit organizations to generate the revenue which they need to operate. However, if an organization is relying too heavily on grants and their grant funding gets pulled or reduced, the organization may struggle trying to make up for that loss of funding in other ways. It is better to be prepared by having additional fundraising initiatives and soliciting donations in addition to applying for grants.
The need for multiple sources of funding has become even more important with the recent decline in the American economy. As bank accounts continue to shrink, individuals, organizations and foundations are becoming more selective over which organizations they are making contributions to. This is creating more competition between organizations for the resources available. The organizations which are best equipped to deal with this competition are those that are the most diverse in their revenue sources and the least reliant on one single source.
Organizations should look at fundraising efforts also as a way of marketing and getting your name out into the community in addition to generating revenue for your organization. Fundraising events, while they may not always create a large amount of income for an organization, cannot always be measured by the amount of money they generate at that event. This is due to the possibility of future donations and contributions based on the relationship which may have been established at one of these events. Additionally, hiring a professional fundraiser can be a smart move for even the youngest of non profit organizations. Not only does a professional fundraiser have experience working a variety of different events, a professional fundraiser knows how to make connections and secure sponsorships.
Even non profit organizations which have been successful over a period of time using one revenue source should consider working to find new untapped sources of income. This will strengthen any organization and all organizations will welcome more income; as more income allows the organization more freedom in working towards accomplishing their mission and fulfilling their goal.
Want to learn more about the do’s and don’t of fundraising effectively? Check out CharityNet USA’s short video “The 8 Truths of Fundraising” .
An information session about how to raise $10,000 in 10 weeks for your non profit organization!