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Hosting a nonprofit event is a confusing endeavor

Hosting a nonprofit event is a confusing endeavor during COVID-19 🤔🤨
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Should we cancel our annual fundraiser?
Should we switch virtual?
What does virtual look like?
Can we host a group, if it’s outdoors?
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As our country grapples with the pandemic at hand, it’s important we are able to make decisions to stay safe while supporting our work. It’s tough, and it’s going to impact organizations in many different ways.
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Here’s some ideas to keep going with fundraising events:
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🌭🍤🥘 If it's food based, consider a drive through event. Hook up with a local caterer who can create To Go dishes for your donors. Host an online live discussion to “dine together.”
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🚲 🏃‍♀️If it’s a recreational event, how can you shift to more independent or family-based participation? Providing maps and other key details will allow people to head outside, and then ask for participation in a forum to develop the community post-participation.
If its volunteer support you need, are there ways you can send certain activities home for volunteers to work on, and report back?
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Event planning always requires creativity, but COVID-19 layers on an extra challenge to innovate the way we operate. If you have suggestions on how to reroute a particular type of event, drop it in the comments!
At the end of the day, we’re still social humans and crave connectivity - so somehow, people will want to engage 👍
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsulting #nonprofitstrategist #nonprofitfundraiser #communicationskills #communicationstrategy #communicationstrategist #communications #strategiccommunications #grantwritingtips #grantwritinghelp #grantwriting101 #grantwritingprobs #changingtheworld #raisemoney #donationswelcome #boardmember #lookforthehelpers #charitable #communityoutreach #nonprofitmarketing #givebacktothecommunity

Oh, goodie - a grant application! If you listen c

Oh, goodie - a grant application! If you listen closely, what will you hear?
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... Numbers
... Data
... Statistics
… Research
… Stories?
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While data is important to a solid grant application, it’s also possible to weave a compelling narrative with facts AND story in order to woo your funder into a winning opportunity.
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Here’s two quick tips to balance story with facts:
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1) Review the data that you plan to use for your application. Which ones can you easily think of real life stories to exemplify? Use that story to introduce the data and bring it to life.
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2) Collect stories while you collect data! If you have program participants submitting surveys or other reports about their experience and your impact, always include a question or two that allows for qualitative stories to surface.
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As you grow more comfortable fusing stories and information, you’ll notice you hear something else the next time you put that grant up to your ear: zen.
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsulting #nonprofitstrategist #nonprofitfundraiser #communicationskills #communicationstrategy #communicationstrategist #communications #strategiccommunications #grantwritingtips #grantwritinghelp #grantwriting101 #grantwritingprobs #changingtheworld #raisemoney #donationswelcome #boardmember #lookforthehelpers #charitable #communityoutreach #nonprofitmarketing #givebacktothecommunity

A vibrant, colorful sunset is captivating and memo

A vibrant, colorful sunset is captivating and memorable. Those evenings when color fills the sky and a paint brush seemingly swipes a range of colors before our very eyes as night sets in.
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This is how a strong story comes to life: with carefully placed sentences flowing in a sequence as smoothly as that sunset you can’t take your eyes off.
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So how do you accomplish this captivating sequence?
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Here’s 5 tips to writing a 5 star story:
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1) Set a clear intention before you start. A single story can be written in more than one way, but with an identified moral you can direct the objective and your language to match.
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2) A general story flow includes: catchy opener — statement of intent — background (if relevant) — story details — ending.
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3) Use colorful details that make the story come to life, yet don’t feel the need to include all the details. Sometimes, certain details are a distraction … this is where knowing your intention will help you make that decision.
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4) The CTA fits nicely when it comes after the most impactful area of the story; generally this means squeezing these in between the story details and the ending — but sometimes, other spots fit.
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5) A strong ending ties back to the beginning, bringing the story full circle and offering closure. Closure feels comfortable, and that’s a great way to leave a story.
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Checking your stories for these 5 points will help you improve your writing and keep more readers to the end.
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After all, why would you leave behind such a magnificent sunset before its end? *
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsulting #nonprofitstrategist #nonprofitfundraiser #communicationskills #communicationstrategy #communicationstrategist #communications #strategiccommunications #grantwritingtips #grantwritinghelp #grantwriting101 #grantwritingprobs #changingtheworld #raisemoney

When volunteers show up to help out your nonprofit

Do your kids know what generosity looks like?
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As kids + parents experience a unique back-to-school moment as part of our 2020 pandemic life, I think we have a great opportunity to teach unique lessons that we may have been missing out on in school.
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Things like core values, to include generosity.
There are some schools that incorporate service learning intertwined with more traditional curriculum, but simply being required to volunteer may not be enough to pass on a true understanding of generosity, and why it’s important to give back.
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One key way to turn the dial up on a childhood volunteer experience? Get your kids involved in the volunteer experience before it starts.
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Research together different options and allow them to chose one that suits their passion. Then research the organization to understand the cause and why the need exists.
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For example, in our home we plan to become a foster family for animals this fall as part of our daughters service learning. We’ve spent time diving into foster family testimonial videos, exploring reasons that dogs need homes and understanding what it requires to care for them.
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My daughter is In kindergarten, so with age appropriate tasks in mind, I’ve also considered relevant art projects and read stories that I can relate to fostering and why it’s important to help.
Older kids could …
🐚 create a book report
🐚 complete a higher skill level art project
🐚 build something related to the cause
🐚 watch a relevant documentary
🐚 interview an expert …
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You get the idea.
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May you continue to stay safe and healthy this school year, and take on many meaningful lessons during this unique pandemic period. 💚
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsulting #nonprofitstrategist #nonprofitfundraiser #communicationskills #communicationstrategy

Riddle me this: Is it easy to find new donors? ⠀

Riddle me this: Is it easy to find new donors?
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🤨🤔😅
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TRUTH: it takes a LOT of energy to onboard new donors! And, while it is a worthwhile effort, many nonprofits are missing out on a key sector of their audience: pre-existing donors.
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People that already made the decision to give to your cause are essential to the longevity of your organization. But how do you get them to give again?
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Just like a successful marriage requires woo-ing and date nights, bonding and communication … keeping your pre-existing donors excited will require the same.
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A membership group is one way to simplify the process and create this relationship with your supporters. A membership group can look like a club that gets VIP access to certain events, an online group that gets insider or behind the scenes info on what you’re up to, exclusive gifts and more.
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Here are some things to consider before deciding the type of membership group that is fit for your nonprofit:
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✅What role will these members play in nonprofit? Is the purpose of this group fundraising, advocacy, community-building … or something else?
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✅What’s the benefit for members? What experiences or bonuses will they have access to that they wouldn’t otherwise?
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✅What is the cost of the membership? While this speaks directly to the donation level required to join, you also need to consider the cost to your organization in maintaining and engaging the membership, so that you can also establish a cost for that will actually raise funds, too.
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Right now, I’m working with my family’s nonprofit @Pedfoundation to launch the WI PEDalers, a recreation driven membership group to support our cause. Follow our org for inspiration and feel free to reach out to me with specific Qs … I’m happy to offer advice and kickstart your recurring donor adventures 💚
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #non

Many nonprofit orgs seem to head into fundraising

Many nonprofit orgs seem to head into fundraising efforts as if they are holding onto a floatation device and bobbing around awaiting rescue …
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“HELP! We need to fund this.”
“PLEASE! Give us desperately needed money.”
“HI! Money asap would be great, thanks.”

While these statements may be true, it’s important that the sentiment of this desperation is not projected through your messaging and strategy. This means stepping back from worrying about your financial future and instead allowing yourself the space to proactively plan for your NPO.
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Especially considering everything going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, people are overcome with concern and fear of uncertainty. I understand this means you may have reason to worry about your NPOs future - but, what if you gave yourself permission to set that fear aside?
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Instead of thinking: “How do we get money in?”
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Think about: “What do we have here that can offer hope to people?”
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Grant foundations can smell when a nonprofit is applying out of desperation to “get money in,” versus those who offer hope through the message about their nonprofit’s impact - and you’re most able to make this happen when you step back and consider your grant strategy with a clear, calm mind.
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A grant strategy is a long-term game. When conducting grant research, a calendar of applications can be schedule for a year or more from that date. When you’re solid in understanding this, it also becomes easier to step out of panic mode and into impactful strategy.
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If you need help finding grants, I subscribe to this great tool called Instrumentl. It’s a user friendly database with excellent tracking tools.
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Check the link in my bio to learn more … This is a give-give program - when you subscribe, we both earn $50 off a month’s subscription (which is $82). I also offer a free Grant Ready Toolkit … all at the link in my bio
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketi

Nothing. Do you remember the last time nothing was

Nothing. Do you remember the last time nothing was on your mind?
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Allowing ourselves to let go of preoccupations can be so. Damn. Difficult.
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Rumination.
Defined as: continuously thinking about the same things, over and over. Generally, things that are bothersome, worrisome or dark.
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I don’t know that I have to say this but I will: rumination is not healthy for us! But it’s so easy to get trapped by its power.
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While sometimes distracting yourself with other thoughts, tasks or to dos may be useful to avoid rumination - this isn’t the only medicine. And, in fact, it’s important to find other relaxing tools to allow your mind to not only avoid rumination but also reset.
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Without this reset, you WILL burn out. In life. In work. In it all.
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Here are some simple ideas to find this moment of peace and reset:
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- Turn on lyric-less music, grab a beverage and curl up in a cozy place. Just listen.
- Go for a walk. Without your phone.
- Draw a picture, paint something, play with clay.
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What else do you to do relax and reconnect with you? Share your ideas and help us all.
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Together, we’re better — but we’re better for each other when we take care of ourselves, too.
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#nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsulting #nonprofitstrategist #nonprofitfundraiser #communicationskills #communicationstrategy #communicationstrategist #communications #strategiccommunications #grantwritingtips #grantwritinghelp #grantwriting101 #grantwritingprobs #changingtheworld #raisemoney #donationswelcome #boardmember #lookforthehelpers #charitable #communityoutreach #nonprofitmarketing #givebacktothecommunity

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