From the President's Office
Dear Friend:
We're now entering that time of the year when most Americans take the extraordinary step of making contributions to charitable organizations and many charities receive the majority of their annual revenues. We at GuideStar recognize that there is growing demand from the giving public to provide help in making better and wiser decisions, and we're exploring many ways to do so. At the same time, we're disappointed at some of the simplistic and inappropriate ways being used to judge charities, which we think often miss the mark or fail to measure adequately the impact of a nonprofit organization. For many of us, making a year-end charitable contribution has become something of a tradition. We need, however, to take care to assure that writing that check or clicking that donate button doesn't become a reflexive ritual that we perform without thought.
Making a charitable donation is a powerful act that allows us to create a positive, personalized impact on the world around us. With so many nonprofits performing such a wide variety of good works, it should only take a little bit of effort to find a financially efficient organization with a mission that closely matches your personal convictions. Choosing where to give is a process that can be divided into two basic steps. ... Read more
The 20 Biggest Fundraising Mistakes, Part II
Last month, we published fundraising mistakes 1-10. This month, we complete the list.
11. Failing to Have a Strong Rationale. Before setting out to raise money, each organization must think through the rationale for its appeal: why do the funds need to be raised, what will they achieve, and who will benefit?
The mere fact that you and your board need money won't stir people, no matter how well organized your effort. ... Read more
Is Your Organization Ready for "The Boom"?
Baby boomers are reaching retirement age but not heading out to pasture. This new generation of volunteers wants to contribute—in meaningful ways.
The "boom" years of 1946 to 1964 boosted the country's population by 77 million citizens. The baby boomers have shaped our culture, from their political activism in the 1960s to their business savvy in the 1980s and beyond. Presently we see the leading edge of the boomers hitting retirement age. Consider these statistics:
- In January 2006, the first boomers began turning 60, with an average life expectancy of 83. ... Read more
The Nonprofit Persona: Tips to Ensure
Consistent Messaging Across Mediums
How to adapt the presentation of your message to different mediums without compromising the message itself.
Television, direct mail, e-mail, events—there are many channels that nonprofits use to disseminate information. Each of these mediums differs in the way it delivers and communicates information. Certain elements, such as a visually creative story, are more essential to a medium like television than to an event. The single-page direct mail letter is going to be significantly different than the 60-second public service announcement. ...
Read more
Branding Helps Reveal
"The Best-Kept Secret in Town"
The secret to making your organization stand out from the crowd.
Be honest. Have you ever said or thought that "our organization is one of the best-kept secrets in town"?
Plenty of folks in the nonprofit sector—at both the local and national levels—use exactly those words when referring to the good works their organizations perform. For some it has become a mantra. ... Read more
IRS Update, November 2007: Updated Compliance Guidelines for Public Charities and Private Foundations
Two updated publications can help you keep your organization in the IRS's good graces.
It's not always easy being part of a 501(c)(3) organization; keeping track of all the rules and regulations involved can be a daunting task. The IRS, however, has recently made things a bit easier by issuing updated versions of two useful brochures for public charities and private foundations.
Publications 4221-PC and 4221-PF are designed to aid organizations in understanding the requirements involved in retaining their tax-exempt status. ... Read more
GuideStar on the Road
GuideStar staff members will be at the following events this month.
Click here to learn more.
- Nov. 8: Kentucky Nonprofit Leadership Forum 2007, Lexington, Ky.
- Nov. 8-9: AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) Not-For-Profit Financial Executive Forum, San Francisco, Calif.
- Nov. 9: AAGP (American Association of Grant Professionals) 2007 National Conference, Arlington, Va.
- Nov. 11-14: Blackbaud 2007 Annual Conference, Charleston, S.C.
- Nov. 13: 2007 MicroEdge Solutions Conference, Miami, Fla.
- Nov. 13-14: 2007 Southwest Regional Leadership Forum, Norman, Okla.
- Nov. 15-17: 2007 ARNOVA (Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action) Conference, Atlanta, Ga.
In This Issue
The 20 Biggest Fundraising Mistakes, Part II
Is Your Organization Ready for "The Boom"?
The Nonprofit Persona: Tips to Ensure Consistent Messaging Across Mediums
Branding Helps Reveal "The Best-Kept Secret in Town"
