From the President's Office
Dear Friend:
I'm frequently asked by reporters how to judge a nonprofit organization. They know that their readers are increasingly concerned about whether their hard-earned dollars will be well-spent when they make a contribution. I urge the reporter to save the focus on finances and those misleading overhead ratio questions for later, and instead start with these two simple and profound questions: what is your organization's mission and how are you trying to accomplish it? It's amazing how many organizations can't answer this. Or can't answer concisely enough to avoid a long speech or hammering out a long memo with footnotes.
GuideStar's mission is straightforward: we want to empower people to take action. We believe that enabled with GuideStar data, donors can make better and more confident decisions and nonprofits can be more effective and efficient, thereby increasing their impact. As the 2009 giving season picks up pace, I want to mention a few things GuideStar is doing to help both your organization and your supporters succeed: ... Read more >
Top 10 Year-end Fundraising Strategies to Put You Over Goal on December 31
The fall fundraising rush is upon us. You are probably deep in your year-end fundraising campaign. And this December should be a big one. The fundraising outlook for year-end is looking more positive. Donors who were reluctant to give earlier this year seem to be feeling more generous right now. This year your year-end campaign needs to be the best ever. Here are my Top 10 Strategies that will help you zoom past your year-end goals. ... Read more >
Social Media Is Going Mobile, and So Should Your Nonprofit
As the Web goes mobile, so does social media and so should your nonprofit. If there is one thing I have learned over the last 10 years of using the Internet for fundraising and mass communications, it is that the nonprofits that can embrace change quickly, empower their visionaries, and adopt new Web trends reap the benefits of being early adopters. ... Read more >
Family Volunteers
A new nonprofit geared toward getting young children involved in volunteering was recently launched in Austin, Texas. The organization, called Little Helping Hands, was founded by Marissa Fogel. In a September 8 press release, Fogel explains her reasons for starting the cause: "I started Little Helping Hands to inspire community service in early childhood and to show that it can be a fun and positive learning experience for the entire family." ... Read more >
Get Going On Planned Giving
In the midst of our recession there's greater interest in gifts from estate plans, as donors have less disposable income to donate right now. In any economic climate, planned giving programs help build endowments, cement lifelong relationships with donors, and create a long-term stream of income. Here are ideas to kick-start your organization's fundraising with a planned giving program. ... Read more >
Secrets of the Charismatic Organization
Where some nonprofits are chronically underfunded, others can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars at a single event. Their boards are full of energetic, knowledgeable, and connected people. They have grown steadily over the last decade. They are the go-to groups on their issues, the places to work, the leaders in their fields. The reason for the success of these nonprofits is not charismatic leadership. Not every charismatic leader runs a successful organization. ... Read more >
New Resource for Nonprofits: GuideStar Exchange Tutorial
Are you familiar with the benefits of listing your organization on the GuideStar Exchange? Are you comfortable with the GuideStar Exchange Form? Do you know how GuideStar’s visitors use the information provided through the GuideStar Exchange? If you answered, "No," to any of these questions, we have the solution for you. ... Read more >
This Month's Webinars
- Nov. 11—GuideStar Exchange: How to Give Donors and Funders the Information They Need and Want. Register now >
- Nov. 18—How Nonprofit Organizations Can Successfully Utilize YouTube and Animoto. Register now >
Top 10 Year-end Fundraising Strategies to Put You Over Goal on December 31
Social Media Is Going Mobile, and So Should Your Nonprofit
Secrets of the Charismatic Organization
New Resource for Nonprofits: GuideStar Exchange Tutorial
