A Jaws of Life Tool to Help Access Your Fundraising Potential

Public support of the Fire Service is often quite strong. It can be a humbling and energizing experience to have large percentages of a rural community attend a benefit meal hosted by the local fire department. The training and equipment those extra events support are critical to keep firefighter and public safety moving forward.

Supplemental fundraising for fire departments must exist because public funding will never be about to fully support their public safety missions. The passion those in the Fire Service have for their department's mission is nearly unsurpassed across any type of nonprofit work. Yet, fundraising is often perceived to be an F-word.  People assume it's the same thing as begging. A perception exists that too much time is involved. In short, unlocking a department's fundraising potential needs a jaws of life tool.

What ideas, tools and tips are available to capitalize on the passion that your members have for your mission? The most comprehensive, positive, and passionate book on this critical topic that I have come across in years is Fired Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion Into Action. It's written by Gail Perry of Gail Perry & Associates. 

If you're an officer or fundraising chair for your department, I strongly recommend this great tool. You may purchase one for yourself through the Amazon Associates Affiliate Link below:
 

Over a Cup of Coffee: The Best Time Investment You Can Make in Your Department's Unfunded Potential

One of the cornerstones of fundraising is often expressed as, "If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money." 

Asking in any fundraising program has its place and can be very successful. However, it's seldom appropriate to do so on the "first date."

Consider the following simple to implement idea to start laying the groundwork towards your department's unfunded potential:

1. Make a list of key names with experience with your department. These names may include:

• Council members and/or fire board members
• Local business leaders
• Active local volunteers
• Retirees from your department
• Regular donors to your department
• People who have benefited directly from your services

2. Try to have at least 25 names on this list.
3. Ask 1-2 other officers or active volunteers to join you in this efforts. Consider inviting someone from your Auxiliary, too.
4. Develop a list of 5-6 open-ended questions geared at gathering feedback on your department. Examples might include:

•  What strengths do you think XYZ Department has?
• What do you think XYZ Department should be working on?
• What if anything have you heard about our department you think we should be aware of in order to better serve the community?
• Recently, X happened (major call, bond issue, etc.). Any thoughts on that you'd like to share?
• What questions do you have for me about your department?  (use this opportunity to gently introduce topics in your top 3 current initiatives)

5. Schedule coffee (or other appropriate brief meeting) with one key contact per month. In doing so, let the key contact know you are gathering feedback to help create an even better department and you'd be honored by their feedback.


6. During the meeting, simply listen. Even if the feedback is negative, thank the contact for the feedback. Resist the urge to be on the defensive. If you have an annual report or regular email update list, ask the contact's permission to add their name to the list.


7. Upon returning from the meeting, find a way to thank the key contact for their feedback via phone call, email or, for the greatest impression, a personal note. 


8. Find a way to make historical note of the feedback through (at the bare minimum) an email. Basic donor and volunteer software systems are a best practice to add to your department. For more information on system options, contact Dawn Svenson Holland.


9. Repeat the outreach with the most passionate and fire department-connected contacts you meet at least once per year.


10. This outreach list is your key target list for your next capital or other community campaign.


What is working well for your department in terms of community feedback? Share your ideas below. 


Make it a great week!

Thank You Calls: The Best Reason You'll Ever Have to Be on the Line

When was the last time you picked up the phone just to say thank you? Thank you calls can be the best investment you make the future of your department.

The next time your department has a special event, direct mail campaign or other fundraising, try this at your next association meeting:

1. Bring a list of your in-kind and cash supporters of the event. 
2. Call them. 
3. Do nothing more than thank them for their most generous support of your department. 
4. Share with them specific information on the difference their support will make. For example, if your event means you can buy new bunker gear, let the donor know that.
5. Do not ask for an additional donation. Only thank. 
6. Answer any questions the donor has. Get the answer for the donor if you do not know.
7. Record your outreach in the donor's record for historical record.
8. Enjoy your donors and your association members enjoying their experience with your department event more. 

What thank you approaches are working best for your department? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for all you do to keep your communities safer! Contact Dawn Svenson Holland to discuss how your department can further engage your donors today.

Special Announcement: Link to Check Your Nonprofit Status Against May 17 Deadline

Are you already a 501 c 3? If so, are your 990 filings up to date? Up to 5,797 Iowa nonprofits may have their tax exempt status revoked on May 17 without current 990 filings. To check if your department (or other nonprofit you work with) falls under this risk, follow these steps:

The Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics has developed a simple tool to find out if you need to file. Here’s how in 3 easy steps:

(1) http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/PubApps/statePicker.php?prog=epostcard&display=state

(2) Select Iowa and then enter your nonprofit’s name. If there is an alert “FILE NOW” by your nonprofit’s name, then

(3) Determine whether a Form 990 needs to be filed by May 17 (This will depend on whether the nonprofit’s fiscal year is a calendar year.)

For more information about this new federal filing requirement, see the Frequently Asked Questions About Automatic Revocation section of the IRS Website:  

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=221600,00.html 

 

Google Alerts: A Distinctive Flower of Information for Your Department

Distinctive irises are currently gracing my backyard and side of my house. Much like these irises, there is a distinct online tool available to help you with whatever topics are of primary concern for your department currently. You've probably heard of Google Alerts. They are a  tool to ensure you have regular access to the newest online postings regarding topics of greatest interest to you. Essentially, Google Alerts become your own online researcher. Today's post walks you through how to set them up.

The first step is to decide what topic or topics you'd like more information on. It generally works best to set up Google alerts for no more than three topics. Anything more could overwhelm you with too much information and too many emails. For purposes of this how-to, these instructions will focus on one Google alert for "radio narrow banding."


1. Visit http://www.google.com/alerts
2. Type in the Search terms box, radio narrow band (using the shorter version of "banding" is recommended to maximize the information you receive on this topic)
3. Click the drop down arrow next to Type and determine whether you'd like a comprehensive alert (basically everything online), news sites, blog sites. etc. Blog sites are your best chance of hearing directly from other firefighters on your issue
4. Click on the drop down arrow next to How often and chose the frequency of your email updates
5. Select your preference on volume in the drop down arrow next to Email length
6. Type in the email address you would like to receive the alerts at in the box next to Your email
7. Click on the box Create Alert
8. Repeat the process for any additional topics you'd like to add

There will be a link at the bottom of each email you receive from Google that allows you to remove alerts that are no longer relevant to you, create another alert or manage your alerts.


What topics are most helpful for your Google Alerts? What other tools do you use for research? Share your ideas below. Make it a great week!

The Donor Bill of Rights: Starting Point SOPs for the Fundraising in Your Department

 
Every fire department has wonderful and inspiring stories to tell in terms of fundraising - the quiet community member who makes a donation each year that stretches the limited equipment budget, the passionate supporter who surprised the department with a bequest in her will. These donors strengthen your department's operations through their amazing generosity. How do you integrate proper appreciation for them into your department operations? Where can you find starting points for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for fire department fundraising?

The Donor Bill of Rights was developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute. The Donor Bill of Rights was created, "To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support." 

These Bill of Rights principles include informing donors of how their resources are utilized, ensuring transparency in terms of access to organizational information, appropriately acknowledging and recognizing donors, ensuring donor privacy and creating a dialog where prompt, truthful and forthright answers are given to all questions. Consider printing a copy of the PDF link above and posting it at your station. 

What one thing can you take away and act on from the Donor Bill of Rights today? Consider these three ideas:
1. Look over your list of donors from the past year. Call each of them or send them a letter explaining what you were able to do because of their support. For example, if donated funds allowed you to replace aging bunker gear, let them know that an explain briefly why it's so important to your safety and the chance to possibly save others. Don't ask for another donation on this outreach, simply thank the donor.
2. Post your most recent financial statement on your website. Offer a way for someone reviewing it to ask questions. Ensure the question is answered within 48 hours.
3. Consider a station tour once a year where your donors are personally invited. Prepare a brief 15 minute program that highlights your department's activities. Thank those in attendance as often as you can. Take pictures and go visit any donor who couldn't attend, just to share. 


What ways are you acting on the Donor Bill of Rights in your department? Share your ideas below or contactFlashPoint President Dawn Svenson Holland for a more one on one discussion. Make it a great week!