Fundraising Special Events: A Line in the Sand for Analysis

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/misbehave/

Have you found a way to add 24 hours to each day? If so, your department probably doesn't struggle with the need to balance volunteer training and call demands with the time it takes to pull off a fundraising special event.

Independent Sector is a leading national organization that uses research and multiple sources to quantify the value of volunteer time. According to Volunteering in America, the state of Iowa ranks second in the nation for overall rate of volunteerism among its entire population.

When reviewing the Volunteer Sector data, $12 an hour represents the low end of the value scale for the various types of activities volunteers do every day to keep nonprofits moving forward. I feel this is a great line in the sand to draw in terms of analyzing your special event(s). Steps to take:

1. Make a list of your department's special event(s). 

2. Make your best estimate of the total  number of volunteer hours devoted to making the special event a reality. 

3. Divide the net proceeds from your special events by the total number of volunteer hours.

4. If that number is less than $12/hour, your time may be better spent on other fundraising activities. Ideas for such other activities will be discussed in future blogs.

What's working for your department in terms of special events with a net benefit to your mission greater than $12 when you get through #4 above? Add your thoughts to the comments section below.

Breaks Happen: An Opportunity to Build Stronger Community Connections

While serving your public safety mission, breaks in public trust and confidence in your department happen. In their own ways, each break is painful for everyone involved.

Perhaps one of your members didn't behave respectfully on a call or out in public. Perhaps a resident reacted emotionally to traffic being impacted while you addressed a victim's need in a car accident. The list of potential sources for breaks in public trust and confidence could go on and on. 

When was the last time you looked at those breaks as the doctor did in the above collar bone break - as an opportunity to build stronger community connections?

Think of one situation in your department you think represents a "break" for your mission. Maybe it's between members. Maybe it's with a council member or fire board member. Maybe it's with a retiree. Maybe it's with a call victim. 

Sit down face to face with the source of the break. Thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Ask them to share their perspective on why they are upset. Just listen.  

After they've had a chance to share their concerns, repeat the person's feelings about the situation back to them to confirm understanding. 

After you've listened, consider whether there is one action you could implement from that was shared because of the "break." 

An example: Let's say a resident felt one of your volunteers responded too quickly to a call with his or her blue light. Would it be proper to remind all volunteers about the responsibilities that come with the blue light at an upcoming training? 


Keep the source of the "break" informed on your follow up. Let them know you are sorry they had a negative experience with your department.

Breaks are opportunities to make your incredible service to your community even stronger. 


When "breaks" are listened to, treated with respect and kept informed,in almost all cases, community connections will be stronger. 


What break experiences have you had in your department?
 

Setting the Table for Future Connections: A Friendraising Idea

Photo credit: John Althouse Cohen

Many nonprofits have at least one story about the lasting impact of a bequest gift from a will. In most cases, this gift is not known until the person who felt enough of a connection to make the bequest passes on. 

If you've been blessed by a donor who thought so much of your work to name you in his or her will, what did your department do with its bequest?

What could your department do with a bequest? 

What legal and financial professionals (bank trust officers, agents, etc.) do you know in your community? 

Consider creating a 1 page summary of your department that highlights the impact you and your volunteers have on public safety. Make sure the summary mentions how you have or could utilize the ultimate gift of a bequest (training, rolling equipment replacements, volunteer appreciation, etc.) 

Once the summary is finished, schedule in-person visits with legal and financial professionals in your area. Depending on the size of your community, three meetings with different professionals may be a worthwhile goal to set.


There are times when clients come to these professionals with an interest in leaving an impact in the community without necessarily knowing exactly where they want that impact to be. 

By taking the time to connect and share information with those who work with your community members on their will and estate plans, you may be setting the table for a beautiful future connection between a donor's legacy and your mission.

A Labor Day Reflection on the Value of Volunteer Fire Fighters

For over a century in many parts of our country, volunteer firefighters have served as a backbone of public safety in smaller communities. Labor Day is the perfect time to reflect upon just what that time is worth.

Independent Sector studies and reports on the nationwide value of volunteer time on an annual basis. 

For anyone on your department trained at the Firefighter I (FFI) level and above, the 2009 nationwide average of $20.85 per hour is appropriate to use for all time spent on department training and call response.

For those not entering burning structures during call response or for time spent on community service and public education, the 2008 Iowa average of $16.69 per hour is appropriate to use. 

Volunteer time value information can be used to demonstrate the impact a donor can have by donating to your nonprofit association that supports your operations.


An example of how this might work:
1. Your association's goal is to raise $5,000/year to support your operations.

2. You have 15 members trained at FFI & above who give a total of 200 hours a year responding to calls and training. The value of this time is $4,170. (20 hours X $20.85)

3. You have 5 members not trained at FFI who give a total of 40 hours a year responding to calls and training. The value of this time is $667.60. (40 hours X $16.69)


4. Your collective members spend a total of 75 hours per year supporting community activities and conducting public safety education. The value of this time is $1,251.75. (75 hours X $16.69)

5. For every dollar donated to your annual campaign, your members will match that value with $1.21 in volunteer time value.


Many departments have been tracking the types of numbers above for years. In honor of Labor Day, today is a great day to put this information to use in your fundraising operations. 


What's working well for your department in your fundraising communications?