Reflections for the Ride Into 2012

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

This last FlashPoint post of 2011 offers some reflection thoughts for the ride into 2012 for you and your good nonprofit work. Feel free to grab a piece of paper or open your favorite writing software. Writing out your thoughts will likely help flush through them.


1. Make a list of at least three things about your mission work that didn't go well in 2011.

2. Make a list of at least three things about your mission work that went exceptionally well in 2011.

3. Reflect on your mission in your own words and the people you are impacting with that mission. 

4. Use your answers to the above to select and write out what one thing you want to most focus on improving about your mission work in 2012.  

5.  Use your answers to the above to select what one success you want to most keep replicating in your mission work in 2012.

After you're done with your important reflection, FlashPoint would love any ideas you have on topics you would like to see explored in 2012. Click here to submit your thoughts. 

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Thank you for the lives you've saved and changed all year through your mission work! May 2012 be your best year yet for mission advancement! 

Do You Have Your Sales Tax Exemption Certificate?

Are you a IRS-recognized 501 (c) (3) nonprofit with all filings up to date with the State of Iowa and the IRS?

If so, do you have a current State of Iowa Sales Tax Exemption Form ready to give organizations you are doing business with?

It is important to note that exemption from state and federal income taxes does not necessarily exempt you from all sales taxes in the state of Iowa.  For more details, click here.

If you are making a purchase that is exempt from Iowa sales tax, you may not have needed this form when making governmental purchases. If you have your own nonprofit status, you will likely need this form on file for any purchases made by your IRS-recognized nonprofit. You may download the Iowa Department of Revenue Sales Tax Exemption form here. 

Plan to provide a copy of this form to all organizations you are making purchases from that are exempt from sales tax. 

Speaking of State of Iowa nonprofit issues, remember to file your renewal with the Iowa Secretary of State in the spring of every odd numbered year. This renewal involves reconfirming your organizational contact information and registered agent. To learn how you are currently on file,  search for your corporate name on the Secretary of State database here.


What has your experience been with State of Iowa nonprofit issues?


What tips do you have to share?

Create Your Department's 2012 Development Map Book Today

Your department's map book helps you navigate to calls and deploy emergency response resources as quickly as possible. Creating a 2012 development map book for your department can be one of the best time investments you can make to effectively navigate your development realities 

Recommended topics to cover in your plan include:

1. List established city, township or department income sources. If you're in Iowa and only have your budget confirmed through June 30, 2012, make note of that. Indicate expected income beyond that time frame if you can.

2. List planned expenditures in priority order.
3. Discuss planned supplemental fundraising activities with goals assigned.
4. Note of any focus areas for your supplemental fundraising activities to cover any gaps in governmental funding. The most specific you can be with donors on the impact of their gift, the more likely they are to respond.
5.  Outline planned communication and appreciation activities to engage and cultivate your department's donors and supporters.
6. Close with planned evaluation activities throughout the year to keep improving. 


Once you have written your plan, I recommend adopting it at a regular meeting and revisiting it monthly or quarterly to check your progress. Discuss what's not working and what is working. Make it an active part of your activities.

Once your development map book is established, it will be an easier document to update for 2013 and beyond. 


Additional recommended resources for creating your development map book include:
1. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University discussion of an annual plan.
2.  Six Steps to an Annual Fundraising Plan from About.com 
3. Contact FlashPoint Fundraising to request a free copy of the slides from their class presented in September 2011 on How to Write a Fundraising Plan.


What are your development plans for 2012? 
What are you concerned about?
What are you excited about?

The Spirit of the Season: Your Holiday Appeal Letter

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

Everywhere you look, the landscape truly reflects the holiday spirit. The holidays are filled with opportunity to connect with the charitable spirits of your donors, supporters and community members. Many nonprofits receive a significant percentage of their gifts at holiday time through outreach with those to whom they are naturally connected.


The fundraising software firm Conivo recently released a survey forecasting holiday giving in the United States to exceed $48 billion this year. For more details on the survey, click here.

Whether you quickly put it together now or plan for it in 2012, consider a direct mail campaign close to the holidays. 

Potential message points for your direct mail letter include:

• A highlight of calls responded to and volunteer time committed in 2011
• Any stories from satisfied service recipients, with their permission of course
• Specific information on how funds donated will be used
• A reminder of how you are always ready to respond to the greatest emergency need, even if it comes in the middle of the holidays
• If contacting your entire tax base, information on how you've carefully allocated the "mandatory" gift of tax support 

Potential recipients of your letter include:

• Current and past donors and supporters
• Current and retired members
• Grateful service recipients
• Anyone in your coverage area

If you embark on a holiday campaign, make sure you are properly equipped to:

• Track every detail carefully
• Promptly and personally thank all donors for their forever impact on your mission
• Include your tax ID number for donor receipts for tax purposes if you are an IRS-recognized 501 (c) (3) nonprofit
• Use the current year's results as a building block to make next year's campaign even more effective. This should include the ability to thank a specific donor for an exact gift amount this year in future years

What has your experience been with holiday campaigns? 

Thanks for the good you do all year long!