Worthwhile Electronic Fundraising Reading

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This week's FlashPoints features links to various worthwhile fundraising topics found in nice, concise format online for your electronic reading pleasures. Share your favorites in the comments section below. 

4 Ways Nonprofits Can Get Started with Mobile (and 4 Ways They Shouldn't) from Selfish Giving

Donor Perspectives, a white paper from Blackbaud released in October 2012

How to Make Your Story Standout from Charity Comms

Nonprofit Sector Trends to Watch in 2013 five minute video from Blackbaud CEO Marc Chardon

Popcorn: Videos That Behave Like the Web Itself from Mozilla Foundation COO Ryan Merkley at a TED Talk (4.5 minute video). If you decide to use the tool, you can find a tutorial here. 

Top 5 Philanthropic Marketing Trends in 2013 from Stelter, the Personal Philanthropic Company 

Women Give 2012 study from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University explores how boomer women and older give as much as 89% more than their male counterparts

Enjoy this worthwhile electronic fundraising reading!

 

Connection Ideas: Building Your Nonprofit's Capacity

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With limited time and resources, what connections might build your nonprofit's capacity? Building on last week's reading list post, here are a few ideas:

1. Visit the extensive resources on the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center website. While there, sign up for their helpful quarterly newsletter that addresses nonprofit issues in Iowa.

2. If you are in the Linn County area, consider the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Nonprofit Network. Various networking groups are available for area nonprofits. Send an email to the helpful and talented Katie Giorgio to request being added to their email list. 

If you're not in Iowa or the Linn County area, research online to determine whether a community foundation in your area or a chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals may offer local nonprofit connection opportunities.

3. On a broader geographic scale, explore the resources of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Although many site resources require membership, there are some free resources available on the site that are particularly relevant if your mission is in that area.   

4. If you are an IRS-recognized nonprofit, it's a great idea to have bookmarked Form 990 Resources and Tools for Exempt Organizations.  If your fiscal year ended in December, have you started your 990 work yet?

5. If there is a specific topic you would like more information on for your nonprofit's operations, fundraising or anything else, never underestimate the power of your favorite search engine. Use your analytical skills to weed out the junk that may be out there and focus on online communities with information to share.

What are your favorite connection ideas to build your nonprofit's capacity?

What's on Your Fundraising Reading List?

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Instead of the usual research highlight or single topic fundraising item, this week, FlashPoint takes a step back and shares a fundraising reading list. Some of them are classics we think should form the core of any fundraiser's reading list. Some are recent or pre-ordered additions to our list we look forward to learning from. They are listed alphabetically by book title.


The Artful Journey: Cultivating and Soliciting the Major Gift by William T. Sturtevant 

Asking Styles: Harness Your Personal Fundraising Power by Andrea Kihlstedt

Brandraising: How Nonprofits Raise Visibility and Money Through Smart Communications by Sarah Durham

Cause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit Millennial Engagement by Kari Dunn Saratovsky and Derrick Feldmann. This book releases in March 2013


Donor Centered Planned Gift Marketing by Michael Rosen

Fundraising for the Genuis: The Only Book You'll Ever Need to Raise More Money and Support for Your Organization by Linda Lysakowski


The Influential Fundraiser: Using the Psychology of Persuasion to Achieve Outstanding Results by Bernard Ross and Claire Segal

Keep Your Donors: A Guide to Better Communications and Stronger Relationships by Tom Ahearn and Simone P. Joyaux


The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors by Russ Alan Prince and Karen Marie File 

Winning Words for Raising Money by Laura Fredricks, author of "The Ask" and "Developing Major Gifts. The e-book comes out in March 2013.  

These are just ten examples that cover a wide range of fundraising topics. What's on your reading list? 

Finite Resources? AFP Has a Deep Support Tool for Your Fundraising

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Does/is your nonprofit:
1. Have an operating budget of less than $1 million?
2. Have a fundraising department of less than two full time equivalent (FTE) staff?
3. Individually incorporated or otherwise organized as a separate entity in the laws of your country of operation? 
4. Not affiliated with a larger institution supporting your operations?

If you answered affirmatively to each of these four questions, your nonprofit qualifies for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Small Nonprofit Membership! 

AFP is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions. Founded in 1960, AFP advances philanthropy through its 30,000 members in 230 chapters throughout the world.

AFP membership unlocks a vast array of fundraising tools include:

•  Website resources (access to the members only section at http://www.afpnet.org
• Regular email updates 
• Access to ongoing trainings to help you make the most of your finite resources while maximizing your fundraising results 

You may access the AFP Small Nonprofit Membership page here. You may download the application directly here.

This category of membership costs $150 year and includes benefits delivered to one person in your nonprofit. The membership may be transferred to others if your designated recipient leaves your organization. 

In my opinion, if you qualify, the AFP Small Nonprofit Membership is one of the best investments you can make in moving your mission forward.