Want to Start a Nonprofit in Iowa? Class is Planned

Interested in starting a nonprofit in the state of Iowa?

The Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center is hosting a daylong class to help guide you through the process.

Here are the details:

June 8, 2013

Hands-on workshop covers all the legal forms needed to start a nonprofit with

501(c)(3) status in Iowa.

Instructor:

Richard Koontz, Director, Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center.

Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fee: $50 paid by check in advance

Location: Room 265, Boyd Law Building, University of Iowa campus. Enrollment

limited to seven participants.

To register: Telephone 866-500-8980 (toll free) or 319-335-9765 or link to registration form at http://inrc.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cblue98/

Giving Stories Inspire Dedication, Further Giving

When was the last time you shared stories of those who make your mission possible? The answers to any of the following questions would make for great giving stories:

• Who was the first donor to your organization? Why did that person give to your mission?
• Who is your longest standing annual donor? What inspires that person to give?
• From whom did you receive your first estate bequest? Why did that person select you for the ultimate gift?

Sharing giving stories inspires dedication to your great work. It can help inspire further giving. You can share these stories in any number of formats, including:

• Your website and social media presencess
• Your board meetings
• Your events

Here's just one example:
Philanthropist Helen Basler has been supporting causes in her beloved hometown of Decorah, Iowa for decades. Among her most visible efforts is the restoration of the Hotel Winneshiek, which housed low rent apartments in serious disrepair when I was in high school. I have had the honor of listening and inspiring others as Helen shared why she invested so massively in this restoration, "I would be in Decorah and see the Hotel, which seemed to me like a little old lady on a park bench with her hat over her eyes and her hat down around her ankles. I thought it was time sometime gave the little old lady some TLC. I encourage you to go back to your communities and find the neglected little old ladies."

Where else can you find giving story examples?

• The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition includes a "Giving Back" column. You may find an example here. 
• Philanthropic Intelligence has a nice collection of stories here.
• Capacity Waterloo Region offers a Nonprofit Storytelling Guide here.

What are your favorite inspiring stories and online resources? Share them in the comments below.

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vblibrary/

What's Your Asking Style? (Add This to Your Fundraising Reading List Today!)

Photo credit: www.askingmatters.com
 
One of the best facets of my on-the-job-education has been the study of personality styles. Early in my career, my colleagues and I took the Driver, Amiable, Analytical and Expressive test. 

Studying personality styles connected a lot of dots for me that none of my college classes covered. This study was great introspection on the strengths and weaknesses of who I am. This study helped me appreciate both the positive and conflict potential among complimentary and contrasting styles. I've applied the lessons of personality styles nearly every day since that initial study.

The fundraising industry has moved forward by leaps and bounds in recent years by escalating the focus on the donor, and finding the right connections between a funder and a mission. I know that's what you are seeking for in your ongoing efforts to move your mission forward.

To aid you in your efforts, I highly recommend the book, Asking Styles: Harness Your Personal Fundraising Power by Andrea Kihlstedt. You may purchase the book at this link: http://charitychannel.com/bookstore/productid/146/catreferrer/6693.

Andrea's book fills in a critical gap in current fundraising prep: introspection on what unique and wonderful you brings to the table. As illustrated above, the book explores the tendencies we all have towards analytic or intuitive decision making, as well as introversion and extroversion. 

Andrea's insight in Asking Styles is straightforward, valuable and as daily applicable to fundraising work as my initial personality styles study. Thank  you, Andrea.

Asking Styles offers detailed descriptions and questions to help you identify your own style, as well as those of your fellow volunteers, fundraising colleagues, board members and donors. I recommend the exercises, too! 

Have you bought the book yet? 

Any insights to share? Add them to the comment field below. 
 

Why Do Your Donors Drop?

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

If you enjoy regular emails with fundraising perspectives that make you stop and think, I highly recommend The Agitator updates. You may sign up for them here (orange box on the right side of your screen). 

Recently, Agitator spotlighted a Nonprofit Donor Loyalty Primer presented by Bloomerang about why donors drop their support of a previously-chosen nonprofit organization. The primer is based on research by Dr. Adrian Sargeant of Indiana University.  

A summary statement in the primer is another great stop and think moment: 53% of donor departures from organizations they previously supported can be attributed to a nonprofit's lack of communications. 

What is your coordinated communications plan to reach your donors?

• How will you reach out in person?
• How will you reach out through regular mail?
• How will you reach out through the phone?
• How will you reach out electronically?
• What other outreach steps will you take? 
• How will you make sure your communication is regular without being too much?

You may find the full details, a great donor care story, and great graphics from Bloomerang and Donor Voice in a story and series of links found here. 

What do you think?

Worthwhile Electronic Fundraising Reading Part II

Photo credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/mccun934/

This week, FlashPoints continues its look into worthwhile electronic fundraising reading in the forms of studies, tips, tricks and more. Links are listed in alphabetical order by title.

Five Ways to Increase Your Nonprofit's Donations in 2013 comes from John Haydon 

How Small Nonprofits Can Improve Their Fiscal Health comes from the Chronicle of Philanthropy

How to Show Impact? Here's a Great Example comes from Katya's Nonprofit Marketing Blog

#nextgendonors: Respecting Legacy, Revolutionizing Philanthropy comes from The Johnson Center for Philanthropy

Online It All Matters: 5 Interactive Campaigns That Engaged Their Audiences comes from Content Ahas

Open Ended Question Tip Sheet: Advanced Interviewing Secrets helps you build better connections with donors and prospects, and comes from Lisa Sargent

Under Developed: A National Study of the Challenges Facing Nonprofits comes from CompassPoint

Your Fundraising Calendar for 2013 reviews what to expect over a year's worth of fundraising activities and comes from Gail Perry

And thanks to @CTrappe for this submission:

http://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org/marketing/midwinter2013/

Last week and this week combine for 16 worthwhile electronic reads as you move your mission forward. Add your favorites in the comments section below.