Two Internet Studies for Your Nonprofit Planning

Two recently released Internet studies are worthy of your time and review for your nonprofit planning:

1. For the first time in the Pew Internet Research study's history, a majority of American adults have now adopted smart phones for their everyday use. You may review the full details of the study here. Smart phone usage is most predominant among those in the 20's and 30's age groups. How mobile friendly is your online presence?

2. The 2013 KPCB Internet Trends report can be found in a 117 slide report on Slideshare here. Among the many interesting insights in this report:

• More than 500 million photos are now being shared online everyday via applications like Flickr, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. 
• 100 hours of video are now being uploaded to YouTube every minute. 
• 11 hours of sound are being uploaded online every minute, an emerging trend.
• 15% of Americans are sharing "everything" or "most things" online. 
• There is a growth in application use where you help me, I help you, and we help others. How might you connect with this positive trend to move your mission forward? 

After your own review, what do you think of these two studies? What lessons will you be taking back to your own planning? 

What other studies do you use for your nonprofit planning?



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

 

One to Watch For: An Upcoming Nonprofit Tool

Could your nonprofit benefit from great access to pro bono resources? Is the list of projects you want to move forward long, but limited by available funding and resources? If so, you might want to keep your eye out for a new online tool being developed.

Last month, the Taproot Foundation announced a collaborative effort with Hewlett-Packard  (HP) and LinkedIn to advance the online pro bono marketplace.

Utilizing a grant from HP, once developed, Taproot will provide one common application integrated with LinkedIn APIs to help nonprofits discover mission critical pro bono resources, as well as help business professionals bring their expertise to nonprofits they care about. 

As of this blog writing, the Taproot Foundation had delivered more than $118 million in pro bono services to nonprofits. You may explore 119 common pro bono projects on their homepage here. 

Next to the nonprofit section of the home page, you may also learn more about how your unique skills and talents might be applied to nonprofits who need you. The home page also has a 3 minute, 23 seconds video outlining the Taproot Foundation mission.


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

IRS Notes

 

The Internal Revenue Service has been in the news lately with regards to allegations about review of conservative organizations and more aspects of the management of this government organization.  

The IRS recently released frequently asked question and answer information regarding their nonprofit process. You may access that information here: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Questions-and-Answers-on-501%28c%29-Organizations

A question I am frequently asked is once a nonprofit organization is approved by the IRS, what is the required wording for receipts provided to donors . According to IRS publication 1771, that requirement may be met with the following wording:

Thank you for your cash contribution of $X that (organization's name) received on (date). No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.

The most important note in this week's update:  Don't let IRS notes become any sort of overriding focal point for your critical work. Keep your focus where it should be: on keeping your donors fully engaged with meaningful information on the impact of your gift. Your heartfelt, prompt feedback and ongoing updates on their support has far more value for your donors and for your mission than any IRS requirement. 

Absolutely honor all requirements of being an IRS-recognized nonprofit, including the above recommended receipt wording.  Honoring these requirements is as critical as a grocery store visit to having food in your home. However, remember where the true value is: it's in having loved ones in your family, as well as donors and service recipients in your nonprofit to share the fruits with of your efforts to save and change lives.

Thanks for all you do!

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

Growing Your Team: Brainstorming Fits for Fundraising Involvement

Would you like to grow the team focused on executing your fundraising and development plan?  It starts with taking steps to communicate the task of fundraising as everyone's business.

What are some common characteristics of good fundraising volunteers? They include:

• Those who you know feel connected to your cause (a good starting point for any involvement)
• Your current donors
• Anyone who you consider to be a good listener, who likes to experience the stories of others
• Those who love people 
• Those who are connected in your community, who know a wide range of people
• Diligent record keepers
• Good writers 
• Those willing to make an investment in your nonprofit's mission to solidify credibility before others are asked

Once you've identified people with the skill sets above, consider forming a development committee to assemble your fundraising plan, execute it and make regular progress reports to your board of directors. Remember your development committee's central mission is to demonstrate the meaningful work of your mission and connect that work with your donors.

As with any volunteer team, develop ways to demonstrate appropriate appreciation for their gift of time, talent and treasure. 

What works well for you and your fundraising volunteers?


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