Online Donor Patterns: Is Your Nonprofit Prepared?

Google recently released a study to its nonprofit clients of online donor behavior. The study findings include results of a survey completed by 982 people, as well as analysis of online behavior of more than 2 million people who agreed to the tracking. 

The findings indicate some general patterns, including:

• Video plays a tremendous role in capturing online attention. 
• 75% of donors start research of charities they consider gifts to online. 
• 40% of survey respondents conducted nonprofit research on their mobile phones.

Given the wide proliferation of nonprofits online, how does your nonprofit start such a presence without budget or significant available time among volunteers? Some ideas to consider include:
1. Setup a free blog on www.blogger.com or another platform. Post updates on your activities. Try setting a goal of one post per month as you get started.
2. Consider creating a channel for your organization on www.youtube.com. Post links to your videos on your other online locations. 
3. Create a Facebook page for your organization and invite your friends to join it.For more information on the steps involved in creating a page, click here. 
4. If this isn't the right time to add online donations to your mix, consider adding a Contact Us portion to each of your posts where a live person would provide prompt information on how your organization might receive donations (mail, in person pickup, etc.) 

What online patterns are you seeing?
What tools are you using to respond to those online patterns? Share your ideas in the comments section below.

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/z428/

Have you scheduled your nonprofit's 2014 retreat?

We all need to find our ways to effectively retreat from the day to day demands of the world, recharge and refocus. 

For my husband, one way he retreats is to take his motorcycle for long rides. One way I retreat is to explore drawing projects, something I have not done often enough. Our retreats are taken away from our regular work and family demands. Our retreats allow us to reflect and try to be more effective in our lives and careers in the future.

Making time for a retreat is equally important for your nonprofit. 

Your retreat will be most effective if you find a quiet location away from the regular demands of your mission to truly 

How will you effectively move forward with the great work you do in 2014 if you don't set goals and define what progress looks like?

Here are some resource ideas for making your retreat for 2014 planning great: 

• William Moran of the Moran Company offers an excellent Nonprofit Board Retreat Agenda in his Resource Library here. 
• You may replay a Chronicle of Philanthropy discussion on How to Hold a Great Board retreat here. 
• The Canoe Group offers six suggestions to stimulate value at your next board retreat here.

An equally important success factor in your 2014 retreat is incorporating reports on your progress at each 2014 board meeting.

Have you scheduled your retreat yet?

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stella12/. At Applewood Estate in Flint, Michigan, on retreat with the AAHC Board.

IRS Tools to Apply for Nonprofit Status and Stay Exempt

Are you thinking of applying for federal recognition of nonprofit status for your group? 

The Internal Revenue Service  (IRS) recently released a review version of its interactive Form 1023. the standard used to apply for federal nonprofit recognition, which falls under Section 501 (c) (3) of the tax code.  The review version is available through September 20, 2013. 

When the full version is released, it will start the process of electronic submission. Anyone who has printed the small book required of the current paper submissions knows this is a nice step forward. 

If you will be submitting a 501 (c) (3) application on Form 1023 soon, be aware for your planning purposes that the IRS is currently reviewing applications submitted over one year ago, so it will be some time before you hear on the status of your application. 

The IRS also recently released a 37 minute video overview course about applying for Section 501 (c) (3). This video will help you prepare for the application steps and the ongoing requirements of federal nonprofit status.

A third tool offered by the IRS is of benefit to current and prospective 501 (c) (3) organizations. Titled Life Cycle of an Exempt Organization, this website section provides many links and details about the intersection points between your nonprofit and the IRS.

Nonprofit IRS setup and ongoing compliance is a critical first step towards effective fundraising efforts for your organization.

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

Are You on Autopilot With Your Supporters?

Recently, I heard a first hand account of a story that gave me pause to watch for an unintended risk in nonprofit work.

A friend was contacted by a political campaign who just opened up operations for a long-out campaign, consistent with the trend that running for office is starting earlier and earlier. 

The new staff member who contacted her was polite and positive. This person asked for an easy entry and involvement point, which she declined, citing personal circumstances. Overall, the interaction was positive. 

Despite these positives, she left with a sense of disappointing "auto pilot" mode. The assumption was made in the call that she must again be supportive of the candidate. There was no confirmation of her continued support or request for her input on the call. Her support was assumed as being on auto pilot, despite the years that have passed since the last campaign.

This approach is a good fit for a large volume of activity demanded by political campaigns. However,

Is the nonprofit community on auto pilot with established supporters? 

Is your nonprofit on auto pilot when it comes to conversations with your established supporters?

When was the last time you communicated with an established supporter, just to check in and not ask for anything?

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