How Do You Define Success?

How does your nonprofit define success? For many organizations, success factors might include:

• Number of people served
• Serving people at a deeper level, or with a more coordinated approach
• Effective response to new and emerging community needs in line with your mission 
• Number of active volunteers
• Efficient use of financial and other resources
• Number of donors gained and retained year to year 

So many nonprofits are so consumed with the day to day realities of their work, this question often gives pause. If it gives you pause, consider whether this would be the right time to embark on a strategic planning process. 

If this question gives you pride instead of pause, have you incorporated how you define success into your fundraising process? Have your summarized that success definition clearly and concisely in your case statement? Have you illustrated the progress you are making towards that success definition?

Donors like to invest in success.  Donors' decisions to invest in your mission is positively reinforced when you provide regular updates on your journey to success.

Incorporating your success definition into your strategic planning and fundraising efforts is a great investment to make in an even better tomorrow.  

Best wishes for your steps towards success! 

Invite Three Friends: A Nonprofit Growth Exercise

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

What aspects of your nonprofit most need to grow? 

• Do you need to establish or expand your volunteer base?
• Do you need to start a donor base or grow it?

Whatever your need, the Invite Three Friends exercise offers potential growth for your great work.  Here's how it works:


1. Invite your current volunteers, donors and supporters to participate. Or invite your personal friends. Ask them to join you in an important outreach intended at celebrating their gifts and making your organization even stronger.


2. Have your participants identify three personal contacts with whom they would like to share the impact of their work with your organization. Invite their contacts to an in-person gathering at your organization. Consider whether it might work to host two or three groups of three at the same time. Aim for balance in combining and keeping the group small.


3. To assist in inviting their contacts, make the process easy for your participants. Offer phone and email starting scripts. Prepare paper invite letters your participants can just sign. Assist your participants in following up with any personal contacts who do not RSVP.


4. During the in person meeting, briefly share the impact your participants are having on the organization. Ask a volunteer to share why he or she gives of his time. Ask a donor to share why he or she gives of his treasure. If possible, ask a recipient of your mission to share the impact your work has had on him or her. 


5. Offer a form at the end of the evening that allows your guests to:

• Offer general feedback on what they learned
• Sign up for more information on options that include:
• Joining their contact as a volunteer
• Joining their contact as a donor 
• Joining an email or other update list you might have
• Recommending anyone they think might like to hear more about your work
• Requesting another update in one year

What works for your organization for growth? Share your thoughts below.