Perceptions Versus Realities

As we have noted in previous eJP articles, fundraising for Israel-based organizations in the United States is not as straightforward as it once was. Generational shifts in approaches to Israel-focused giving have created a new environment where many groups compete on the “open market” for the gifts of major donor prospects, many of whom no longer consider philanthropic support of Israel to be a “given.”

The reality is that new tax changes in the American tax code could result in fewer, more focused major gifts from U.S.-based Jewish philanthropists in the next few years. These donors who may now make fewer “high impact” gifts will most certainly want to be confident that they fully understand which specific goals the NGOs they are supporting are trying to achieve.

The New Jewish Donor

Emerging major donors tend to be highly engaged with their philanthropy and will closely align their giving with both their personal beliefs as well as their Jewish values.

Many American Jews are rethinking and re-directing their giving to Israel, to the right and to the left, as a response to changing dynamics, both religious and social, that the country is currently experiencing.

Jewish communities in the U.S. may be at a crossroads – while many Jews still feel the impending existential threat to Israel’s survival, others have “assimilated” within American culture and may not strongly affiliate with Israel or their local Jewish community as much as they identify with other affinity groups and charitable causes.

The challenge to the Jewish community and to Israel-based NGOs is to not lose connection to this expanding circle of constituents and to find new ways to draw in these “persuadables.” Therefore, NGOs that want to connect with these donors must discover and employ new communication methods and giving vehicles that allow American Jews to express their Israel identities while also expressing additional values that matter to them as well.

The New Charitable Marketplace

One thing remains constant and clear: donors of all persuasions, ages, and regions are looking for places to make tangible impacts with their gifts. At EHL Consulting, we contend that changes – real and perceived – within Israel, and globally around Israel, are an opportunity for U.S.-based donors to “make their voices heard” with gifts that support NGOs that represent their personal interests.

Jewish donors in the U.S. want to find “safe and important spaces for giving” where they can donate their gifts and “transcend politics,” and many new NGOs give donors more options, especially for causes related to non-partisan and non-political objectives.

Where those successful nonprofits are making their impact transparent and clear, you see conservative donors funding social change and liberal donors funding causes relating to security and hasbarah, crossing traditional boundaries.

Communicating Impact for Nonprofits

Successful NGOs must demonstrate their connection across these dual communities in Israel and the U.S., linking the work that they do with the location that they do it in. They also must seek out overlapping communities for support. For example, if an NGO works on environmental justice advocacy in the Arava, that organization would be smart to seek out major Jewish donors who are first financially committed to supporting the environment, and also have an affinity for Israel.

In this way, the paradigm for seeking U.S.-based funding is in the process of shifting. Instead of seeking out Jewish philanthropists who make large gifts first on the traditional basis of support for Israel and then because of the cause itself, NGOs are smart to instead focus on discovering new supporters in their primary mission-area first, with the donors’ connectedness to Israel being a secondary factor.

NGOs can build credibility for their priorities with new donors by demonstrating impact and clearly distinguishing the “unique value proposition” that sets them apart from others. All NGOs, large and small alike, must have a unique product and communicate its value well.

Remember, many things can get “lost in translation” so NGOs must be diligent in reviewing their mission and vision statements and ensuring that that they speak well to an American audience that may be unfamiliar with the finer details of Israeli culture, politics, or social issues.

Success Strategies for Israel-Based Nonprofits

By investing in building relationships with new individuals, from the ground up, Israeli NGOs will find new ways to involve these donors in their organization’s growth and health. Those NGOs that clarify their values, broadcast their mission and vision online, and convey transparency in their process are likely to make a compelling Case for Giving that all donors will find hard to refuse.

The post UPDATE: The Case for Giving at a Time of Social Change appeared first on EHL Consulting.

This overview may provide some useful ideas as you embark on your own plan to build a robust Board of Directors, clearly communicate with volunteer leaders, and raise funds with your Board.

To join our monthly workshop, sign up to receive alerts for the upcoming events.

Our Highlights

Slide 6: Building Your Board – Where to Look?

To find new Board members for your nonprofit, first research organizations with missions similar to yours or complimentary to your work – look at their Board but also their major donors. You should also access the “Circles of Influence” of your current Board members. Ask Board members to engage their social and professional circles in order to diversify the Board.

Young professionals are usually looking to bulk up their CVs. Look for young professional networks that relate to your cause. Bonus – many corporations will match Board giving. Additionally, local universities often have continuing education courses that engaged professionals participate in, usually supported by his/her workplace, that can be great places to look for prospective Board candidates.

Finally, look in your own backyard! Who has been actively engaging with your nonprofit over the past year? Who has been steadily increasing their donations and/or involvement levels over the years?

Slide 9: Building Your Board – Making the “Ask”

Approach making the “ask” like you would with a major donor…because Board members are major donors! Prospect Research is important to understand why prospective Board members are good candidates. For example, why is this person a good fit for your Board? Where else are they currently volunteering? Where else are they major donors?

During your meeting, make sure to answer the Three Essential Questions: Why me? Why now? What for?

What specific talents does this individual bring to your Board? Why are you impressed with him/her? What value does he/she bring? Tip: it must be MORE than just financial resources!

Why are you recruiting this individual now? If they are a past volunteer or donor, mention this commitment. If they have been in the news lately, mention how much you admire their momentum and drive towards your specific cause.

Finally, highlight the benefits of Board membership, and focus on the specific goals and objectives your nonprofit wishes to achieve in the next one-to-two years. What projects will the prospective Board member be working on? What can he/she expect to achieve?

Slide 12: Retaining Your Board – Play to Their Fundraising Strengths

To work with your Board on fund development effectively, the best first step is to clearly define “fundraising.” It is important to note that fundraising is a process and not an event. Fundraising is not just “asking for money.” Rather, it is a process of identifying prospective donors, cultivating current donors, requesting funds, making connections, and stewarding supporters.

Board members can be involved at any step in the fundraising process – not everyone needs to ask…but someone does!

It’s also important to remember that very few Board members enjoy feeling like they are sitting on the Board as a “trophy” or “token” member. Instead of constantly asking for introductions, give Board members specific projects that they can take ownership of and feel proud of accomplishing.

For more information, feel free to review our fundraising services section to learn what we do to help our clients advance their own culture of giving every day. Or contact us today!

The post Building Your Nonprofit Board: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent appeared first on EHL Consulting.

We saw several successful campaigns launched following Hurricane Sandy – and, recently, the Boston bombing tragedy demonstrated how a combination of immediate response, leveraging social media, and clever outreach can earn significant results overnight.

“After the Boston Marathon bombings, there was an outpouring of support from people wanting to donate to the victims, their families and the first responders who worked tirelessly on behalf of the nation,” explains Stephanie Kapera, a contributor at Software Advice.

Crowdfunding’s Impact on Disaster Fundraising
She goes on, “In the wake of the tragedy, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, a nonprofit organized to help those affected most by the event.”

“One particular strategy—crowdfunding—helped The One Fund Boston attract considerable attention. The nonprofit has received an outpouring of donations from organizations including shoemaker New Balance, Major League Baseball and Simon Property Groups, among many others.”

Disaster Giving Often Exceeds Fundraising Goals – and Quickly
Kapera interviewed Joe Waters, Selfish Giving‘s founder, for his insight on how other organizations can adopt similar crowdfunding strategies in response to tragic events – as a means to help those impacted by such tragedies.

Using both Teespring and Pinterest, supporters were able to collectively raise more than $20 million in a matter of days.

Here’s how:

1. Act Quickly
2. Leverage Online Influencers
3. Use a Multi-Channel Approach
4. Use Hashtags
5. Use Visually Appealing Content

Crowdfunding can be a powerful fundraising strategy for nonprofit organizations that form in response to a crisis, and tools like Pinterest and Teespring can amplify individual fundraisers’ efforts. For more detailed strategy, read Kapera’s original article here.

The post Crowdfunding on Social Media to Raise Money appeared first on EHL Consulting.

In this presentation, Avrum D. Lapin gives an overview of the common misperceptions about Israel-based nonprofits, Jewish donors, and millennial donors. He discusses the consequences of these misperceptions, and provides strategies for Israel-based nonprofits to successfully navigate this new environment and communicate their missions effectively.

To receive invitations to our exclusive workshops and events, sign up for EHL Consulting’s Mailing List!

Our Highlights
Slide 8: Realities of Young Jewish Donors
Academic data suggests that younger Jews are increasingly engaged with Israel online through reading newspapers, reports, and social media updates from NPOs and blogs. Recent changes in Israel are an opportunity for younger, U.S.-based Jewish donors to “make their voices heard” with gifts to appropriate NPOs in Israel.

Plus, the continued shift towards online donations for lower level gifts puts the power in the donors’ hands to find out about new causes that suit their personal interests.

Slide 10: The New Jewish Ecosystem – Collaboration, Not Competition
With the increase in numbers of NPOs in Israel seeking U.S. representation and donors, it can seem as though the market is getting too crowded. However, we feel that the more NPOs are represented in the U.S., the stronger Israel’s reputation as a vibrant ecosystem for nonprofit innovation will be.

The increased number of reputable nonprofits help to build a strong reputation for Israel, and also showcases Israel’s diverse communities. These NPOs can help to inform the American Jewish perception of Israel. Jewish donors in the U.S. want to find “safe spaces for giving” where they can donate their gifts and “transcend politics,” and many new NPOs give these donors more options, especially for causes related to non-partisan and non-political objectives.

Slide 13: Success Strategies – Understanding Your Value to Donors
—Online communication makes reaching unique, complex communities of support easier than ever before, but you must be consistent.  Donors have many options, and you have to “keep in front of them” to ensure that they remember to give to you!

Donors from the U.S. can make a bigger impact per donation when they contribute to smaller, more nimble Israel-based NPOs. The American Jewish community can “vote with their dollars” by contributing to causes that more directly mirror their own beliefs and values (Examples: Women at the Wall, civil liberties, etc.)

For more information, feel free to review our fundraising services section to learn what we do to help our international clients advance their own culture of giving every day. Or contact us today!

The post The Case for Giving at a Time of Change appeared first on EHL Consulting.

Setting the Stage
Prospective donors to every campaign have highly individualized notions of why they might consider a significant gift. It is the professional and volunteer leadership’s task to guide each prospective lead donor toward the synergies between the vision for the campaign and his or her interest and goals.

To be a successful campaign leader, members of that elite volunteer team must also be substantial and capability donors. Remember, campaign stewardship is a job that demands every volunteer’s personal dedication to the vision and purpose of the organization.

That starts with every campaign leader “having skin in the game,” that they must be committed financially. Campaign leaders must have the ability to speak from their own experiences and use their own generosity to encourage others to step forward generously. This begins with campaign leaders making their own capability gifts to the campaign, enabling them to make the compelling argument to the lead or major donor to “join me.”

Asking for Leadership Gifts
So how are those first crucial campaign commitments obtained? Before any conversations begin about financial support, the organization must prepare a detailed and assertive campaign plan that determines the important steps and initiatives of the effort. The “first task” of obtaining initial and lead gifts then typically falls to the organization’s executive and campaign leaders to raise the subject as the campaign planning gets underway.

All too often, staff leaders of nonprofits become reluctant to approach their campaign leaders and broach the notion of lead and major giving. Fear often strikes them, so they try to cultivate at an arm’s length with the rationalization that the campaign leaders are already “giving so much time” and they don’t want to “offend” or “bother” them by asking for financial gifts, and that the “gifts will come.” Our advice: put these thoughts aside!

Understanding Leadership Roles
When campaign leaders are recruited, the commitment to personal capability giving must be part of the “deal.” They must agree to it in order to take on the role.

While professional staff should always show respect for campaign leaders and not take advantage of their time commitment, they must make the discussion about a leadership gift an early step in the campaign.

Note: remember the synergies mentioned above … campaign leaders take on leadership roles in every visible public campaign for their own reasons as well. Their activity must be played out on terms that benefit both sides. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes!

Every new campaign faces the same set of critical questions: who makes the first commitments, and when, and how will this set the pace for the balance of a campaign?

When recruiting campaign leaders, we ask them to step forward with a personal commitment to lead in all ways, with the “three ‘W’s” – Wealth, Wisdom, and Work. Achieving this as a central purpose of every campaign’s quiet phase will enhance the potential for campaign success.

Absent their own gift, or a gift at what their peers may see as reflecting capacity, it will be far more difficult, in some cases impossible, for campaign leaders to ask others to make leadership gifts as well. Leaders lead and followers follow.

Making a Confident Request
Considering the importance of campaign leadership gifts, how then should nonprofits approach their top campaign leaders about making their own capability gifts?

We encourage our clients to approach campaign leaders in much the same way that they would want to be approached: with enthusiasm, understanding, sensitivity, knowledge, and a sense of humor.

Before broaching the important question of financial commitment, executive staff must understand the campaign leaders’ connections to the organization and their motivations for becoming involved with the campaign – again, those synergies. Couple that with prospect research, together with anecdotal information, that will help to determine the leaders’ financial capacity, framing the approach for the gift.

We encourage the team (and it must be a team of at least two presenters, not one-to-one) doing the important “ask” to be assertive in setting face-to-face meetings with each campaign leader. They must be straightforward in their approach and emphasize the importance of the donor(s) investment toward the campaign’s overall success.

They must demonstrate confidence when requesting the gift, and be ready to provide strong reasons why the campaign leaders must step forward with a lead or major campaign gift reflecting their capability for the effort that they have chosen to lead. The team should be ready to discuss forms of recognition that the campaign leader will receive in return for the commitment at a capability level.

Conclusion: Start Now!
Our immediate advice for all executive staff working with campaign volunteer leaders is to begin the outreach and asking process as soon as possible. Once campaign leaders have “skin in the game,” their attitudes and interests in obtaining major gifts from others will change.

A strong focus on capability gifts from campaign leadership combined with a sincere effort to better get to know your campaign leaders and major donors will be the stepping stones to fundraising success.

The post How to Start a Fundraising Campaign appeared first on EHL Consulting.

This overview may provide some useful ideas as you embark on your own plan to create a robust social media program for your nonprofit in the coming months. We guide users of all comfort levels through Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced social media utilization techniques.

To join our monthly workshop, sign up to receive alerts for the upcoming events.

Our Highlights
Slide 5: Who Are You Talking To?
Users of your social media come to you from all levels of involvement. Remember, anyone can see the content you put out there, including: your executive staff, Board of Directors, stakeholders, clients, funders, and donors. Therefore, we recommend that you, “Write everything as if your grandmother (or Board President) is reading it.” Ensure that there is not anything online that will compromise your agency’s reputation or prohibit it from receiving future funding.

Your social media must be consistent with your other communications. Don’t trust “just anyone” to create your social media content! The tone and voice must be consistent with your organization, not the person who is responsible for generating content.

Slide 10: Nonprofits on Facebook – Your Second Website
Facebook is best used for broadcasting and feedback, not fundraising. For Beginners, it is important to post the right content. Try to ask open-ended questions and respond whenever possible, and always stoke conversation between your organization and the fans as well as fan-to-fan interaction. Best practices dictate that you should post at least once a day, or as often as your organization has fresh content. Most importantly, try and vary your content: some text, some pictures, some video.

For Advanced Facebook users, customized cover photos offer your fans on Facebook the opportunity to help promote your mission, events, or upcoming fundraising campaigns. To do so, you’ll need to have the right photos, plus some basic graphic design skills. If you’re using stock photos, always buy them, never “borrow.” You must ensure that the resolution and size are correct, i.e. high-resolution, and rectangular. Always include your logo and website when possible.

Slide 16: Ticketing Sites – Leveraging Reputation Currency Most third-party ticketing companies will let you use their platform for free if your event is free. When the event is paid, ticketing sites will usually take a percentage or a flat-fee per ticket, plus processing costs. We recommend that you always give their customer service representatives a call because many companies will offer a discount/waive certain fees in exchange for recognition as event sponsors.

The benefit? Information and access! You’ll know the names and email addresses of everyone that utilizes the ticketing service (something you can’t get access when using Facebook Events alone) plus most ticketing services have built-in social media integration, so ticket “buyers” will be able to share their involvement via their own personal networks. Results? More free exposure for your nonprofit!

For more information, feel free to review our fundraising services section to learn what we do to help our clients advance their own culture of giving every day. Or contact us today!

The post Nonprofits and Social Media Tools appeared first on EHL Consulting.

In considering five challenges in the nonprofit sector that Pallotta highlighted, we see definite messages for the nonprofit community.

Challenge #1: Staff Compensation
“We have a visceral reaction to the idea that anyone would make very much money helping other people,” Pallotta rightly noted, affirming that we rarely have the same reaction to people making lots of money by not helping other people.

Securing professional leadership for any nonprofit is key to its success. Hiring decisions must be made with the knowledge that any organization is doomed without professional leadership that is capable of ensuring that the work of the nonprofit always advances, and not something done in a dedicated leader’s spare time.

Thus, appropriate executive compensation is a critical tool for every nonprofit when recruiting and retaining the best talent. Without a continually competitive compensation package, those professionals who were drawn to the nonprofit sector in the first place are apt to wander.

Takeaway:
Invest smartly in employees. For all nonprofits, this could include flexible commuting, additional paid time off, or other benefits beyond salary.

Challenge #2: Advertising and Marketing
“We don’t like to see our donations spent on advertising in charity … as if the money spent on advertising couldn’t bring in dramatically more sums of money to serve the needy,” Pallotta argues. Specifically, digital advertising is often the last line item on a nonprofit budget. Yet, there is an argument to be made that it should be the first.

A professional, unique, and well-designed website is a critical indicator of reputation and trust to consumers. Every major corporation today is dependent on its website and social media presence to reach new customers and convey its “value proposition” to the world. A strong website indicates a strong and vital business.

Why then are so many nonprofit websites outdated, hard to use, and poorly branded?

We believe that donors should be able to visit an organization’s web site for timely, compelling, and persuasive information. Too many organizations seem to view their websites as passive, promotional vehicles. And without a webmaster in charge, organizations fail to update their information frequently and adequately.

Takeaway:
Creating and managing an effective website requires an investment of time and professional expertise, but it is time and money invested wisely. With the ever-evolving tools available on the Internet, building a professional, easy-to-update website is easier and more cost effective than ever before.

Each nonprofit must establish a website that communicates its own individual philosophy, programs, and “business” to donors, constituents, and potential friends.

Local colleges and universities can be great resources for web development work, as well as informal social networks. Spread the word that you are looking for a web developer and designer. Often, a relatively small investment is enough to develop a site that will truly open the doors of communication.

Challenge #3: Taking Risk on New Revenue Ideas
“Nonprofits are really reluctant to attempt any brave, daring, giant-scale new fundraising endeavors for fear that if the thing fails, their reputations will be dragged through the mud,” Pallotta contends, and this is one of the reasons the nonprofit sector is stuck all too often trying to solve new problems with the same ideas and approaches.

Too often, nonprofits do not project out far enough to substantiate their innovative inclinations. If a new campaign or marketing effort is part of a larger five-year plan to develop new donors, than a low return on the first year’s mailings does not reflect a failing, it reflects steps in a process.

Nonprofits must create compelling and realistic Business Plans to strategize about these long-term objectives, and assuage the early doubts of investors that must be counseled to stick with the project beyond Step 1 and for the long-term.

Takeaway:
Create a business plan. A business plan offers organization and guidance in decision-making to leaders and is an increasingly important tool being sought after by for prospective major donors.

In the undisciplined charitable climate that we find ourselves, every iota of business sense that is demonstrated together and in concert with the embrace of caring and compassion enables the nonprofit to climb one more rung on the credibility scale and ultimately on the priority scale of prospective supporters.

While we recognize that it is an adjustment for many nonprofit executives and managers it is one that is being made by many and must be joined by all.

Challenge #4: Time
Today’s increasingly complex and competitive environment requires nonprofit agencies to continually advance their efficiency. Prospective top level volunteer leaders and major gift donors expect that the community-based organizations that they lead and support are managed with care and commitment to excellence that will enable every stakeholder to be served appropriately and completely.

Unfortunately, limited staff sizes see many nonprofit workers (especially fundraising staff!) often “wearing many hats” and being stretched too thin to accomplish immediate tasks, without the time to brainstorm and develop long-range strategies.

Takeaway:
All too often we see agencies cutting corners, sacrificing a measure of their success by “making do.” And while we understand the beckoning of the bottom line and the budgetary limitations facing every nonprofit, we do underscore the utility and the value of setting aside time to think about “big picture” agenda items that will truly inspire major donors to make an investment in your future, right now.

Create a mini-staff retreat, or reorganize your weekly staff meetings, to take the time to address and answer the critical questions that you may be “too busy” to prioritize, but that you cannot afford to overlook. Only by knowing where you want to go will you be able to figure out how to get there.

Challenge #5: Profit to Attract Risk Capital
We often hear people remark that nonprofit organizations should operate like businesses, but charitable organizations don’t make widgets or cars. They enable individuals and communities to succeed at achieving their mission and goals by doing what they do: education, culture, counseling, and addressing quality of life issues.

Nonprofit organizations that operate with the direct or indirect financial support of the public must take that support and public trust seriously by operating with up-to-date business practices using acceptable business instruments and tools. One of these tools includes attracting the types of donors who are willing take a risk on helping your organization achieve its most visionary and ambitious goals.

Takeaway:
We contend that nonprofits are not “businesses” but rather service institutions that depend on operating with critical business practices, and those practices sometimes include the taking risks. We believe that pursuing these practices will help nonprofit leaders understand the nature, scope, and priorities of their constituencies.

By sharpening their capability to market themselves and their services/products, nonprofits can position themselves to obtain the dollars that will make it possible for them to grow.

Conclusion

“We should be investing more money, not less, in fundraising because fundraising is the one thing that has the potential to multiply the amount of money available for the cause that we care about so deeply.”

– Dan Pallotta

The old fundraising adage goes, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” We must ask ourselves, as a community, several critical questions. How are we holding the nonprofit sector back? What changes can we make to help the nonprofit sector succeed?

What we will get is a new way of thinking, a new way of working, and hopefully … a new way to save the world.

The post Five Tips for Nonprofit Success appeared first on EHL Consulting.

In a benchmarking report conducted by Blackbaud, it shows that 70 percent of first-time donors will not give again. The Benchmark Study helps to outline five effective retention strategies to turn first-time givers into lifetime supporters.

1) Consider The First Gift an Acquisition Gift
Demonstrating to a first-time giver the lifetime value of their support is essential. Invest time in building a relationship with these supporters, teaching them your mission and sharing long-term goals.

2) Pay Attention to the Donor’s Message
Giving attention to simple information can give you detailed insight into your donors’ minds. Taking a look at geographical location, the amount of the initial donation, and how a particular donor was acquired can help your develop a strategy to building a lasting relationship.

3) Show Gratitude to First-Time Donors
Demonstrating gratitude is important to build trust and a sense of recognition among donors. Acknowledge their support and show them–specifically–how it’s helped your organization’s mission. Furthermore, go beyond a single thank you and be sure to thank a donor multiple times, as your organization advances its efforts throughout the year. This makes a donor feel valuable and engages them for a period of time after their initial support.

4) Continue to Engage Your Donors
Building on continued thanks, ongoing engagement is important to fostering real connections with your supporters. This helps tailor outreach based on donor involvement and metrics. Custom messages increase the likelihood that a supporter will continue supporting an organization’s efforts. The Charity Dynamics/NTEN study shows that donors prefer using a charity’s website to gather information about an organization, followed by email and Facebook. Utilizing the most popular channels for supporter communications makes a message’s outreach more widespread and, therefore, effective.

5) Convert to the Next Stage of Giving
Once a relationship has been established with a supporter, it becomes time to move into the next stage of giving: a supporter’s next gift, whether that be via a recurring donation, a second charitable contribution, or a membership renewal.

For more nonprofit management research and suggestions, visit Software Advice.

The post Donor Retention Strategies for 2013 appeared first on EHL Consulting.

We look at the challenges, strategies for success, communications and other ingredients to advance your giving culture for your organization.

To join our monthly workshop, sign up to receive alerts for the upcoming events.

Our Highlights
Slide 6: Same Donors, Different Programs
Even small programs or pilot initiatives may resonate strongly with your current donors who have not been recently “wowed.” Use new or updated programs to activate your lapsed donor-base. Remember, you need to make an effort to keep a current donor while you are constantly seeking that new donor!

Slide 7: Diversify Your Communication Mix
With more and more “routine” transactions occurring online (paying bills, receiving notifications) direct mail offers an opportunity to excite and delight your potential donors. Consider writing “hard copy” thank-you notes for online gifts, and always include a response device…especially one that highlights monthly giving opportunities. Don’t forget to test: when sending direct mail pieces, test different designs and response devices, and code recipients in your donor database to understand what messages your donors are responding to the most.

Slide 10: Create a Story Bank
You already have great examples of the work you do happening every day…go find them! “Banking” stories assures that you always have real-world examples ready to demonstrate your efficacy to stakeholders, volunteer leaders, and potential donors. Send surveys to volunteers with open-ended questions that encourage storytelling such as, “What did you learn while volunteering with us?”

For more information, feel free to review our fundraising services section to learn what we do to help our clients advance their own culture of giving. Or contact us today.

The post Nonprofit Fundraising Strategies: Making It Sizzle! appeared first on EHL Consulting.

###

As a private consulting firm that exclusively works with the nonprofit sector domestically and internationally, we urge Congress not to impose any limits or caps to the charitable deduction.

As a supporter of the Charitable Giving Coalition, we are committed to ensuring that members of Congress understand the significant and detrimental impacts that a proposed reduction to the charitable deduction would have on the clients we serve, and their constituents, in turn.

We believe that the proposed limit of itemized deductions could adversely affect charitable giving. People in the United States give to worthwhile causes for many reasons—incentives such as tax deductions being among them. Tax incentives make more and larger gifts possible, and they do have an impact on donors.

Since our founding in 1991, we have worked with more than 400 nonprofits across the globe. During this time, we have been involved in a variety of fundraising initiatives. Based on this experience, we can say with authority that for those donors who plan their charitable giving based on the ability to reduce their tax liability through charitable deductions, the proposed cap could negatively impact their willingness to make philanthropic contributions to any number of worthy charitable organizations.

As America continues on its long road towards economic recovery and vitality, a strong philanthropic sector is a necessity, not a luxury. The nonprofit sector, with its varied service-based organizations and community institutions, provides a critical safety net for millions of American citizens in need.

Nonprofits and charitable organizations supported through the generosity of millions of philanthropic Americans have been crucial during times of upheaval and uncertainty in our country, particularly in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.

As you can imagine, any cap or limitation on charitable deductions undermines charitable giving and would have long-lasting negative consequences for nonprofit stakeholders around the world. The crucial work of the nonprofit sector – developing medications and vaccines, improving public education and health, protecting the environment and our oceans, creating jobs in a variety of sectors, enhancing appreciation for arts and culture – is more important than ever, and increasingly relies on the support of individual philanthropists.

This is not the time to dismantle the charitable giving deduction – not while local, state, and federal budgets and nonprofits continue to suffer the consequences of America’s recession: increased demand for services with significantly fewer resources to get the job done effectively and efficiently.

The charitable deduction is much different than other itemized deductions in that it encourages individuals to give away a portion of their income to those in need. It rewards a selfless act, and it encourages taxpayers to give more gifts to charities than they would otherwise have given.

In 2011, individuals gave $298 billion to support charitable causes, according to Giving USA. Much of that giving is claimed as a charitable deduction by millions of taxpayers each year, meaning they are not subjected to federal income taxes on money they give away to charities.

Data suggests that for every dollar a donor gets in tax relief for his or her donation, the public typically receives three dollars of benefit. No other tax provision generates that kind of positive public impact.

We urge you to maintain the current charitable deduction to promote a vibrant charitable sector and the benefits the sector provides to the economy and the American public. America’s strong philanthropic tradition should not be dismantled by imposing limits on a 100-year tradition that encourages giving through charitable donations.

We welcome the opportunity to speak at future hearings in order to discuss the unique value of the charitable deduction.

We encourage all of our readers that are concerned about the charitable deduction to contact their elected representatives!

The post We Wrote to Our Representatives! Have You? appeared first on EHL Consulting.