A free fundraising newsletter with tips, hints, suggestions and secrets all for the fundraiser EN /use-regular-events-to-increase-your-nonprofits-visibility.html Thu, 08 May 2008 10:34:22 +0000 To help clarify the purpose of your nonprofits mission and to elicit maximum support, membership should understand that every meeting or event that occurs in front of the public is important. Simply put it is a chance to get the word out and build support for your nonprofit's causes. To help with that thinking, here are 12 reasons to always make the most of each event. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /touch-a-truck-fundraiser.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:34:22 +0000 Is your nonprofit looking for a brand new fundraiser? One that's fun? One that will attract participants that normally wouldn't come to your fundraising events? One that is family friendly? And oh yes, one that raises money? <br/> <br/> Welcome to "Touch a Truck", where kids of all ages can climb, discover and explore their favorite things on wheels. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /promotional-products-and-school-branding.html Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:34:22 +0000 When making purchasing decisions for the school year, pretty much anything a school will buy could also bear the school's mascot, but frequently won't. The unfortunate fact is that there are a number of schools that do not factor in branding when they are planning their annual budgets, when they really should. Those schools might simply not realize that the industry has more than your typical pompoms and jerseys that they can imprint a school mascot on. Not to mention some schools might not even see the benefit of maintaining their brand. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /are-school-bans-on-food-fundraisers-appropriate.html Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:34:22 +0000 One of the hot topics in schools for the past few years has been nutrition and the foods that are available at school. Parents want to know that their kids have nutritious foods available in the cafeteria. <br/> <br/> Even when there are healthy foods there for lunch, will the students eat that or the junk from snack machines? That led to restrictions on soft drinks and snack machines in many schools. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /are-you-teaching-students-these-important-lessons-during-a-school-fundraiser.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:34:22 +0000 When your school decides to pursue a fundraiser for a particular need, it is very easy to focus on that goal with laser-like intensity. The time and effort required to pull off a successful fundraising event requires this kind of commitment from everyone involved. However, I contend that there are also numerous opportunities for children to learn some very important life-lessons along the way. I believe that it is our responsibility as adult leaders to ensure these lessons are not glossed over in the rush to raise dollars. We should be coaching parents on how to discuss what goes into a fundraiser and why it is important for the students to be involved in a positive manner. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /firing-bad-employees-before-they-destroy-your-nonprofit-organization.html Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:34:22 +0000 Employees and volunteers that work in direct opposition to the mission of a nonprofit organization need to be counseled and/or fired. The reason is obvious, clients will believe that the behavior and attitude reflect the organization. Bad employees and volunteers can affect funding, clients coming for assistance, and overall morale in the office. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /creating-and-using-fundraising-flyers.html Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:34:22 +0000 It doesn't matter if you're selling candy bars as a fundraiser or holding a fundraising auction. Most nonprofit groups will find that using a flyer as a promotional tool for your fundraiser will significantly boost your bottom line. The use of fundraising flyers can play an important roll in reaching your fundraiser's goal. <br/> <br/> A fundraising flyer will increase your community's awareness about your fundraiser and help pre-sell it. It's advertising pure and simple. And everyone knows, "If you don't advertise a terrible thing happens - Nothing!" <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /foundations-dont-fund-general-operating-costs-or-do-they.html Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:34:22 +0000 Do you still believe that tired old legend about how difficult it is to find foundations that support general operating expenses? <br/> <br/> It's one of the grant writing myths that even I bought into. Why not? The foundation that I worked for for a number of years generally dissuaded grant seekers from applying for general operating expenses, preferring to fund specific programs and capital. Foundation trends did, for a number of years, steer away from funding organization general operating expenses. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /tips-for-managing-your-small-nonprofit-organization.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:34:22 +0000 Many people are involved with helping small, nonprofit organizations, in a variety of roles. Organizations range from semi-organized children's sports teams, to local chapters of professional societies, to well-established charitable service providers. The range of organization and management varies as well, from seat-of-the-pants, one or two people overwhelmed from doing the bulk of the work, to professionally managed with paid staff, and everything in between. Here are some tips to help you and your organization become more effective and successful. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.] /when-to-say-no-to-volunteer-help.html Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:34:22 +0000 As someone who is actively involved with a non-profit organization, I'm sure the thought of actually turning away people who want to help seems a little crazy. When all of us are so over-worked and over-stressed, we should welcome those who wish to make our loads lighter, right? <br/> <br/> Well, let me answer that by saying that not all volunteer help is created equal. I know that this is a sensitive subject, so I want to stress that I greatly appreciate all those who have a heart to serve. In my time leading non-profits, however, I have learned that there are a couple of circumstances that require a guiding hand be used by the group's leader. <br/> <br/> I believe that there are two major reasons to say "no" to volunteer help. <br/> <br/> [content summary only. click on the title to read the full article.]