Do we want donors to give to their potential? Of course. What if their potential is not with our organization? Would you refer a donor to another nonprofit that matches their interest better (and thus benefiting the community)?

The concept of philanthropy is supporting those causes that we believe in to improve our communities. It is about the common good. This is exactly why donor advised funds are gaining significant traction: individuals who are often impartial and unbiased will listen (truly listen) to philanthropists and their interests and passions; then (good) donor advisors will research nonprofits that will fit the philanthropist’s request.

In the report, Money for Good II (GuideStar), individuals do not conduct much research on nonprofits before giving and their selection can often be because they just happened to be in the right spot at the right time, or attended an event or a friend talked about your nonprofit.

As nonprofits are we looking out for the best interests of donors and our community? Or are we only interested in our own nonprofit? Are we trying so hard to fit round donors in our square nonprofit that it simply does not matter if our donors are passionate about our mission? Is it about community or is it about me?

As I have tried to share resources with nonprofits, I often get a response of shock and then thanks. People from local nonprofits have asked me why I am helping them. Isn’t that a sad commentary that being offered assistance is out of the ordinary. Think about what a different place we would be if nonprofits worked together, collaborated and partnered for the community rather than in competition. Sure there are a few nonprofits that host events together and divide the funds – this is not a partnership rather a marketing effort.

Is it fitting a square donor in a round nonprofit or a round donor in a square nonprofit? I forget.

There are way too many nonprofits that are so small they have no paid staff or maybe one and not much money. These nonprofits are challenged to advance their mission and serve the community.

What the nonprofit sector should be focusing on is growing small organizations so they are better positioned to offer services. This might mean collaboration, partnership and mergers, or it might mean some nonprofits should dissolve. Rather too many nonprofits struggle and just barely get by. It is unfortunate.

Chronicle of Philanthropy article

According to Robert Dickeson during his fundraising workshop in Oct 2011, thank yous go a long way with donors. He is correct. I have received grateful acknowledgements from 6 of 8 nonprofits and I am fairly certain the two that I have not heard from are unlikely candidates to receive a donation from me in the future.

The most impressive was the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute: a board member called me to personally thank me for my “generous” donation. In my opinion the donation was very small but this personal thank you made me feel special. They clearly have my support in the future besides the fact they are a great organization. They wowed me.

Four of the 5 nonprofits that thanked me did so by email messages and of these 3 were personal. Only one sent a letter and this included a personal note written on it. Of the 8 nonprofits, I have relationships with 7 through my work with the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center or my consulting, C2 Strategies. Email is a perfectly acceptable way to receive a thank you.

Thanking donors is important. Think about how you feel when you are acknowledged and then think about the ways you are thanked. Do this for your donors and make it matter.

Some people think they can do the work better than others so refuse to combine efforts to meet with need. It is less about meeting the need than it is about self-orientation (this is all about me doing the good work).

The IRS approves tax exempt status for organizations that some people question. For example an article in Chronicles of Philanthropy, June 1, 2011, by Doug White, wanted to know how a nonprofit was approved who employed Harold Camping, the California radio host who predicted the end of the world.

According to Blue Avocado, there are not enough GOOD nonprofits, http://www.blueavocado.org/content/too-many-nonprofits-no-there-arent-enough-good-nonprofits

The life cycle of nonprofits often begins with good people wanting to meet a need and the solution is starting a nonprofit. It is all volunteers and the first test is getting funds to support your organization.
http://postcards.typepad.com/white_telephone/2007/04/are_there_too_m.html

I do believe that collaborating is what is important and not another nonprofit.

John Elway left on the top of his game. Jerry Sienfeld called it quits when his show was wildly successful. And Opah Winfrey threw in the towel when her show had record viewers to move on to other ventures.

This is about knowing when it is time to step down, gracefully. As Jim Collins references in his Good to Great and the Social Sector, 2005, are you [still] on the right bus in the right seat. If not, maybe it is time to move on. This is much easier said than done. We are invested in the organization we started or have served for many years and it is hard to let go. We often think others do not have the commitment we do to carry on or cannot do the work as well as us. However, hanging is not good. Know when it is time to leave and make sure you are leaving your nonprofit in good hands, this is your legacy.

I have been diagnosed with founder’s syndrome but I learned to let go, let the new people take the lead and grow the organization. When this realization came for me it was a relief. I wish for others the same actualization.

Standford University’s Entrepreneurship Center, http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=2233

Nonprofits are businesses and I think we could do a better job of budgeting and working with others on establishing nonprofit discounts. Maybe we could find ways to partner and collaborate so those who are giving us complementary services and products or discounting these also get something from us. How well do we promote and market the businesses who support our nonprofit? Are we doing word-of-mouth marketing for those who support our cause? Or do we complain about them because what they provide is not free, or discounted enough?

During a recent conversation with a nonprofit colleague, we talked about donors and this is a very sensitive topic. If this were about keeping personal information private I would agree; however, this is about protecting our donors from others who might take them away. Really? Are we so insecure with the support from our donors that we must keep them from other nonprofits?

Donors give for many reasons and among these are because of the mission and work the nonprofit does. Some donors follow the person and give to an organization because they have connected with those doing the good work. If a donor believes in supporting programs for children and are committed to this, they are not likely to support the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center. It simply does not fit for them. If a donor’s interest is nature and is committed to this they are not likely to support senior activities. This is especially the case for donors who budget their gifting dollars or those who have limited resources.

The donor relationship is reciprocal and should be mutual. They support our programs and we keep them informed and continue to do the good work they expect. However, too often we treat our relationships with donors as fragile, tenuous and temporary. If our donors are not committed and interested maybe they should move on (did I just say this?).

So work on improving donor relations, getting them more involved, engaged and committed to your cause.

A minority belief becomes a majority opinion. And the type of network did not significantly change this formula. The key words are committed, unshakable, set in their views, unflappable in modifying beliefs, true believers and agents of change. All of these traits are hard to measure but we know them when we feel this way or when we see it in others.

Implications? Those of us in the nonprofit sector have passion so could we influence just 10% of others to change the world (at least our worlds)? Something to think about.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725190044.htm

For more information check out their website at http://www.thefutureofnonprofits.com/.

This assumes that donors have only one interest. Donors give for many reasons and among these is because they believe in a cause, “I want to support a recreation center so children have a place to go” and because of a connection, “My dad had a heart attack so I support the American Heart Association.”

In fundraising it is about finding those who believe in your mission and want to support it because of the good work you do. It takes time to learn about what people believe in but it is worth it when you connect.

The EPNRC is sponsoring a workshop on fundraising, Wed., Oct. 12, 2011, Fundraising Principles and Practices. Registration is through the Estes Valley Library, http://www.estesvalleylibrary.org/default.asp.