The Small & Mighty Fundraising Minute

A few quick tips on challenge grants: what are they, how can they help you grow your list and raise more money, what can you do to make them more successful?

I have created a LinkedIn group focused on wellness and self-care resources for nonprofit professionals. Check it out, and share your stories and ideas!

Finding the right words to describe your organization and its work will make your outreach efforts more effective and will help you and others connect to your mission in more authentic, meaningful, and compelling ways. You can start by asking yourself some of the questions I suggest in this episode.

I am sharing some notable statistics about how much online fundraising and donating has increased over the last year. Online giving is not going anywhere — if your organization is not expanding its capacity to attract online gifts, you've gotta get onboard, or that boat is gonna leave the harbor without you!

There is one simple thing that you can buy for less than $20 that I promise will reap huge returns for your nonprofit organization. Give it a try. You won't regret it!

Now that we are coming up on almost a year of pandemic living and working from home, here is a new idea to help your organization create connections with companies and their employees. Because who doesn't need a stronger sense of connection to others these days?

Have you been going so hard for so long that you don't realize what is broken, what needs to be fixed, or what requires attention?

If you feel nervous or reticent about asking a potential donor for a gift, just remember that if you're not asking them, someone else - someone from another organization - is asking.

The end of August or beginning of September provide a great excuse to reach out to your existing donors and give them a little update on your work. Even if your organization does not do anything related to schools or education, this time of year will always feel like “Back to School” and end of summer vacation. Listen to this week's quick episode for some tips on reaching out, without necessarily asking for anything.

What's a “stock proposal,” and how will it help your organization be more agile and responsive when funding opportunities present themselves? Learn more here: https://pitchconsulting.com/stock-grant-proposal/

Pandemic Proposal Writing: How does proposal writing look at different during the COVID-19 pandemic? Should the content of your proposals be different? Are there things that you should or should not write about? I've got some resources that can help you!

What did I do that led to a 113% increase in visits to my web site? Hint: web site analytics! Listen and learn more....

Are you a person who makes things happen, or who lets things happen? I've found that there is a difference between staying authentically engaged with potential clients (or potential donors) and pushing too hard. If I stay authentically engaged, it might take longer, but clients and I can have fruitful relationships with great results. If I push too hard to work with a potential client, I might not get the gig, or I might get it but it won't work out the way that I'd like. How do you know when you're crossing the line between cultivating and pushing?

Through January 9, 15% discount with code BDAY2020. If you, or someone you know, is looking for some fantastic, targeted resources to help you raise more funds with greater clarity and ease, head on over to pitchconsulting.com and check out the Small & Mighty Membership program. This sale only comes around once a year, and it doesn't last for long! You will get time-tested, How To resources on everything from proposal writing, to finding new donors, to taking care of the donors you already have, to building more effective nonprofit boards, to conversation starters on topics in philanthropy and fundraising. I'd love to have you join our tribe!

My word for 2020 is: EASE. What does that look like in my work life, my personal life, and my clients' work?

Just because it is early December, that does not mean it is too late for your organization to end the year with some strong fundraising accomplishments. Shift your perspective and go for some “easy wins.”

Pssst... There is a secret to securing larger foundation grants for your nonprofit organization. It is probably not what you think. In fact, it is probably easier than you think. Check out my FREE guide, "Is That Small Grant Worth It?"

Are you bold and unapologetic when you talk about your organization?

A funny anecdote from an Oscar-winning actress reinforces the idea that sometimes your silly mistakes can be your biggest blessings.

Some nonprofit organizations assume that they cannot do anything fundraising related in the summer: everyone is on vacation, no one is around, etc. I say: Nonsense! Summer can be a fantastic time to connect with donors. When donors are not as distracted by things in the office, other commitments, or other nonprofit organizations, they are available to connect with you in more authentic and fun ways. Here are a few tips and ideas to inspire you.

Can you find inspiration from an unexpected source? Is there someone you are overlooking? Who is your “Nun”?

Your organization's fundraising event doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Build an event that looks and feels like YOUR organization, and you'll create something that differentiates you in the marketplace and attracts enthusiastic supporters.

Tips for recycling and reusing content (article, data, research, photos, etc.) so you can make the most of your time and resources.

One week left to join the Small & Mighty Membership program at the lower annual rate! (Of course, the podcast will always be free!)

Ask the kinds of questions that will help donors, volunteers, board members, and others connect more deeply with your nonprofit.

Here is why you should not pursue that “Moonshot” donor, the pie-in-the-sky, long shot donor that will never be yours. I've also got some tips to help you convince others that it's not aspirational to pursue such donors; it's wasteful.

Articulate not just what you want FROM your board members, but also what you're committed to providing TO your board members - so they can help the organization grow and they, themselves, can grow as leaders

Are you working so hard to make things perfect that you are losing out on good opportunities? Is all of your careful planning and analyzing really about achieving excellence, or is it more about control, or fear? How do we avoid making the perfect the enemy of the good?

My side hustle - a network marketing company - has taught me a few things about fundraising, and vice versa. There are surprising parallels! Authentic storytelling, turning your donors/board members into fundraisers, thinking more expansively about prospects... listen for more.

It's that time of year! The holiday season means parties, trips, gifts, time with friends and family, and… The time of year when many of us make charitable donations. The choices can seem overwhelming. How can you decide where to give, and how much? Here are a few tips to guide and inspire you.

You are the CEO of a company: You, Inc. For that company to thrive, you have to invest in it. Financial planning, training, marketing... it's all part of the big picture!

It's Giving Tuesday! The Super Bowl of online giving. Make a gift, join the fun, and feel your heart grow. And, if your nonprofit is running a Giving Tuesday campaign, keep your expectations realistic and understand the true value of today's engagement - listen in for more on this idea.

There is one thing you can do for your donors, volunteers, and staff that will ALWAYS be appreciated, doesn't have to cost you a penny, and will make you feel good, too. Can you guess what it is?

Creativity does more than just help your work get noticed. When you practice creativity, you develop the skills that will help you create new solutions and confront challenges in unconventional ways.

At a small(er) organization, you're expected to do it all. And be good at all of it. But that's not realistic. Make choices that play to your strengths, and call in support and reinforcements for the rest.

Why I kinda hate “elevator speeches,” and what I suggest as an alternative, a better way to engage and build relationships with potential donors and partners.

Here is your asking-for-money pep talk! A few ideas to get you beyond your anxiety and doubts, so you can make the ask. You can do this!

Given the new tax laws, should you send your organization's annual, year-end fundraising appeal at the end of the year? Or should you send it at another time, so you can stand out from the pack?

Five Important Things: a writing prompt to help you enliven your writing and bust through writers block.

What is the biggest mistake that nonprofits make when they are putting together their proposal budgets? (Other than bad math... Don't even talk to me about bad math...)

There is an old adage in fundraising: Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money. Which should you do?

What are the hidden costs of your fundraising event?

What's the difference between corporate giving and corporate sponsorship? Which is right for your organization or event?

You may have heard people talking about a charitable foundation's “990.” What is it, why does it matter, and what is the most important thing to look for in that document?