by Jason Dick on August 11, 2008
I’ve mentioned this on some level before (More About Using Board Members) but I thought I’d speak here in a little more depth. I have found board members and advisory level volunteers to be great barometers for how my organization is viewed publicly. Often these people will tell you what they really think when someone else will not. They will also do so in such a way that includes advice as to what you can do to improve.
Beyond simply invaluable feedback your board is often your best connection to the community. Your largest donations often come from a board member’s connections and your board member’s solicitations. If you are a small or large organization using your board members to help you engage and raise money from the community is one of the best things you can do. Because board members are volunteers their opinions to the public lend a great deal to your reputation. If they as a non-staff community leader say you are a great organization many will believe you are.
What ways are you using board members to advance your mission? Have you found them to be significant assets to your organization? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
by Jason Dick on August 6, 2008
Earlier this week in my post, Tuna or Caviar, I talked about serving good food to your donors. Today I’m going to talk about how much and how almost any nonprofit can do this. Eating well does not mean eating a lot. Appetizers are a great way to serve high quality food at a lower cost than a full meal. If you have tasty food and enough quantity to give everyone a sampling there is no need to gorge everyone on appetizers. Donors want to be “wined and dined” but they do not need to think that you have an endless food budget.
It’s all about being strategic with the money and guests that you have. It does not take a lot of food or large portions to accomplish your goal. Food is not present so that your donors have the chance to chow down. In fact if they come for the “free food” then they probably are not coming for the right reasons and are not going to be a significant donor.
Unless your charity involves cooking or preparing food or you have a celebrity chef you do not want food to be at the center ring at your event. When people leave they should be talking about your organization and what they learned about you.
by Jason Dick on August 4, 2008
Another update for the grants section I wanted to make you aware of. Feel free to contribute awards and grants that you hear about.
The Puget Sound Grantwriters Association will award a $2,500 grant at their “Sweet Sixteen” Annual Fall Conference. The deadline is August 29, 2008 and to find more information about their guidelines visit their website.
Artez has a conference coming up in Toronto, Canada, on September 9, 2008. The conference will be about online fundraising and will discuss Facebook and Google and other popular tools you can use. If you are interested in more details or would like to sign up visit their website.
by Jason Dick on August 4, 2008
One new lesson I recently learned is that the food at your events needs to be at the “level” of your donors. What I mean is if you want “wealthy people” at your events your food needs to be high-caliber and gourmet. Peanut butter and jelly slices or Costco platters just will not do.
If your donors and board members attend your events with great food and a beautiful set-up they will be eager to show you off and give to you as well. Your donors will turn into advocates by inviting their friends and associates. If your donors are going to invite their friends then you better not have cheese cubes and deli meat slices.
This simple little trick can put your organization in the same league as your local hospitals, universities, or United Way. You do not need to have a huge budget or a lot of food present; you just need to present yourself well. And if your guests see you as a major player they will start acting (and giving) like major players themselves. This will also set the stage for you to keep and attract high-level community members to your organization.
What kind of food are you serving your donors? Do you usually have food at your events? Have you ever used this strategy before? Leave a comment and let us know.
