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January 2022

Yes, you need Julia Patrick’s 5 tips for annual nonprofit planning

#031 – Today I am speaking with Julia Patrick.  Julia is the founder of the American Nonprofit Academy.  Her mission is to bring education, leadership, connectivity and collaboration to the nonprofit community.  She produces and hosts the nation’s ONLY daily 30 minute nonprofit broadcast called The Nonprofit Show. She interviews nonprofit leaders from around the country and world.  There are almost 500 episodes in the archive.

Julia shares that funders are looking for financial commitments from your board.

“what percentage of your board is financially invested in your organization?”

“Newsflash, if it’s NOT 100%, then you’re going to lose some funding. And that doesn’t necessarily mean huge amounts of money. It could be a hundred dollars, it could be $10, but that is something that funders across this country are looking at.”

She adds that you can be creative by scholarshiping younger board members who may not be able to meet the financial hurdle.

Check out the American Nonprofit Academy at – 

americannonprofitacademy.com

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Resources

  • Website
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Boardable

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Be organized.  Have all of your meetings defined and scheduled for at least 12 months out;

#2 Most funders are asking the question what percentage of your board is financially invested in your organization? If it’s not a hundred percent, then you’re going to lose some funding opportunities;

#3 The same people get asked to to join these boards so you’re probably going to hear a lot of nos before you hear yeses; AND

#4 The pandemic has forced overdue changes in the nonprofit world.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

[2:13] There are about 1.8 million non-profits registered in this country. AND a lot more unregistered.
[3:02] Fiduciary responsibility of board members.
[3:27] Understand board responsibilities.
[4:00] Have a board liaison.
[4:23] Have all of your meetings scheduled out for 1 year.
[4:45] Understand the Give or Get Policy.
[5:50] Most funders are asking if board members are financially committed to the organization.
[6:38] Board Portal.
[8:13] The importance of DEI.
[10:36] Most grant applications ask if board members are financially committed to the org.
[12:08] Consider scholarshipping the Give or Get.
[13:57] Many boards are missing representation from the communities that they serve.
[15:58] You’re going to get a lot of NOs before you get YESSES.
[18:20] What have you learned from the pandemic?
[23:55] How to find Julia.

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Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, COVID, fundraising, non profit, nonprofit, relationship building, Strategy, The nonprofit show

4 Nonprofit Branding Strategy Questions Every Nonprofit Should Be Asking

#030 – Today I am speaking with Maura Fitzpatrick.  Maura is a nonprofit consultant, specializing in brand messaging and marketing strategy for nonprofit founders.  Her superpower is helping nonprofits communicate their mission in a way that feels authentic to them and compelling their donors, service users, and volunteers.

Maura says that one of the keys to effective branding and marketing is you have to develop personas for your target audience – your audience should feel like you’re talking to them. Maura smartly tells us

“…if you’re for everyone, you’re for no one”. 

Check out Maura’s services on her website – 

https://www.maurafitzpatrick.com

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Resources

  • Website
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • This is Marketing – Seth Godin
  • Design Kit

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Avoid mission creep – focus on one thing you’re doing and do it well before you start expanding;

#2 Who’s your target audience like specifically, an actual person or persona – if you’re for everyone, you’re for no one;

#3 Most of your content should not be asking for donations. Most of your content should be establishing authority as the expert in what you’re doing; AND

#4 You have to build trust and credibility with your community, and that takes branding and marketing.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

[2:30] When people struggle with articulating their mission, they have disorganized thoughts.
[2:40] Describing your work comes down to 4 basic questions.
[3:50] It’s like an elevator pitch.
[6:10] My brand is cutting people off and cutting through the mission creep.
[7:52] What is the overarching theme in what you do?
[9:10] Big Aha moments.
[9:23] If you’re for everyone, you’re for no one.
[10:21] Know your audience.
[10:48] Creating your ideal persona.
[15:27] What kind of buy-in do you need to carry out your mission?
[16:29] Go where they are.
[17:08] Be consistent on one or a few platforms vs being on every platform.
[18:25] Just because you’re a good cause does not mean you are a good solution.
[20:10] Relationship building is a long game.
[24:43] Give more than you’re asking for.
[26:10] Potential donors will look you up to see if you’re legit.
[28:58] Maura raised $100k + for a nonprofit that had never raised more than $25k.
[32:13] How to find Maura.

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 4 questions, 501c3, Best nonprofit branding, Branding, Checklist, COVID, fundraising, Marketing, new non profit, nonprofit, Nonprofit branding checklist, Nonprofit branding strategy, Nonprofit Leaders, Persona, relationship building, social media, Strategy
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