501c3 Archives - Groupfinity

Gareth Pronovost Gives Us The 411 on Automating Your Organization Using Airtable – No Coding Required.

#048 – Today I am speaking with Gareth Pronovost about using Airtable to automate workflows to 1) save time; 2) reduce errors; 3) stay organized; 4) allow for a single source of truth; and 5) grow and scale their organization. Gareth asks – are you overwhelmed by an endless sea of spreadsheets?” I think most of us would say YES!

The good news is Airtable DOES NOT require any coding experience. You just need to know your processes. Gareth tells us that the biggest payoffs come in email and reporting. He calls it the compounding effect…

“I challenge everyone to think about the compounding effect of 10 minutes a day. It’s like interest on your life – interest on the time that you have on this earth. Why pay that interest? Rather than type up that same email 10 times that takes you 10 minutes a day, do it one time. And so what if it takes you an hour and a half to figure out how to build an automation? You’ll have made that back in two weeks, and now you save yourself an hour a week into perpetuity.”

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear about Gareth’s courses and community

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 You don’t have to be tech savvy, you just have to be able to articulate your process;

#2 Instantaneous replies make donors feel special and heard;

#3 Improved collaboration in a remote environment; and

#4 You can automate any internet tools that have an open API.

Show Notes

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

[1:40] Are you overwhelmed by an endless sea of spreadsheets?
[2:08] Automation can help you with so much, but the most obvious thing is it saves you time.
[2:41] Automation reduces errors.
[3:31] Automation helps you stay organized.
[4:44] Automation gives you a single source of truth.
[5:37] Automation allows you to grow and scale your organization.
[13:22] You can automate any tool with open API.
[18:17] When one organization automated their donations.
[21:20] Small wins in email and reporting.

Jess Campbell’s 3 Step Fundraising Outreach Method With a 100% Response Rate.

#047 Today I am speaking with Jess Campbell from Out in the Boons. Jess’ superpower is building meaningful relationships that then turn into donor relationships. The #1 question Jess is asked is – how do I find new donors? Jess is a self described friend-maker, and relationship builder with big dreams. She has developed an outreach method with a 100% response rate that allows her clients to develop new and authentic relationships with potential donors.

“And so the effort to go into a new relationship with authenticity is paramount. And so, yeah, I have this method that I have practiced to date that has a 100% response rate. And thus I’ve started teaching it to my fellow fundraisers so that they can make real relationships that potentially lead to friendships and ultimately donations down the line”.

You’ll have to listen to the episode to hear the steps.

Jess is routinely asked about the effectiveness of sending mass emails vs taking the time to send tailored messages. She says you have to put yourself in the shoes of the recipient. How do you feel when you receive mass emails? Mass emailing may save you time, but tailored messages yield better results.

“When something is tailored and specific people feel very seen and that’s all we want. So I would just counter back that yes, you can do something in the masses that is vague and unspecific and you might get a very low return on investment. Or you can do something that is going to be a little bit more time and a little bit more effort, but it will yield results. And so you just have to choose where you want to put your energy”.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Jess’ learnings from the pandemic.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 The follow-up game is the most important part of fundraising;

#2 Tailored messages are more effective than mass emails;

#3 Sending short messages of value can deepen a relationship;

#4 Research says people have capacity for about 150 relationships- when you remove friends, family, and co-workers, that leaves about 75-90.

Show Notes

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

[1:57] The number one question I always get asked is just how do I find new donors?
[2:42] I have this method that I have practiced it to date has a 100% response rate.
[3:56] The first step is to consume a piece of content.
[4:28] Next, what I want you to do is I want you to go find that person on social media.
[9:26] And then I want you to send a note that is specific uses gratitude and flattery.
[11:35] When something is tailored and specific people feel very seen.
[15:26] The follow-up game is the game.
[20:47] Every person has capacity for about 150 relationships.
[21:53] Pandemic learnings.

4 CRMS for your small nonprofit so you can ditch spreadsheets once and for all, according to Sasha Lewis.

#046 – Today I am speaking with Sasha Lewis. Sasha has 20+ years of experience working with nonprofits. Her focus is using donor-centric data to achieve greater fundraising success. Sasha founded Moves Management Consulting to assist nonprofit organizations with technology, specifically using CRM to assist in fundraising. Her advice is…

“Start with one of the little ones, find an investment of a hundred dollars a month and get something going because once you recognize how much it’s going to save you when it’s done, you’re gonna wish you did it years ago”.

In this episode we explore the pros and cons of 4 popular CRMs for small nonprofits:

Salesforce
Kindful
Bloomerang
Little Green Light

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how pandemic made organizations put a higher value on technology.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 The more robust systems may require to hire an implementation specialist;

#2 Select a platform that is simple and straightforward to you;

#3 Getting a system that integrates with your existing tools will allow you to automate;;

#4 Get out of your spreadsheets and start with something.

Show Notes

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

[2:24] Salesforce Success Pack is geared to help organizations start to track some items.
[3:20] The nonprofit success pack may require a dedicated person that knows Salesforce
[6:04] No limits is an advantage to Salesforce
[10:03] Kindfull is great for peer to peer fundraising
[13:52] Kindful is fine even if you don't have a staff
[23:53] Little Green Light is one that for its price, I think is one of the most powerful tools on the market
[26:13] This one is one of the most affordable platforms available for $45 a month
[28:00] I would rather you start somewhere and move off Excel
[29:28] If your CRM is not working, you're not raising dollars
[29:43] The organizations that did not value technology, suffered

Some Things To Consider Before You Onboard Your Next Volunteers with Tobi Johnson.

#045 – Today I am speaking with Tobi Johnson. Tobi has 25 plus years of experience with nonprofits. Instead of simply moving to another job when she moved across the country 13 years ago, Tobi decided to start her own company where she could share her expertise and help organizations with volunteerism.

Tobi helps organizations of all shapes and sizes build their volunteer strategy by helping organizations replace old and ineffective approaches with new innovative and research-based practices.

One of her superpowers is showing organizations how to onboard new volunteers and make them feel like they are a part of something…

“This feeling of belongings ingrained in our nature as humans.”

“And when you are a volunteer and if you feel like you’re on the outside looking in, you’re just not going to engage and you’re actually gonna become not as productive.”

“The time that belonging matters most is the time when you’re onboarding new volunteers and welcoming people in to make sure that every single person feels like they belong.”

Through VolunteerPro, Tobi provides online volunteer management training, coaching & community to leaders of volunteers at all levels.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Tobi discuss using Bling for Belonging.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 If your volunteers feel like outsiders, they are not going to engage and will not be as productive as they could be;

#2 Volunteers leave groups when they feel implicit promises are not kept;

#3 Make implicit expectations explicit by naming them;

#4 Giving informal recognition can much more powerful than formal recognition.

Show Notes

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

[2:23] The feeling of belonging is a deeply human trait.
[5:43] When volunteers feel like outsiders, they're not going to engage and will be less productive.
[8:40] The new volunteer has expectations and they believe promises have been made.
[10:08] Make implicit promises explicit.
[12:53] Make sure new volunteers are connected to your mission.
[15:05] Six reasons why people volunteer
[19:33] Informal recognition is more powerful than explicit recognition
[21:56] Bling for Belonging

Linda Lysakowski shows us how small nonprofits can fundraise from local businesses by simply asking for advice.

#044 – Today I am speaking with Linda Lysakowski. In Linda’s thirty plus years as a philanthropic consultant, she has managed capital campaigns that have raised more than $50 million and has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations achieve their development goals.

Today we talk about how to raise funds from your local business community. Linda shares great actionable steps on how to build relationships with your local business leaders. A great way to start a conversation is to simply ask for advice.

I might call that person and say, do you mind if I just take you to lunch one day? I’d like to talk to you about what we can do to improve the technology in our business or what we can do to improve the marketing or what we can do to improve our financial picture.

You could ask for advice in many, many different areas, but look at your needs and then try to find businesses that can help those needs.

Most business people are flattered by that. Who doesn’t love talking about themselves and giving advice? This simple ask can be the gateway to more financial support.

You know, the old saying that if you ask for money, a lot of times you get advice. And if you ask for advice, a lot of times you end up getting money.

Linda is a prolific writer and has authored more than 30 books.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how one of her clients went from $0 to a half million dollars in less than 1 year.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Hang out where the business leaders are;

#2 Invite them in so they can see what you are doing;

#3 You have to build relationships to understand what motivates each business to give;

#4 Your ask must show the economic and the social impact your organization is making on the community.

Show Notes

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

[2:20] First step is really obviously identifying what businesses are in your community
[3:14] Hang out where the business leaders are, which is usually the local chamber of commerce
[5:04] Ask businesses questions, like what's important to you about your corporate philanthropy
[6:10] Invite them in and let them see what you're doing
[12:45] So you have to understand what motivates the businesses to give
[16:16] Your case for support has show the economic and social impact your organization is making on the community
[17:09] Asking for advice is a GREAT way to start a conversation
[17:55] If you ask for money, a lot of times you get advice. if you ask for advice, a lot of times you end up getting money
[22:20] The Pandemic caused a lot of companies to re-think their special events
[25:05] Use a Cultivation event to start relationships
[30:16] From $0 to a half million dollars in 1 year

What You Need To Know About Philanthropy, Including Secrets On Increasing Your Return on Relationships With Jarrett Ransom.

#043 – Today I am speaking with Jarrett Ransom AKA “The Nonprofit Nerd”. Jarrett is the Founder & CEO of the Rayvan Group where her titles include Nonprofit Executive, Keynote Speaker, Emcee, Coach, Entrepreneur, Community Builder & Leader, and Philanthropy Thought Leader.

Jarrett helps nonprofits strategically plan for the future – extending 3, 5, 10 years and beyond. This includes developing a broader framework of philanthropy where we can all see ourselves as philanthropists – it is not simply about money.

“It really is by definition, the desire to promote the welfare of others. So it has nothing to do with the amount of zeros at the end of a number of a donation. It has everything to do with the most simplest act of giving. And for me, that’s time, talent or treasure. So it’s not just money. We could give philanthropically of our time. We can give philanthropically of our talents of volunteer efforts. So I really want everyone to feel this empowerment and an embodiment of being a philanthropist”.

Jarrett advises us that relationship building is the foundation of effective fundraising. We should be reaching out to our donors regularly and engaging them. What are their goals? What are their interests? What is their legacy? Our focus should be on listening to them so we can help them be better stewards of their philanthropic dollars.

“we should be listening to our donors. We should be listening to hear back to that mission alignment, where do they wanna make a difference in the community”.

You can find Jarrett co-hosting the American Nonprofit Academy’s daily Nonprofit Show with Julia Patrick on YouTube.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Philanthropy is about the most simplest act of giving, time, talent or treasure;

#2 Stop asking and start inviting;

#3 Small consistent monthly or quarterly donations are typically better than a single lump sum donation;

#4 Instead of only looking at a return on investment, we should focus on return on relationships

Show Notes

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

[2:34] Philanthropy has everything to do with the simple, the most simplest act of giving.
[4:10] Stop asking and start inviting.
[5:44] It is about building relationships.
[7:25] Get to know your donors.
[10:11] Smaller consistent donations can be more effective.
[12:40] Understand your donor's purpose.
[18:26] So it comes back to those relationships coming back to your data.
[21:12] Changes since pandemic.
[21:58] So instead of only looking at return on investment, we're starting to look at return on relationship.
[23:28] Ask open ended questions and allowing the person to fill in the gaps.

Rob Webb’s Fundraising Tips That Will Take Your Organization To The Next Level.

#042 Today I am speaking with Rob Webb, founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Nonprofitcampaigns.com. He founded the company in 2020 to offer online training as a result of seeing nonprofits struggle in the pandemic. Rob is YMCA trained and has over 30 years of experience guiding volunteers and staff in creating High Impact Fundraising Campaigns. One of Rob’s specialties is creating a culture of philanthropy.

“…what we found is so many nonprofit leaders – they view fundraising as drudgery. And they take that paradigm with them when they’re talking with their volunteers and their board members. And they do things unconsciously that drive that culture of charity, versus what we all try to preach was developing a culture of philanthropy.”

Rob teaches his clients that fundraising is all about relationships. Create an active vs a passive relationship. You have to get your hands dirty – talk to your donors and potential donors, spend time with them, find out what is important to them. Start with your banker, insurance broker, your stock broker, people that you have a natural relationship with. Just meet with them and ask for advice, not money. Everybody loves to give advice.

The pandemic showed us how we were over reliant on “special events”. Rob says we should rethink these events and view them as relationship builders rather than money makers.

“Nonprofits gravitate towards thinking special events are fundraisers. Every nonprofit that really took it in the shorts during the pandemic was over reliant on special events. I look at special events as FRIENDRAISERS more than fundraisers.”

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how to get Deborah to send you a copy of her book

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Minimum levels of giving actually create maximum levels;

#2 Don’t become over reliant on grant funding;

#3 Don’t view fundraising as drudgery – be positive;

#4 Engage in ACTIVE not passive relationship building.

Show Notes

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

[2:45] Don't view fundraising as drudgery.
[4:10] That's really what fundraising is all about - relationships.
[5:44] Tell the story of why you support your organization.
[7:25] Over 80% is given by individuals.
[10:11] The person you least expect may be your biggest donor.
[13:30] Special events are FRIENDraisers NOT FUNDraisers
[16:43] Minimum levels of giving create maximum levels.
[20:02] If you're too reliant on grant funding, that can dry up.

Deborah Pruitt tells us how her 6 Elements of Group Alchemy create a culture where your volunteers work more collaboratively and get more done.

#041 Today I am speaking with Dr. Deborah Pruitt. Deborah is a trained Cultural Anthropologist and applies a dynamic anthropological perspective to helping organizations achieve extraordinary results. More specifically, she helps her clients work collaboratively and unify around a collective vision. She’s found that it all starts with culture – many people have had experiences where they felt disregarded or disrespected.

“That was what led me to think deeply about how do we create a culture in a group that supports working together collaboratively for the same interests and same goals while also honoring the individuals in the group and their needs and what it is that provides the context and the space and the opportunity for them to bring their best and to do it together.”

She founded Group Alchemy to help clients build strategic plans that bring focus to the organization’s purpose and strengthen collaborative problem solving. In this episode, we discuss her 6 Elements of Group Alchemy to help groups, no matter the size, create culture so they could work better together.

1 Inspiration

2 Agreements

3 Accountability

4 Acknowledgement

5 Renewal

6 Mastery

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how to get Deborah to send you a copy of her book

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Agreements don’t really matter if you don’t have accountability;

#2 Foundation is built on knowing why we’re here and what we’re are up to;

#3 So many of our groups need to be freed from the management control model;

#4 Instead of blame, Accountability is the ability to solve problems.

Show Notes

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

[4:55] We are accustomed to authoritarian systems with lots of rules and policies to follow.
[5:52] That led me to look at how we create culture to work collaboratively.
[8:17] My book - 6 Elements of Group Alchemy, was written to be a step wise guide.
[10:25] Agreements don't really matter if you don't have accountability.
[14:42] if we don't understand why we are each here, we don't have a foundation to build anything.
[19:05] I realized we need to constitute a productive group that doesn't depend on authority structure.
[20:30] In our society, accountability = blame.
[23:02] Resiliency was a BIG learning from the Pandemic.

Meet Polly Lagana Who Shares Her Fundraising Framework That Creates Happy Donors Who Give More Money More Consistently. She Tells us Exactly How To Do It!

040 Today I am speaking with Polly Lagana. Polly is a New York based Behavioral Scientist who has been researching happiness for years – it is her life’s work. Her formula is PLEASURE + PURPOSE + COMMUNITY = HAPPINESS. Through her research, Polly found that…

“people want to belong- they want to feel a sense of community – they want to feel like they’re part of something”.

Polly discovered that quick interactions that aren’t about asking for money carry a lot of weight with donors. We should focus our relationship building on putting in time to develop those small connections, unrelated to the ask.

After moving to Switzerland she found philanthropy was BIG, but very quiet. That is where she began to see the intersection between happiness, self satisfaction, donor satisfaction.

“Philanthropy actually comes out of this idea. That’s part of you as a member of the community. It’s a way to have a positive impact on your life”.

She used her research to create her SPARK Framework which results in happier donors who give more money more consistently and get others to give as well and join your donor community:

Simplicity of the ask and the task

Personal connection

Alignment of goals between the donor and your organization or institution

Research and information guiding your decisions And

Knowledge of a positive outcome

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear what Polly learned while living in Switzerland for 3 years.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Make it really simple and reduce the amount of choices for your donor.;

#2 People have short attention spans – keep your ask and pitch to 3 minutes;

#3 Have your best messenger deliver your message;

#4 This is the time to try new things – don’t be afraid – don’t let fear hold you back.

Show Notes

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

[2:44] Look at this intersection between happiness and philanthropy
[4:13] PLEASURE + PURPOSE + COMMUNITY = HAPPINESS
[5:00] People want to belong
[5:49] The SPARK Framework
[8:33] Make it simple and reduce the choices for your donor
[9:35] Turn your pitch into a
[11:40] Make it as easy as possible
[13:22] Find your best messenger to deliver your message
[17:00] Those quick interactions that aren't about money carry a lot of weight
[18:07] Make a list of the different types of interactions you could have
[21:23] Don't let fear hold you back

How AJ Steinberg Became The Queen Bee Of Fundraising By Creating Amazing Committee Chairs And How You Can Do The Same.

#039 – Today I am speaking with AJ Steinberg. AJ is a professional event producer with a background in both fundraising and engagement neuropsychology. She produces, consults, and trains but, above all else, considers herself an engagement strategist because…

“engagement is what it takes to work with volunteers and also to create engaging events.”

For over 20 years she has produced more than 100 successful events all over North America and raised millions of dollars for nonprofits from her Los Angeles based production company. Some of her best advice is simple yet effective – make your volunteers feel like the superstars they are….

“I do not ever have an email that doesn’t either end or begin with – hey there, I, first of all, want to thank you for the time that you’re putting into this. I love working with you. I make them feel like superstars because they are superstars.”

She is a recognized subject matter expert and trainer, presenting on subjects such as nonprofit event planning, event sponsorships, committee and volunteer leadership, generational giving, and guest engagement.

Check out AJ at – https://queenbeefundraising.com/

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear what AJ has to say about committee chairs stuck doing all the work.

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4 Key Takeaways

#1 Community and engagement is the #1 most important thing when you’re interacting with volunteers;

#2 87% of volunteers become more meaningfully involved with the organizations after they have their volunteer experience;

#3 Clear and regular communication with your volunteers is key to your event’s success;

#4 Make your volunteers feel like the superstars they are.

Show Notes

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

[3:00] 87% of volunteers become more meaningfully involved with the organizations after they have their volunteer experience.
[5:54] The most effective way to use your volunteers is to build it into a team.
[7:49] Energy comes from choosing the right people.
[9:40] Create your hive so that it is set up for success.
[10:11] If you don't choose the right Queen Bee your experience leading them is going to be difficult.
[11:24] You need a cheerleader.
[14:24] Committee members become more involved, happier, and bigger donors ultimately.
[15:20] I consider myself an engagement strategist
[19:38] Community and engagement is the number one most important thing when you're interacting with volunteers
[20:50] When you really understand the value of relationship building it's it makes everything worthwhile
[26:32] Find AJ

Gareth Pronovost Gives Us The 411 on Automating Your Organization Using Airtable – No Coding Required.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

Jess Campbell’s 3 Step Fundraising Outreach Method With a 100% Response Rate.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

4 CRMS for your small nonprofit so you can ditch spreadsheets once and for all, according to Sasha Lewis.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

Some Things To Consider Before You Onboard Your Next Volunteers with Tobi Johnson.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

Linda Lysakowski shows us how small nonprofits can fundraise from local businesses by simply asking for advice.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

What You Need To Know About Philanthropy, Including Secrets On Increasing Your Return on Relationships With Jarrett Ransom.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

Rob Webb’s Fundraising Tips That Will Take Your Organization To The Next Level.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

Meet Polly Lagana Who Shares Her Fundraising Framework That Creates Happy Donors Who Give More Money More Consistently. She Tells us Exactly How To Do It!

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

How AJ Steinberg Became The Queen Bee Of Fundraising By Creating Amazing Committee Chairs And How You Can Do The Same.

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

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Gareth Pronovost Gives Us The 411 on Automating Your Organization Using Airtable – No Coding Required.

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Jess Campbell’s 3 Step Fundraising Outreach Method With a 100% Response Rate.

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4 CRMS for your small nonprofit so you can ditch spreadsheets once and for all, according to Sasha Lewis.

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Some Things To Consider Before You Onboard Your Next Volunteers with Tobi Johnson.

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Linda Lysakowski shows us how small nonprofits can fundraise from local businesses by simply asking for advice.

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What You Need To Know About Philanthropy, Including Secrets On Increasing Your Return on Relationships With Jarrett Ransom.

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Rob Webb’s Fundraising Tips That Will Take Your Organization To The Next Level.

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Deborah Pruitt tells us how her 6 Elements of Group Alchemy create a culture where your volunteers work more collaboratively and get more done.

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Meet Polly Lagana Who Shares Her Fundraising Framework That Creates Happy Donors Who Give More Money More Consistently. She Tells us Exactly How To Do It!

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How AJ Steinberg Became The Queen Bee Of Fundraising By Creating Amazing Committee Chairs And How You Can Do The Same.

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