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501c3

How To Build A Better Fundraising Foundation, Especially In The New Post Pandemic World, With Jenni Hargrove.

#038 – Today I am speaking with Jenni Hargrove.  Jenni is a nonprofit guru who advises nonprofits on management, marketing, and development strategies. She has amazing free resources on her website including her podcast The Nonprofit Jenni Show.  In this interview, she shares the risk many nonprofits face when they limit their fundraising efforts to only 1 big event per year.

“I always tell them that when they’re thinking about stabilizing their revenue in the long term is that you need to think about your revenue streams sort of as a stool.  So that’s why we don’t like to have just one or two revenue streams because that only gives you one or two legs to stand on. You really want at least three different types of revenue streams. And so that, doesn’t mean having three fundraising events that would only count as one leg on the stool because it’s only one type of revenue.”

She began her career working in corporate philanthropy for a really big international corporation.  Her job included picking and choosing which nonprofits would get funded.  She wanted to create resources for the so many nonprofits she had to turn down.  AND Nonprofit Jenni was born.

“It is just much more fulfilling for me to be able to serve the 99% versus the 1%.”

Check out Jenni at – https://www.nonprofitjenni.com/ 

 Be sure to stick around until the end to hear all about the Nonprofit Jenni Book Club.

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Resources

  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Oasis Bike Shop

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 You need 3 legs to your fundraising/ revenue stream;

#2 Nonprofits can use social enterprises to fund their missions; 

#3 Consult with an accountant and an attorney when setting up your nonprofit; and

#4 Corporate Foundations can be a better place to look for money than the corporation itself.

Show Notes

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

[2:35] Think about your revenue streams sort of as a stool with 3 legs.
[6:08] The business should fund AND fuel your mission.
[9:50] Oasis Bike Shop in Nashville, TN.
[11:50] The money that they earn from you is then used to fund kids going through the program.
[16:00] if you want to start a business for your nonprofit, talk to an accountant and attorney.
[19:30] Foundations can be a better source than corporate donations.
[23:41] Creativity isn't what inspires people - your mission inspires people.
[24:10] How Jenni got started

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, corporations, Foundations, fundraising, fundraising ideas, Groupfinity, Jenni Hargrove, nonprofit, relationship building, Strategy

Should your nonprofit fundraising focus on high-net worth individuals?  Absolutely.  Here is what you need to know from Rhea Wong.

#037 – Today I am speaking with Rhea Wong.  Rhea is a New York based nonprofit consultant who trains nonprofit leaders to fundraise more money from high-net worth donors.  At the age of 26, she became the Executive Director of a nonprofit with a $250k budget.  The first day on the job, she Googled 2 things – 1)  what does an Executive Director do and 2) how to fundraise?  

Rhea did something right – very right.  In her 12 years as the ED of that nonprofit, she grew that $250k budget to over $3 million through private philanthropy.  

“So I’d figured out the foundations, the corporations, the events, the individuals and the one area that I thought had the most potential for growth were the major gift individuals.  When we look at the pie of philanthropic gifts, nationally, the biggest chunk of the pie are individuals.  They’re responsible for upwards of like $350 billion or something.  So many nonprofits focus on, you know, the grants and like corporate sponsorships or whatever. It’s really about the people.”

After working on projects for her ED friends, she decided to focus on major gift fundraising because that is where people had the most anxiety.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear all of Rhea’s great dating analogies for fundraising.

Check out Rhea at – https://www.rheawong.com/ 

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Resources

  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Think of fundraising like a party and you just want to see who wants to come to your party;

#2 Don’t think you are taking something away from donors. You are inviting them to be part of something special;

#3 Fundraising is just a math problem – offers minus NOs equals YESes. So the more you ask, the more nos you’re going to get, but the more yeses you’re going to get;

#4 If everybody’s your donor, then nobody is your donor.

Show Notes

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

[2:12] I was super clueless about fundraising.
[2:43] The biggest chunk of fundraising comes from individuals.
[8:30] In my family money was about stability and freedom.
[11:45] Fundraising is just a party and you just want to see who wants to come to this.
[12:50] Fundraising is not on your knees, it's on your feet.
[13:59] Fundraising is just a math problem.
[15:26] Date your donor.
[16:35] Money is trust in paper form - when people give you a donation, they are saying they believe in you.
[19:20] If everybody's your donor, then nobody is your donor.
[21:57] There should be no surprises - it should be pretty clear that we're not just hanging out for fun.
[23:20] The Pandemic
[27:10] Find Rhea

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, corporations, Foundations, fundraising, fundraising ideas, Groupfinity, high net worth individuals, nonprofit, relationship building, Rhea Wong, Strategy

Your Guide To Creating A For Profit Business To Fund Your Nonprofit, According To Tracy Clark

#036 – Today I am speaking with Tracy Clark, the Founder and CEO of Clark & Clark, a nonprofit consulting firm she runs with her husband Robert Clark.  Tracy has been coaching and setting up non profit organizations for over 10 years.  Together, they have set up over 4,000 Nonprofits and received over 10 million dollars in grant funding.

Clark & Clark teaches self-sufficiency and business development.  Their top priority is to see more minorities access the required funds to pursue their purpose. 

In this episode, we talk about how some nonprofits start a real for profit business that sells products and services and then use the funds generated by that business to fund their programs.

Tracy says:

“even though they may have had some successful fundraising campaigns, what they’re realizing is they want a little bit more control over the funding that’s coming in.”

Be sure to stick around to hear how Tracy started her 1st business at the age of 10.
Check out Clark & Clark at – https://www.clarkandclark.org/

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Resources

  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Solefolks

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Grant funders want you to demonstrate sustainability;

#2 You can likely operate a business without a storefront;

#3 Nonprofits face a lot competition so make sure you understand why people will want to support yours;

#4 Make sure you do a good job of budgeting.

Check out Groupfinity.com for the show notes and links for this episode.  

Show Notes

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

[2:14] Nonprofits are realizing they want more control over the funding that's coming in.
[8:10] Do I need a storefront?
[9:22] I would really challenge you to really think about ways to share space with others.
[11:24] There is a lot of competition in the nonprofit world.
[12:34] Find an area of need and think about how you can provide a service and add value.
[13:47] The first thing that you should start thinking about is your budget and what you really need.
[17:30] Find something that you're passionate about and fulfills a need.
[19:27] The biggest thing I learned in the pandemic is you really have to cut out the fluff.
[21:10] When it comes to the virtual space, nonprofits can reach new areas of the world.
[21:53] I started my first business at the age of 10.
[25:13] Connect with Tracy
[26:03] A nonprofit organization does not mean that you don't generate funds.

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, Clark and Clark, fundraising, fundraising ideas, Groupfinity, nonprofit, relationship building, small business, Strategy, Tracy Clark

All The Deets On Peer To Peer Fundraising With Chris Hammond

#035 – Today I am speaking with Chris Hammond.  Chris founded CGC as a full service consulting firm offering nonprofits strategy on communication, marketing, development, and fundraising.  They free up nonprofit boards and staff so they can spend more time on their missions and less on admin stuff.

One of CGC’s superpowers is Peer to Peer Fundraising.  They teach their clients how to leverage their supporters’ networks to raise money by committing just 15ish minutes per week to educate their friends and family on this organization they love.

This is A LOT less cost and stress compared to an annual gala.

As for challenges organizations face, Chris says:

“One of the biggest things we’ve seen our clients facing is change and evolving and innovating.”

Be sure to stick around to hear how one of Chris’ clients turned a $2,500 donor into a $15,000 donor.

Check out CGC at – https://cgcgiving.com/

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Resources

  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mailchimp
  • Constant Contact
  • Salesforce
  • Hubspot
  • Center For Food Action

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Use a welcome email series to onboard new supporters;

#2 Dealing with change is one of the biggest challenges for organizations;

#3 Peer to Peer Fundraising is a more formulaic and predictable form of fundraising;

#4 It is as important to have supporters open doors with potential donors as it is to have a super compelling message.

Check out Groupfinity.com for the show notes and links for this episode.  

Show Notes

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

[2:45] We focus on organizations with 3 people or less in their marketing or development departments
[4:15] Started helping with grant writing, but realized that was not the best use of my time
[5:35] Dealing with change is one of the biggest challenges for organizations.
[8:35] People don’t have the time to strategically think about how they should evolve and innovate.
[11:13] We work with organizations to create a welcome series.
[13:52] Welcome Series is separate from your newsletter.
[17:30] We’ve seen an uptick in Peer to Peer Fundraising.
[20:18] We develop the messaging templates and the content.
[22:30] Peer to Peer with a Gala Fundraiser.
[27:29] If you have a fairly active group of donors, you can do P2P Fundraising.
[28:45] Example: Center For food Action.
[32:54] Connect With Chris.

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, Chris Hammond, Corporate Giving Connection, fundraising, fundraising ideas, Groupfinity, nonprofit, Peer to Peer Fundraising, relationship building, Strategy

Never Worry About Collecting Annual Membership Dues Again – Not Quite, But You Should Hear What Shane Sams Has To Say About What You Can Do Instead

#034 – Today I am speaking with Shane Sams.  Shane has one of the most popular episodes on Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income Podcast.  His episode #122 is one of SPI’s most popular.  To put this in perspective, SPI has more than 500 episodes and over one million downloads.  Shane’s episode has more downloads than Tim Ferris and Gary Vaynerchuck combined.

Shane started the flipped lifestyle with his wife Jocelyn.  Their mission is to help 100,000 families flip their life by turning it upside down thru starting, building, and growing an online business.  

Although they primarily work with individuals, they also work with nonprofits and I think there is a lot of potential for our small mission driven organizations, especially those that rely on membership dues.  Our organizations can use what Shane teaches to start a fun online business and use the funds generated from that effort to fund their organization’s programs and ditch their membership dues.

Shane says that in building a successful membership group….

“You’ve got to provide value with content. You’ve got to provide value by uniting the community and you’ve got to bring access to the people”.

AND

“People are only going to exchange their proof of work, which is money, for your proof of solution”.

Be sure to stick around to hear how Shane, in his words, “about wrecked my lawnmower”.

Check out Shane at – flippedlifestyle.com

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Resources

  • Website
  • SPI Episode #122
  • How The Life Coach School’s Brooke Castillo Built Her $35,000,000 Membership!
  • Flipped Lifestyle Podcast

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 You make money when you sell your knowledge, your wisdom, and you help people solve problems;

#2 The membership model will work, whether you’re for profit or non-profit, doesn’t matter;

#3 Create content that solves a problem and a place for your people to hang out and connect;

#4 It’s simple – you create content, you build an email list, you get people in your membership.

Show Notes

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

[4:05] Shane’s story.
[9:43] And I about wrecked my lawnmower.
[14:06] Shane and Jocelyn started elementarylibrarian.com.
[16:55] After we quit our jobs, we helped someone in our Sunday School group.
[17:50] You can monetize that with training, leadership, and coaching.
[18:10] The membership model will work whether you're for profit or nonprofit, it doesn't matter.
[23:59] Provide content that solves a problem, a place for your people to hang out, and provide leadership.
[25:34] Two success stories - a financial one and a crazy one.
[29:43] Our mission is to help a hundred thousand families flip their life.
[30:33] Find Shane

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, Flipped Lifestyle, fundraising, fundraising ideas, Groupfinity, membership, nonprofit, online business, relationship building, Shane Sams, Strategy

The Ultimate Playbook on Using Text Messages in Your Next Nonprofit Fundraising Campaign With Sandi Fox

#033 – Today I am speaking with Sandi Fox.  Sandi is a digital strategist guru.  One of her superpowers is helping organizations incorporate text messaging as a communication channel in their fundraising efforts.  We are more likely to read texts vs emails because this is where we communicate with friends and family.  As a result, organizations are increasingly turning to text as a key communication channel.  In addition to fundraising, Sandi has some terrific advice on how organizations can use text messaging effectively as an organizing and general communication tool.

Sandi says….

….“and over 90% have a mobile phone. So it’s about meeting people where they are and they’re on their mobile phones, right?  So, it’s become one of the best direct response tools in our tool set for digital because that means we really actually reach people – they are more likely to respond to our ask.”

Check out Sandi at – 

www.smartasafox.org

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Resources

  • Website
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Simple Texting
  • EZ Texting
  • Strive (Skipio)

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Short and clear subject lines help get the reader’s attention;

#2 Using emojis in your subject lines can boost your open rate;

#3 Invest in a good email automation tool; AND

#4 Use your email to establish your expertise instead of just a diary of what is going on with your organization.

Show Notes

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

[2:15] Mobile has become one of the best direct response tools in our tool set for digital.
[2:47] 90% of people who receive a text message will read it within 90 seconds of receiving it.
[4:29] It is something that can be utilized by any organizations of any size.
[4:44] Two types of texting.
[10:23] You're using it for all the things you would use social media or email.
[12:10] The main thing is making sure you have the capacity to add another channel.
[13:17] The worst is when you pay for it, but forget about it.
[15:43] Best practice is usually between two and four messages a month.
[18:48] Texting has increased because of COVID.
[22:19] Find Sandi.

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, fundraising, nonprofit, relationship building, Strategy, text messaging

Hi, You Need To Try These Nonprofit Email Marketing Tips ASAP – With Cody Hays

#032 – Today I am speaking with Cody Hays.  Cody is the founder of Marketing Mission.  They provide “affordable marketing to make the world better”.  Cody shares some of his email marketing secrets to help get more of our emails opened and read.  Cody has some great tips and tricks that we can easily implement TODAY!

When considering what to automate, Cody says….

“How much time will this save you? OR Will this save you from having to do something over and over and over and over again? OR do you just hate doing it? If you answered yes to any of that – automate it, right?  Because your time is better served, focusing on your zone of genius rather than doing something that’s going to deplete your energy or waste your time.”

Check out Marketing Mission at – https://www.marketingmission.org/

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Resources

  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Mailchimp
  • Constant Contact
  • Flodesk

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Short and clear subject lines help get the reader’s attention;

#2 Using emojis in your subject lines can boost your open rate;

#3 Invest in a good email automation tool; AND

#4 Use your email to establish your expertise instead of just a diary of what is going on with your organization.

Show Notes

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

[2:10] You want to make sure that your purpose is clear without seeming pushy.
[2:25] Start by looking at your open rate.
[4:30] Aim for 3 to 5 words in your email subject line.
[4:55] Use one to two emojis in your subject line, that'll increase your open rate.
[5:29] Capitalize every single word in the subject line.
[6:10] When we included a number in the subject line, more people opened it.
[8:00] One of the biggest frustrations when it comes to email marketing is cost.
[10:05] Marketing automation tools are VERY common.
[10:30] Consider automating a “Welcome Email Series”.
[13:30] Automation frees you up to focus on your zone of genius.
[14:10] So many nonprofits don't realize that there's nonprofit codes for almost everything.
[15:20] To avoid clickbait, make sure your subject line is relevant to your content.
[16:24] Email content should form relationships with people and add value to their inbox.
[17:12] Use your newsletter to demonstrate your authority / NOT as a diary.

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, fundraising, Marketing, marketingmission, nonprofit, relationship building, Strategy

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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GroupFinity

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

The Real Life Nonprofit Social Media Marketing Strategies of Julia Campbell, who swears by the Funky Grandma

#029 – Today I am speaking with Julia Campbell.  Julia is a Speaker, Author, Nonprofit Consultant and self proclaimed Activist.  She started the recycling program in her middle school when she was just in the 6th grade.  She started her business 11 years ago to help more nonprofits figure out the digital age.  Today, she shares her nonprofit social media marketing ideas that can be used by both beginners and pros alike.

“…stop thinking of social media as a transactional tool and really start thinking of it as a community building tool. It is not a money spigot you can just turn on. It is not an ATM…. 

….social media is a value exchange. People give you their time and attention and you give them something of value to them. So to build, start building a social media community, you have to know who is in your community and who do you want to attract to your community”.

Social media is Julia’s super power, but she also offers resources on:  

1 Storytelling

2 Fundraising AND

3 Email Marketing

Check out Julia’s resources on her website – https://jcsocialmarketing.com/

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Resources

  • Website
  • Books
  • Courses
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

4 Key Takeaways  

#1 Social media is NOT a transactional tool; it is a community building one;

#2 Social media is a place where you educate your audience and get them excited about what you do;

#3 Your message and content has to be strategically crafted for each channel; AND

#4 The 90-9-1 Rule: 90% of users are lurkers, 9% contribute a little, 1% contribute A LOT!

Show Notes

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

[2:00] Social Media is your front door
[2:52] Stop thinking of social media as a transactional tool
[3:19] Social Media is a value exchange
[4:00] Be clear on your goals
[5:02] Give more than you get
[5:35] Social Media is a place to start a 2-way conversation
[7:03] Don't focus on the tool first
[9:45] Start experimenting
[10:57] You need to strategically craft your message for each channel
[12:14] You have to understand each channel
[12:55] 90-9-1 Rule
[14:24] Curse of Knowledge
[16:38] The FUNKY GRANDMA
[18:52] Get niche and granular in identifying your target audience
[20:50] Be clear on your social media policies
[22:38] One of Julia's success stories

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GroupFinity

Posted in PodcastTagged 501c3, COVID, Email Marketing, Facebook, Funding, fundraising, Instagram, Marketing, new non profit, nonprofit, Nonprofit Leaders, social media, Storytelling, Twitter, Value Exchange
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