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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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

How to write grants for nonprofits organizations like a GURU (NO experience required) – with Teresa Huff

#025 – Today I am speaking with Teresa Huff. Teresa is a special ed teacher, turned stay at home mom, then turned grant writing guru. She began her grant writing career working with a team of grant writers, writing big federal grants. She later branched out on her own, working with clients 1 on 1. When she realized she could help more people, she developed online courses.

“I really liked teaching others because I can only write so many grants and I can only be an expert in so many areas, but I can teach other people to do it. And then they can go out and create a much bigger ripple effect together. That’s why I love doing this now – supporting other nonprofits so they can maximize their impact and teaching grant writers how to do this as well, and to be much more successful to shorten the distance from point A to point B.”

She has worked with over 2,100 students, helping many nonprofits triple their funding. Specifically, she:

Works with nonprofits to strategically lay the groundwork for grant readiness;
Trains and equips grant writers with the skills they need to be successful; and
Connect the dots between the two so we can all maximize our impact.

She has a ton of free resources on her website – https://teresahuff.com/

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Resources

Website

Fast Track to Grant Writer

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

4 Key Takeaways

#1 BUILD RELATIONSHIP – You’re not talking to dollar signs, you’re not talking to money. You’re talking to people and working with people.

#2 Funders want to see an established nonprofit and typically an established program that they can fund – they don’t want to be your first or last dollar.

#3 Be PATIENT – Grants can take a long time to write and it could take a long time to hear back.

#4 Start small with local foundations.

Show Notes

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

[2:14] The best place to start
[2:52] Make sure you have a really good foundation
[3:16] You're not talking to money... You're talking to people and working with people.
[4:07] Make sure you have nonprofit status
[4:40] Grant funders don't want to beat your first dollar or your only dollar.
[5:21] They want to see how many more people you can impact with the funds.
[6:26] Generally they'll want to see an established nonprofit and an established program.
[7:27] Have a good plan in place for how are you going to sustain this after the grant funding goes away.
[8:05] Grants usually take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
[9:54] Federal grants and really large applications can take over 100 hours.
[10:51] if you've never written grants before, maybe start small, start with some local foundations.
[12:25] Follow the guidelines - NO extra stuff.
[12:48] Should I call the funder?
[16:13] Look for funders in your local community.
[17:10] Don't twist your program to fit the grant.
[19:57] Start with local foundations.
[22:10] Don't get discouraged if you get turned down.
[25:00] The Food Pantry story....
[31:48] The Grant Readiness Check-up.

The secrets to nonprofit fundraising in the age of coronavirus – with Brock Warner.

#024 – Today I am speaking with Brock Warner. Brock is an experienced and skilled fundraising executive. He has over a decade of experience fundraising for social causes at senior levels in a variety of sectors.

Brock is a best-selling author, coach, and digital fundraising professor. He is a sought-after conference speaker, at conferences throughout North America. He is actively shaping the next generation of professional fundraisers by bringing practical experience to life with engaging, honest advice.

He shares some great nuggets, but one that really resonated with me was:

“Ask for what you need, not just what you think you’ll get”

He has a ton of free resources on his website – www.brockwarner.ca

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Resources

Website

Twitter

Book

4 Key Takeaways

#1 You need to remain PERSISTENT with your social media strategy;

#2 People give to people so you need to develop relationships with your donors;

#3 Understand why people are giving to your cause; AND

#4 You CANNOT say thank you enough.

Show Notes

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

[1:37] Since the pandemic started, there has been a rapid embrace of digital.
[2:27] Organizations that put all their eggs into a single offline basket struggled.
[4:25] Orgs that lacked email marketing lists and active social media communities were left scrambling.
[5:27] I work with organizations to help them understand where big opportunities might exist...
[8:14] Social media strategies could fit into two buckets: 1) Persistence AND 2) Hot or Miss
[9:35] Persistence strategy is a bit like investing in your 401(k).
[11:43] You should build relationships with people who have been generous enough to give you money.
[13:42] GOLDEN RULE of FUNDRAISING - people give to people.
[15:32] Work closely with the people who love you the most.
[16:29] Your ideal entry way to a new donor is through a peer.
[16:45] People want to fund solutions.
[17:50] Individuals think about causes and issues vs organizations.
[19:04] Find a good partner and ask for need vs funding a budget.
[19:51] Building relationships takes time and effort.
[24:49] Take time to talk to your donors.
[26:48] Tips and Tricks...
[27:43] You can't thank people enough.

Now you can boost your nonprofit’s fundraising without being a fundraising professional – Cindy Wagman tells us how.

#019 – Cindy is the Founder, President, and CEO of The Good Partnership. Her specialty is working with small organizations. In fact, her personal mission is “to help smaller organizations learn how to fundraise and better their systems and be more impactful”.

Cindy shows us how effective fundraising starts with mindset and habits. Instead of viewing fundraising as a necessary evil, something you dread doing, turn it into something you feel good about. By changing your mindset and then repeating the right habits, you can be much more effective.

Be sure to check out https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/ to learn more about Cindy’s work.

Cindy offers her Flipside Fundraising course a couple of times per year. Click on the link in the show notes to learn more.

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Resources

The Good Partnership

Apply for a Flipside Fundraising Scholarships

Flipside Fundraising Webinar – April 15th

4 Key Takeaways

#1 Don’t throw an event, if you don’t have a committee that can sell tickets and do sponsorships, because it’s not worth your time;

#2 Automating some things or even improving your systems incrementally, can have a HUGE impact on your organization’s time;

#3 the best fundraisers are deeply curious; AND

#4 Best source of information about your donors is directly from them. In this episode, Cindy shares her secret around the “Yellow Brick Road of Yesses”!

Show Notes

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

[2:15] We need to redefine what we think of as fundraising.
[3:07] Most smaller organizations don't really know what fundraising looks like when it's aligned for them.
[3:26] I call that a large size fits all approach
[4:19] Sometimes they can or should do the same things and sometimes they really shouldn't.
[4:43] Don't throw an event if you don't have a committee that can sell tickets and do sponsorships
[5:25] I call that the fundraising iceberg.
[6:57] Organizations have terrible systems. We're so afraid to invest in technology.
[7:18] We need a plan.
[8:33] Get everyone on the same office software.
[9:15] Where are we currently spending time?
[9:38] You have to understand what the problem is to find a solution.
[10:14] If you automate some systems, the impact on your organization's time is huge.
[12:45] Mindset change comes from a lot of different places.
[14:45] Clarity - you have to have a really clear sense of what it would be like if things were different.
[16:23] The best fundraisers are deeply curious.
[17:17] You have to understand how they think about it and why it matters to them in their words.
[18:23] We always assume who has and does not have money.
[19:29] I turned what was going to be a $250k ask into a $3MM donation.
[19:59] The Yellow Brick Road of Yesses.
[20:38] Best source of information about your donors is directly from them.
[23:22] I still always think that as you get started, you still need to have some conversations.
[25:22] What you're doing is building these relationships and getting to know and understand people.
[25:50] Most people in our sector see fundraising as a necessary evil.
[31:42] if we can do the work and get over those initial hurdles, our communities are going to benefit.
[0:01]

How to build deeper relationships with your donors and boost your nonprofit fundraising in 2021 so you can build stable donation streams for years to come – Dwight Adkins.

#018 – Dwight works at Swaim Strategies where he helps nonprofits maximize fundraising. His superpower is relationship building. He has been building and cultivating relationships his entire life. Dwight believes “relationships are the key to life and the more you invest in relationships, the more enriched life will be.”

2021 is NOT a time to relax. Spend the year investing in your donor relationships. Reach out to donors and figure out how you can add value to them. Even if people or companies can’t give this year, cultivating relationships now will set you up for future giving when they are in a position to give again.

Dwight walks us through 1) why this is important AND 2) how to do it. He gives us some great tips on how to develop authentic, deep, and mutually beneficial relationships. You need to commit to it, but the good news is, these are skills most of us already use in our personal lives.

Be sure to check out swaimstrategies.com to learn more about Dwight’s work.

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Resources

Swaim Strategies

4 Key Takeaways

#1 The fundamentals of development are the same as those in relationship building, listen to the donor and ask genuine questions;

#2 Treat them the same way you want to be treated; listen to their priorities;

#3 It’s easier to cultivate and steward an existing donor relationship than to go out & get a new donor; AND

#4 The most reliable and recession-proof types of gifts are from individual donors, not corporations.

Show Notes

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

[2:22] The fundamentals of development are relationship building and listening to the donor.
[2:45] Don't only talk to your donor when you want something.
[3:06] Treat them the same way you want to be treated - listen to what's going on in their world.
[3:50] Don't act like you are less than when asking for donations.
[4:30] Confidence shows the donor you are serious.
[5:50] It's easier to cultivate and steward a current donor than to go out and get a new one.
[6:23] You don't want to be asking for something every time you talk to your donors.
[7:55] When you don't ask, you are making the decision for the donor.
[9:40] Ask your corporate donors to introduce you to their counterparts.
[10:18] There's an art and a science to development - the art is relationship building.
[12:11] Most large companies show their giving priorities on their website.
[13:05] Most large companies list their Community Affairs Officer on their website.
[13:30] The most reliable and recession proof types of gifts are individual donors.
[13:50] If a corporate donor has a bad year, is bought, or goes out of business, you have a problem.
[14:49] Maintain a large prospect pool.
[15:55] Don't underestimate the value of the local bank branch
[17:04] As for communication, one size does not fit all.
[17:49] Consider an umbrella sponsorship proposal.
[18:49] You don't need an immediate answer.
[21:06] You need to come to the meeting with an opinion and agenda.
[21:18] Do your homework and know what is important to them.
[21:57] Kiss of Death - Asking for money in the 1st meeting.
[22:34] Donors' situations are dynamic so you should be ready for change.
[23:45] Make sure you are in touch with your contact in December.
[26:35] Figure out if the company matches employee donations.
[27:03] Board member to board member asking is oftentimes successful.
[27:45] Don't rely on the obvious donors or businesses.
[28:27] Always be prospecting and curious about who can support you.

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

Resources

4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

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

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4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

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

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4 Key Takeaways

Show Notes

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

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

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

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4 Nonprofit Branding Strategy Questions Every Nonprofit Should Be Asking

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How to write grants for nonprofits organizations like a GURU (NO experience required) – with Teresa Huff

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The secrets to nonprofit fundraising in the age of coronavirus – with Brock Warner.

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Now you can boost your nonprofit’s fundraising without being a fundraising professional – Cindy Wagman tells us how.

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How to build deeper relationships with your donors and boost your nonprofit fundraising in 2021 so you can build stable donation streams for years to come – Dwight Adkins.

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