A few years ago my family began a new tradition for holiday giving. Instead of buying each other presents, we decided to take turns developing new and unique ideas for a gift exchange each year.
Gifts for us all: Giving to charity for Christmas
Take a Detour: Making the most of ResultsPlus CRM shortcuts
Shortcuts can sure get a bum rap. They’re too often associated with negative concepts like laziness, poor quality and undesirable outcomes. But I’m a fan, and I personally think they have some pretty important uses. (Example: that store-bought pie crust I used for my Thanksgiving Day offering last week.)
Read MoreGive Your Own Way
A few days ago I was reading an editorial piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The author was criticizing the foundation for focusing their efforts on causes outside of the United States when there is so much need inside their home country. While I can admire the passion of the writer for a cause he champions, I was mostly focused on the idea that giving is such a personal choice. Every gift should be celebrated, and every donor appreciated.
More Than A Holiday: Recognizing Veterans beyond Veterans Day
We hear it at least a few times per year: “The home of the free because of the brave.”
Get Social With It: Social Media for Nonprofits
As a nonprofit organization, it is important to get the word out about your cause. This helps to increase donations, keep your charity afloat and do the most good. However, you’re probably also working with a very limited marketing budget that doesn’t include billboards, television commercials, fancy brochures and pamphlets or website retargeting.
National Philanthropy Day in our Neighborhood
Our local community is observing National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, Nov. 6. The Southern Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has organized and promoted a gathering of donors, nonprofits and beneficiaries to share, learn and celebrate. It’s been happening for more than 10 years, but this year may be the best yet. It will feature Jerold Panas, a nationally-recognized (and internationally-known) expert in the field of philanthropy, as the keynote speaker.
Read MoreThat Warm, Fuzzy Feeling: Why People Give
As the holiday season approaches, many nonprofits have begun considering how to jump-start their nonprofit's fundraising efforts in order to increase donations. Whether it’s through a photo of a stray dog with those adorable puppy-dog eyes, a touching personal story or an eye-catching marketing campaign, nonprofits are constantly looking for ways to increase their number of donors.
Ring in the New Year, Close out the Old
Regardless of when your organizations’ fiscal year ends, your donors operate on a ‘fiscal’ year that ends on December 31st. We know that because that’s what the IRS tells us. And since donors often behave in predictable ways based on the calendar (e.g. giving surges in December), it makes sense for you to use the January-December timeframe for analysis and reporting – regardless of what your accounting year is.
Read MoreEndings and Beginnings
Regardless of where your organization is in terms of your fiscal year, you can’t ignore the fact that the calendar year is quickly coming to a close. And even if your fiscal year doesn’t end for another 6 months, you might consider that yourdonors’ fiscal year – the one determined by the IRS – ends on December 31st.
Read MoreEnding the Summer and Your Fiscal Year
We’re nearing the end of summer, which generally causes some predictable things to happen here at Metafile. Our support team tends to get busier as our customers return to a ‘normal’ office routine. Summer vacations wind down, new school years are prepared for, and employees on reduced summer schedules are back in the office full-time.
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