Bringing together artists, community leaders, and neighborhood residents is a unique way to create change in under-served communities. Linda Steele, the Chief Community Engagement Officer with ArtsMemphis, is a nationally recognized leader who focuses on bringing these three groups together and ensuring that “the arts” extends beyond the traditionally recognized and established museums and performing
Financial and in-kind support from businesses and corporations are so important to the life of nonprofits. Whether through event sponsorships or grants for programs and operations, businesses matter. They provide visibility, funding and talent. Employees and executives serve as board members and volunteers donating their time, expertise and money. They encourage others to do the
Dignity. Honor. Respect. Do not underestimate the vision, power and tenacity of grassroots community organizations. We have seen first-hand how a well-defined vision can transform a community and the lives of its residents. This month Bayview Senior Services, located in one of San Francisco’s last African American communities, celebrates the grand opening of the Dr.
We recently had the opportunity to facilitate a workshop at the 41st Neighborhood USA Conference (NUSA) in Memphis, Tennessee. Participants came from as far as Alaska and Japan. Memphis bustled with energy from these dedicated community activists, and the estimated $750,000 economic impact they made on the local economy. We caught the buzz, and
Part two of a two part series Fear of heights. Fear of snakes. Fear of asking someone to give to a nonprofit organization. While we can’t help with the first two, we can provide suggestions for overcoming fear of soliciting. Personally asking someone to make a gift to a nonprofit you believe in is one
Part one of a two part series Personal solicitation is the backbone of nonprofit fundraising. It is also an area that many organizations and institutions shy away from. Learn how to improve revenue from personal solicitation. Because it is impossible to personally solicit every current or prospective donor, personal solicitation is reserved for individuals who
We recently facilitated two board meetings for two very different types of organizations. One was an institution that is over 100 years old with a multi-million dollar budget. The other was an emerging grassroots, community-based organization. At both meetings the focus was fundraising, and board members were actively engaged. They had suggestions about how to
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln “I wish someone would take care of all the details.” Such is the lament of fundraising staff who stagger under the weight of never ending activities and details. They try to keep it all
The universe is big. It’s vast and complicated and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles. – Dr. Who Windfall gifts are the secret fantasy of every fundraiser. These large, unexpected gifts can take a capital campaign “over the top.” In other instances they are the saving grace
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. – Albert Einstein Ideally your nonprofit is focused on raising the money you need to deliver on your mission and vision. You have a strong fundraising team with talented staff, enthusiastic volunteers, the right technology, and a communications strategy that
