Fundraising Trends and Lessons
Nonprofit fundraising has gotten leaner, more strategic, and more precise in recent years. At the same time social media has, like it or not, drastically impacted the way that nonprofits do business.
Get Ahead Together
You have a great idea and want to help your community thrive. Maybe you are already part of a local nonprofit or perhaps you are looking to start a new one. The question is: How do you turn your great idea into a mission that makes a difference? And how do you get that mission […]
Tame the Data Beast
My daughter’s favorite movie (at least for this week) is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Everyone knows the story, Belle comes to live in the Beast’s castle in order to free her father who had been imprisoned. The beast is a cold-hearted monster that is incapable of seeing good in people. Over time Belle brings […]
Forget Christmas in July, Plan Your Year-End Appeal Now
Once upon a time, we could spend all day on Thanksgiving enjoying time with family and relaxing in the afternoon watching football (or binging on Hallmark movies). Today, that’s often not the case. We rush through our holiday celebrations and hurry out to the store or ready our computer screens to be first in line […]
Finding the Sweet Spot when Giving Back
I often share with people that I spent over a decade working for nonprofits before going to the “other side.” The other side meaning the for profit world. Having worked on both sides gives a unique perspective. As a nonprofit marketer, I often tried to envision what a donor would want? What would they want […]
Matching the Outside to the Inside
When you walk down the street or through the mall, what makes you stop and enter a particular store or restaurant? My guess is there is something that draws you in. Maybe it’s a cute outfit in the store window? Or maybe it’s a sale sign? Perhaps it’s a fun, eclectic display sampling of what […]
Opening your Lens
Awhile back, I was approached by the University of Iowa Office for Study Abroad to talk about my time in Costa Rica during college. When we sat down to chat, the interviewer asked me what I gained from my study abroad experience that has influenced or helped me in my career. To be honest, it […]
Lessons learned from a “Stubborn Old German”
Earlier this month, my wonderful, hard-working, loving grandpa passed away. I am sad and miss my grandfather terribly, BUT, I am also happy. You see, my grandpa lived his life on his terms. He once said, while in the hospital recovering from a surgery, “It takes a lot more than that to take down a […]
Own Your Mess
Someone I greatly admire once said, “We live in a society where we only claim responsibility for the good. We blame others for the bad instead of taking responsibility. Don’t let pride win. Be willing to take responsibility.” Taking responsibility means a lot to customers and clients. It shows that you truly care about customer […]
Event Planning with a Purpose
Chances are if you have ever served on a nonprofit board or leadership team at a company, the discussion of planning an event has come up at least once if not several times. Events can be great vehicles to raise money, build awareness and build organic PR for your cause or company. I often get […]
