The nonprofit sector depends on the power of volunteers who share of themselves for the greater good, and any tool that makes it easier to support and encourage volunteerism is a winner to me! We also know that often our very best volunteers become loyal donors. This intersection of volunteering and giving is (more…)
Volunteerism
Fundraising Grit
Last year I wrote about successful campaign teams having super human stick-to-it-tiveness like that of silver-screen character Ethan Hunt and his Mission Impossible crew. Nonprofit campaign leaders should demonstrate an unwavering belief that success is theirs and never, ever give up. I was basing my fundraising team conclusions on personal experiences from being a part of winning campaign teams over the past twenty years. Today, I am pleased to share with you research-based evidence (more…)
Causeway brings support to local causes you care about
As part of National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 21-27, 2013, I am thrilled to pay tribute to a hometown team who is setting a new standard for supporting local causes with their hyper-local platform Causeway.
This is not your typical crowdfunding site.
Compared to industry leader Kickstarter, Causeway offers something exclusive for a community. Forbes contributor Ryan Caldbeck said in his 2013 crowdfunding predictions: “While Kickstarter can be successful as the Amazon.com of crowdfunding, (more…)
Next Level Volunteer Organizing Solutions
I was thrilled when Nazila Alasti, CEO and Founder of Jooners, contacted me this week and invited me to learn more about her online sign up solution. I wrote about two competing online sign up tools last year so I was eager to learn about (more…)
Simplify with Online Volunteer Organizing Solutions
When was the last time a notepad was passed around the room asking people to sign up for tasks or shifts for volunteer projects? Or how about a long e-mail thread with the same intent? Fortunately, online solutions offer a better way for organizations to help volunteers and volunteers to help organizations. Let’s look at two online solutions designed to take the hassle out of organizing, recruiting and reminding volunteers:
I recently used SignUpGenius to help staff the popular inflatables at an upcoming church picnic. It was fast and easy to not only login via the SignUpGenius link sent by our group organizer but also to select my shift and reminders. My scheduled shift not only integrated into my iCal, but I also received a handy e-reminder.
SignUpGenius was created by Skylark Productions in Charlotte, NC. “to simplify and organize the various groups and communities” that need volunteers. Founded in 2008, SignUpGenius focuses their business on custom sign-up pages for any type of organization or group, for-profit or non-profit.
When I mentioned SignUpGenius to a friend and professional volunteer, she suggested I also check out VolunteerSpot. And I did! I learned that both online tools offer similar ways to easily organize, recruit and manage your valuable volunteers without incurring any expenses. Both programs make it easy for busy volunteers to get and stay plugged into your events and projects.
VolunteerSpot launched in 2009 to enable “ANYONE to quickly mobilize and coordinate volunteers in their community, congregation and social network.” Founded by Karen Bantuveris, a management consultant working-mom/Girl Scout leader /PTA volunteer, VolunteerSpot supports nonprofits with a variety of services including collecting money for teacher gifts, fundraising projects, t-shirts and trips.
It seems to me both SignUpGenius and VolunteerSpot have clearly created better ways to organize volunteers!
What affordable solutions are you utilizing to help manage volunteers more effectively?
RELATED
Stand Out: A conversation with Cannon and Rick Montague, Co-Chairs of the Chattanooga History Center Capital Campaign
Welcome to the second interview of Stand Out, a Q & A series. Allow me to introduce you to my multi-talented friends and successful volunteer fundraising professionals, Cannon and Rick Montague.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A (Cannon): I was born and raised here, but lived in other places until I married Rick and moved back to Chattanooga in 1999. The city has changed enormously for the better, and I have great appreciation and respect for my husband’s involvement in (more…)
A culture of philanthropy
Nonprofit organizations that have nurtured a culture of philanthropy among its constituents are the most effective at raising money for their missions. What do I mean by culture of philanthropy? Nonprofits with a culture of philanthropy tend to:
- focus less on money and more on relationships.
- focus less on financial needs and more on winning people, programs and solutions.
- balance being donor-centered and mission-focused effectively.
- have established annual giving programs that support effective major gifts programs.
- have boards and staff who all donate.
- have volunteers involved at every level of fundraising.
- have engaged board members and senior leadership teams who accept responsibility in sustaining this culture of philanthropy.
It takes time to develop a culture of philanthropy.
Time well spent!
[updated with links]
Where are you headed?
A couple of weeks ago, I bounded out of a client’s office after another productive meeting and headed to the parking garage eager to tackle some of the things we had discussed. I was energized and focused. I followed my usual route to the garage. As I walked, I must have had some sort of energy coming off of me, because the people I passed on this busy sidewalk literally stepped aside to make a path for me. I was a tad uncomfortable that people were stepping aside for me so I thought about what I might be projecting as I (more…)
nonprofitunity 
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