7 Essential Tips for Nonprofits
Fundraising is never easy for nonprofit organizations. But the Internet and other technologies, such as QuickBooks solutions for nonprofit organizations, can make your fundraising efforts more efficient and effective. Use these tips to discover how the Internet — and QuickBooks solutions for nonprofits — may be able to help you with your fundraising efforts.
Tip #1
Accept donations online. The Internet is a cost-effective channel that may help you reach a targeted, global audience comprising millions of potential donors. Most importantly, donating online can be easier for donors than traditional donation methods. When deciding whether to give to a nonprofit on-line, donors have the information needed to make the decision right in front of them. They can learn:
- What your organization does
- How their money will be used
- Your financial efficiency
When compared to the direct mail donation process, the online donor needs to take fewer steps. And those steps are easier and cheaper. Most importantly, the biggest step, which involves the donor going from having an impulse to give to actually donating, is far easier to facilitate online than by responding to a direct mail solicitation.
The donor needs to remember only your Web address, and then fill out an online donation form. When compared to opening an envelope, discarding a letter he or she probably won't read, filling out the form, possibly writing a check, sealing an envelope, and getting it to the mailbox, on-line donation is fast and easy.
Tip #2
Use targeted e-mail marketing. Many donors are turned off by stacks of junk mail and refuse to respond to any direct mail solicitation. And while donors also don't want unwanted e-mail, or spam, they may be interested in subscribing to an e-mail newsletter or online mailing list related to your cause or mission.
 Try producing an information-rich e-mail newsletter as a direct means of reaching interested parties. You can start with your existing member list or leads, and ask them to subscribe to your newsletter or online mailings. If you have a Web page, you can also add a subscription link, making the sign-up process automatic.
This type of opt-in, permission-based e-mail marketing gives your donors the option of receiving your timely information by e-mail rather than you calling them or bombarding them with direct mail pieces.
Tip #3
Locate relevant foundations on the Internet. Foundations generally fall into one of six classifications:
- Community foundations
- Corporate foundations/giving programs
- Family foundations
- Private independent and private operating foundations
- Public foundations
- Non-U.S. foundations
A good resource for more information on foundations can be found at the Council on Foundations. You can find this group on the Web at: www.cof.org.
Tip #4
Write informative grant proposals. The most effective way to garner a grant is to conduct diligent research, maintain a sound organization and present supportable proposals. Do not be lured into chasing grants just because you hear they are available.
Stick to your organization's mission and real needs, then search for funders who are interested in the kind of work you do and cultivate those available grants. Run reports from your QuickBooks financial data that confirm your organization is financially sound and include these reports in your grant proposal, if applicable.
Tip #5
Ensure that your grant proposal and formatting adheres to the grant guidelines. Consider these three important principles as you prepare each grant proposal:
- Clarity
- Simplicity
- Brevity
Follow the guidelines of the grant precisely. For state and federal programs, you'll need to use the same jargon that the organizing body used in the request for proposal (RFP). For foundations and corporate grant programs, use plain language and clearly define any specialized terminology that you can't avoid using. Include all documents and financial reports requested in the guidelines. Use the customization features in Premier: Nonprofit Edition to prepare each report to display the numbers requested in the preferred format and over the specified date range.
Also, prepare your budgets in Nonprofit Edition, and make sure your budget information is clear and you can explain its details and any peculiarities.
Tip #6
Consider online fundraising via associates programs. If you've considered selling books relevant to your mission or opening a small store to sell your wares, you may be able to save setup costs by providing these services online.
Both Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com have associates programs that make it possible for any organization with a Web site to make money through suggesting a book list. The two booksellers will give you a percentage of the price of the goods sold through the link on your site. Such relationships with other online retailers are also possible, so check with retailers that serve your specific area of interest.
Tip #7
Use a grant locator service. A grant locator service may be able to help you more efficiently locate grant opportunities for your nonprofit. Instead of spending hours searching for grant opportunities and waiting for a response, a grant locator service can give you access to online, searchable systems.
Many of the services allow you to search for available grants by category, keyword, funding amount, due date and a variety of other options. The services are fee based, but they may save you hours of time and help your organization more easily find relevant grant opportunities.
NOTE:
The application of these guidelines and tactics can vary based on your specific facts and circum-stances involved. Consult with your professional advisor concerning your specific circumstances. (c) 2005 Intuit Inc. All rights reserved. Intuit, the Intuit logo, and QuickBooks, among others, are registered trademarks and/or service marks of Intuit Inc. Other parties' trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.
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