In my youth, I was known as the “information guru.” Back in the days when you clipped articles or ripped stories from magazines, I would read for myself then send out the pearls of wisdom that I found to those that would benefit from them.  I always seemed to have an exquisite sense of what information each person could use.  It was a lot of work to share that information back then – the expense of stamps, the countless trips to the post office . . . .  Flash forward to the present.  I am still sharing tips and valuable info, but the Internet has streamlined the process.

Sharing FREE Resources for Non-Profits in the World of the Web

The non-profit world is VERY generous with their resources.  Thanks to that generosity and the invention of the Internet, what you need to know can be found quickly and easily on websites, webinars and blogs.  You can follow some of the leading thinkers in the non-profit industry. Yes, free resources for non-profits are definitely there for the taking, but I hear so many clients complain that they don’t know where to find the information or the time to read, digest and use it for their organization.

This is where I am come as the great aggregator of information.  I LOVE research and the process of shaping it to each organization’s individual needs.  When I hear something terrific, ideas bubble up in my head and I feel an immediacy to share them.  Yes, IMMEDIATE, because so much of this information is actionable and usable NOW.  I will email clients to share my new found data or resources.  I am excited and I want to get them excited about new possibilities for their non-profit.  Each week I also strive to share informational pearls that organizations can use to improve their bottom lines on my blog.  Today is no different.

Example of a Fabulous Free Resource

Asking Matters is a favorite free resource of mine.  Why? Because Andrea Kihlstedt has devised one very clever tool – an evaluation that takes a few minutes – and it’s yours for the asking!  Asking for donations can be a burden and/or a gift.  Either way, each individual has their own unique “asking style.” Andrea believes when “everyone understands their fundraising style, they will be more comfortable asking for gifts and will have far greater success in raising funds.”  So she developed AskingMatters.com.  Just take the website’s free asking style assessment and unlock a source of tools, webinars, e-books and trainings on how to “ask” for money.

You are most effective when you use YOUR style rather than rely on a directive from a Board Chair. Take note, however, EVERYONE’S styles work together.  “We are playing to people’s strengths with their asking style, not their weaknesses,” says Andrea. So find out what your asking style is – as well as the styles of your board members, staff and volunteers and “work” all of them to improve your fundraising efforts.

FYI – I was also excited to learn that you can actually be two styles.  I happen to be a kindred spirit and a go-getter.  I so enjoy being able to see the “aha” moment when clients see the big picture – the kindred spirit in me. I hope this post has been an “aha” moment for you and you visit Asking Matters today!