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!

As a development strategist, I am always stressing that fresh thinking can make a huge difference to your organization – fresh thinking about your constituents, donors, potential donors, how you fundraise, and how to promote your cause in the community.  That’s why when I attended the Kiwanis Club of Poughkeepsie’s silent auction last week I was so excited to see that they embraced such fresh thinking by recognizing and seizing upon an “open-minded moment.”

What is an open-minded moment?

In her recent blog post The moment that matters most for your cause, non-profit marketing blogger, Katya Andresen identified an open-minded moment as the “time, place or state of mind when people are most likely to hear your message, find it relevant and act upon it.”  The Kiwanis Club of Poughkeepsie found that moment and took advantage of it for their beneficiaries.

Just how do you promote your cause with an open-minded moment?

Kiwanis’ mission is to change the world, one child at a time; Kiwanis is about the kids. Kiwanis has a built in audience, but they looked outward to find a way to reach a broader constituency with their message. And they were successful.    They named their silent auction event “IT’S about KIDS.”  They found the moment.  The event brought in substantial funds and the guests were inspired by the cause.  It was fun, you shopped, you ate – but something happened that did not happen before.  There was that aha moment, when the participants made that all important connection that this is REALLY about the kids! Funny, how thinking outside the box by selecting such a simple name and focus for the event can have such a significant impact.  Nonprofits need to find the open-minded moment that applies to their individual missions and seize upon it.  Because as Katya said, it is the moment that matters most for your cause.

Today, when I renewed my driver’s license, I was ever so aware – where I was not before – of the machines in the lobby of the building that dispensed candy and gum.  All proceeds go to Kiwanis.  It now truly connects just how important those few pennies are and the good they will do.  Another moment that matters for the cause.

Last week I talked about getting a conversation going up here in the Hudson Valley between nonnprofits and local businesses about giving in both directions.  Well that conversation is happening!  I learned that my car dealership – Prestige Toyota in Kingston – is engaging in effective corporate social responsibility practices with UlsterCorps.

Prestige Toyota has launched a community relations program where it invests a portion of annual revenue back into the region to help local organizations maximize their potential. When Hurricane Irene devastated the Hudson Valley, Prestige Toyota wanted to help with a flood relief project.  They chose to provide support to UlsterCorps’ general operations. UlsterCorps is a fabulous organization whose mission is to build a culture of volunteerism and service.  As a result of Prestige Toyota’s donations, the organization was able to disseminate storm relief initiatives through its website, which in turn facilitated connections between victim needs, service organizations and volunteers. A win for all involved:  (1) UlsterCorps received funds for important services (2) Flood victims received much needed aid, and (3) Prestige Toyota enhanced its image as a socially responsible business that cares not only about its customers, but also the community.  And in a smart move, Prestige Toyota sent emails to its customers announcing the launch of this new program – which is how I learned of it!

Also a great example of how to align with the right CSR partner

The collaboration between Prestige Toyota and UlsterCorps is also a wonderful example of a synergistic partnership – something that plays a key role in effective corporate social responsibility strategies.  Both organizations have business models based on service and execute them brilliantly.  For example, when I bring my car in for servicing, Prestige Toyota feeds me, has reading material to keep me occupied, offers a loaner car for my convenience, and readily accepts when I just drop in for a service.  UlsterCorps has a reputation for continually and successfully connecting volunteers with individuals and organizations so that constituents get the aid they so desperately need. This synergy of business models provides for an efficient partnership.  How can you foster such a relationship? When looking for organizations to align with, consider:

• Who does it make sense to partner with?
• Where will the partnership have the greatest impact?
• How will core competencies align with the partner?
• Where is the entry point?
• How does the partnership support the strategy?

I was so thrilled to see this conversation happening.  Let’s keep the chatter going!

I spent the day in New York City last week.  As always, NYC is a visual wonderland for both sides of the brain.  Whenever I wander through that incredible, bustling city filled with stimulating sights and sounds, I take in images that develop, augment and shape what I know and what I don’t.  In my case, the nonprofit WHOLE brain never sleeps.  It is always on the prowl for takeaways and trends to bring back home to my Hudson Valley.  My brain just seems to be hardwired for Fresh Thinking.  And the other day was no different – a simple store sign stopped me in my tracks.

Hmm . . . Could Someone’s Retail Therapy Mean Money for Nonprofits in the Hudson Valley?

Brooks Brothers was running their two-day Make-A-Wish Foundation Special Event.  Shoppers received a generous discount on purchases AND 4% of the net profits were donated to The Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation. The foundation aims to grow and strengthen one of Brooks Brothers’ core values: the communities in which they live.  The Golden Fleece Foundation also supports St. Jude’s Thanks and Giving event.

Here is the important takeaway – let it be known where the money is going. The information St. Jude’s provides, similar to the nationally recognized Make-A-Wish concept, allows the business and its customers to see the impact of their donations.

Did you know that the average wish costs $7500? That was their benchmark for the event.  Remember what gets measured gets managed and that plays a key role in future philanthropic campaign decisions!

So . . . I Began Thinking What Retail Therapy Could Mean to Smaller Nonprofits and Businesses

No matter the size of your nonprofit or business, retail therapy can drive donations, brand reputation, and good feelings.  This is not something exclusive to larger chain stores or nationally recognized nonprofits.  In the retail therapy/profit donation concept, the donor business becomes the superhero for giving money to a local charity.  It becomes known for its CSR because customers know exactly where the donations went. The nonprofit gains visibility and shares with the community how the donations made a difference. Round and round it goes.  Add in the “shop local” concept and CSR flourishes for smaller businesses and nonprofits.

My takeaway from my day in NYC: there is a conversation going on about giving in both directions.  Let’s have that conversation up here in the Hudson Valley!

I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal the other day that underscored the concept that fundraising has become much more complicated, sophisticated and competitive.  It spoke of how the Brooklyn Museum dissolved its Community Committee, which had been raising money for the museum since 1948, and moved all fundraising efforts to its Development Office so that they could be conducted by professionals rather than volunteers.

Gone are the days of solely raising money through raffles, luncheons, letter writing campaigns, and/or simply asking. While fundraising is no longer about a rolodex and charismatic personality, these time tested tools are still a part of the fundraising toolbox – just not the only tools.  The good news is there are many wonderful ways organizations can keep pace with the ever evolving “give and get” economy of nonprofits and gain some new tools to help remodel their fundraising strategies.

Research the Strategies of Other Nonprofit Organizations

I have found that the nonprofit world is a generous sector that freely shares their efforts, strategies, and successes with other nonprofit organizations.  Simply Google a topic and countless blogs, websites, and webinars will help you navigate this new world of nonprofit fundraising.  Whether you are a small organization with a minimal infrastructure or a large nonprofit with special committees, you will find FREE valuable online resources at your disposal.  You can learn about new ways to promote your events, such as through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and even YouTube. Some nonprofits even display their annual financial statements on their websites so you can see how their efforts are fairing.

CSR as a Strategy for Your Nonprofit

And then there is the tool of the future: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  As I mentioned in my last post, CSR should be an integral part of today’s nonprofit fundraising strategy.  Gail Perry recently shared a noteworthy takeaway from the International Association of Fundraisers Conference in Vancouver – nonprofits must be open to for-profit business collaborations. As Gail points out, there are many legitimate companies looking for nonprofits to partner with, and more and more innovative for-profit business models popping up.  Businesses know these partnerships are good for their branding.  After all, 85% of Americans say they have a more positive opinion of a company when it supports a cause. Nonprofits need to take advantage of this new opportunity. The times are changing.  Today it is not enough to seek donations; nonprofits need to find a partner who will help them survive.  The time is perfect for incorporating CSR as part of any fundraising strategy.

In today’s economic climate, both nonprofits and businesses need to look at new ways to survive.  The sad reality is that 70% of nonprofits have only three months of reserves. As a development strategist, I truly believe that positive change can happen if you embrace the belief that life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them.  The concept of social responsibility fits this thought perfectly.  Developing community involvement strategies allows nonprofits and the businesses they partner with to meet new connections and stakeholders, gain greater visibility, aid those in the local community, and enhance the bottom line.

Just what is corporate social responsibility?

In its simplest form, corporate social responsibility – also referred to as CSR – is operating a business in a way that accounts for social impact. Unfortunately, I continually see a disconnect with how corporate social responsibility can benefit nonprofits and the business.  It is so important for nonprofits to get local businesses to understand that developing a community involvement strategy is a vital investment in the future of not only nonprofits and their surrounding communities, but the business itself.

CSR Helps Businesses Differentiate Themselves

Research shows that consumers favor companies that engage in effective socially responsible practices, such as donation of sales to area nonprofits, employee volunteerism, and local sourcing.  It is simply the buy local, give local notion.  When cultivating philanthropic relationships, it is important for nonprofits to stress how well developed corporate social responsibility strategies can help build business brand and reputation.

Carefully Constructed Partnerships Ensure Effective CSR Results

In these difficult times of limited resources, stakeholders are pressured to get the absolute value of what they invest. Unfortunately, ineffective collaboration can undermine philanthropic results for our community and shortchange the causes and constituents involved. Perhaps the missions of the corporation and nonprofit were incompatible.  Maybe expectations were not properly set. Developing a comprehensive community involvement strategy with carefully constructed partnerships can help ensure CSR success.

The Current State of CSR in the Hudson Valley

The philanthropic mindset and giving history that exists today in the Hudson Valley can be summed up as one inch deep and a mile wide.  Money has and is usually given on the basis of history, without reviewing relevance, outcomes or effectiveness.  As a result there is no focus and little impact.  Community issues appear to be the periphery, not the core of business.  A comprehensive community involvement strategy can change that and positively affect the bottom line for businesses, nonprofits and the Hudson Valley community at large.

This post was merely an introduction of corporate social responsibility.  Because this is such an important topic, I plan on following up with informative and helpful future posts on the detailed benefits and values of CSR, types of CSR activities, new studies/statistics and examples of good CSR practices.  So be sure to visit often or subscribe to my blog to keep your fingers on the pulse of this important and exciting topic.

Even the most amicable divorce can be stressful. It is a time of transition, and a good transition places us on a new path that is full of promise and possibilities. A poor transition makes things much more difficult.

Last October, Women In Transition Hudson Valley held a workshop at Locust Grove, Going through a divorce?  “Navigating the Legal System: your lawyer, your family, yourself” that was designed to demystify the legal system and provide the financial information women must understand to be independent. The response to Navigating the Legal System was overwhelming.

Next up, WIT will be offering a repeat event on Thursday, March 31 at The Terrace Club from 5:30-9pm. We were asked by many of our guests and followers to head our event south for a Putnam County audience.

The event will focus on the legal issues that women are often afraid to bring up, and on rights that many women, sadly, do not realize they have. That feeling of being victimized one more time when you don’t understand “legalize” and the actions that follow.  What questions should you ask?  What are you entitled to (custody arrangements, orders of protection, etc.) despite what your husband and others are telling you? WIT will repeat the information that was so useful to our earlier audience,  amplifying non-financial topics with presenter, Michael Weinstein, with a fair amount of time for questions in our Q&A.

After the Q&A, Dr. Dee DePorto will lead a guided meditation to help everyone decompress and “un-conference.” This allows us to discuss the information presented, share our thoughts on the topics; with your comments helping WIT chart the course for future events.  A WIT event bonus; sip wine and relax in the company of other women who are all going through a similar transition.

You can learn more about Women In Transition Hudson Valley at womenintransitionhv.com/wordpress .

The connections are like measurements of the thread count in bed linens -  communities with denser weaves between the figurative warps and wefts of people, businesses and nonprofit organizations are more nurturing and enriching communities.

The Wall Street Journal contained an interesting article by Charles Murray.  As a development strategist, I am constantly looking for new ideas to bring into my Fresh Thinking concept, and articles like Murray’s sometimes strike a chord. In “The New American Divide,” Murray talks about the degradation of the American way of life over the past 50 years. That sweeping phrase, the American way of life, used to be quite common. In the old Superman comics and TV shows, the Man of Steel fought for “truth, justice, and the American way.” Everyone once knew what it meant.

According to Murray, the American way of life was “a civic culture that swept an extremely large proportion of Americans of all classes into its embrace. It was a culture encompassing shared experiences of daily life and shared assumptions about central American values involving marriage, honesty, hard work and religiosity.” Murray argues that our shared civic culture has been sundered, and that we are now a nation of different classes with different sets of education standards and work ethics in his just released  book, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010.

Whenever I read articles about the broader picture of life across America, I am always struck by how fortunate we are to live here in the Hudson River Valley. In some parts of the country, education and stature and super ZIP codes create insular cultures that seem to focus on exclusion. In contrast, our rich quality of life in the Hudson River Valley is one of inclusion.  To a large degree, I think that is because of the wonderful not for profit organizations we have and support. NPOs are inclusive in nature because they reach out to everyone, in all walks of life, to foster a culture of giving and caring. They tie different communities together by promoting a shared set of values in every region of the country.

I urge everyone to engage with our local not for profit organizations and local for profit businesses that uphold our traditional American values. In this age of multi-media tasking, electronic social media and online shopping, it is easy to become disconnected from the sense of community that makes our country great. We need to foster growth in our own neighborhoods and cities and regions, and we need to strengthen the linkages between our communities and other communities through the shared values of the NPOs we support!

One not for profit at a time, that is the American way!

It was another opportunity to become reacquainted with the Foundation Center. If your organization hasn’t used this tremendous resource before, then you should get to know them immediately.

The Foundation Center was established in the mid 1950s and is a global resource for philanthropic connections. Just as a good foundation is the basis for constructing a stable, an enduring building, the Foundation Center provides the knowledge needed to build strong and lasting networks between the people who want to change the world and the people with the resources to do it. Thousands of viewers visit the Center’s website every day, either seeking a connection to a funding source or looking for a nonprofit organization to advance a philanthropic goal.

Workshops are terrifically energizing experiences for me. They allow me to reconnect with people and organizations who have fallen out of touch, and they provide memories of past accomplishments that let us focus on goals for the future within a positive framework of achievement. It’s very easy in life to get sidetracked by mediocre performance. Old project partners can jog our memories back onto the right track. Just seeing them reminds us that we CAN accomplish great things when we work together because we already HAVE accomplished great things.

It’s the chance to get turned on to a new book or a new website, or to see and hear new examples of how ordinary people can truly make a philanthropic difference. I was struck last week by the tremendous proliferation of food trucks on the streets of Manhattan. Not hot dogs or street meat, as it’s colloquially known, but foods from every cuisine I could think of and from high-end restaurateurs. Many were operated by social entrepreneurs who advertised that every lunch sold earned a donation of a lunch to a child in need.

Whole Foods operates a program that donates 5% of the store’s profits one day per week to a rotating queue of charitable organizations at all their locations. I mentioned in a previous blog that leaving 5% of an estate or trust to a local Community Foundation could do an enormous amount of good for nonprofit programs over time. Whole Foods’ 5% day offers a different take on that concept, but still shows how powerful something as seemingly small as five percent can be.

I’m happy to share this information with you, and come back home to the Hudson Valley thrilled to use what I’ve learned from the sum total of my New York City experience. Always taking in the sights and sounds around me, generating Fresh Ideas on how we can work together to make a difference!