Search results matching tag 'fundraising'

Effective Appeal Letters — Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

B087A473-A354-4812-B2BE-DFFA19F22C9A — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:13:00 GMT

Now that we’ve covered how to write compelling content for your appeal letters, let’s discuss the other details of your campaign. In my research, I have found that many fundraising professionals ask these common questions:

How Often Should I Send Appeal Letters?
The frequency that you should send appeals depends on your organization. It’s important to remember that your donors’ cash flow fluctuates, which means they could have the ability to donate on some occasions but not others. For this reason, experts say that once a year is not enough. Some organizations send appeals monthly; others conduct quarterly mailings. I would suggest using this information as a starting point and aim to send appeals 4 – 12 times a year. Remember two important rules. First, if you don’t mail to your constituents, someone else will. Second, most people won’t donate unless they are asked.

What Kind of Response Should I Expect?
Unfortunately, there is a lack of research that can tell us the average response rate to an appeal letter. Direct mail response rates average at .25 percent to 3 percent, but some say that nonprofits get better results. Anecdotal evidence indicates that nonprofits can expect response rates anywhere from .25 percent to 7 percent. Some people say that if you are mailing to contacts you closely know on a personal level (friends and family), you can expect a quarter of them to respond. Regardless, if your organization has the resources and can afford it, conduct a follow-up calling campaign to boost your results.

Other than a Calling Campaign, What Else Can Trigger Better Results?
List segmentation and personalized appeals. Identify the groups that your constituents naturally fall into, such as members, loyal donors, new prospects, alumni, volunteers, patients, and employees. Create appeals specifically for each. Spend time tailoring your message so that it speaks directly to their needs and preferences. Check out some of Blackbaud's white papers to find out how to ask your patients or employees for money.

How Can I Incorporate the Web into My Appeals?
Including your organization’s website address is a great way to offer your constituents a convenient way to donate or find out more about your organization. But don’t use your website as the only method for donors to give money. Too often, donors get distracted and forget to take that important step! As I mentioned in the eNewsletter, always include a remittance envelope.

A better question would be, “How can I incorporate my appeals into my web marketing?” Use everything from your eNewsletters, email signatures, Facebook® page, Twitter® updates, and other social media to promote your donation page. To find out more about the subject of online marketing and fundraising, check out the NetWits blog.

What Part of My Letter Will Get Read The Most?
Research shows that besides a headline, the portion of a letter that gets read the most is the postscript! Make sure to take the time to write a postscript, and make sure to write it as if you know your recipient personally. I would recommend re-stating your one-sentence takeaway in a creative call-to-action.

Do you have any burning questions about appeal letters that you would like anwered? Did you find the tips for writing appeal letters helpful? Do you have any tips of your own that you would like to share?

Development Associate - Vero Beach, Florida

F8D5E68A-6F92-449E-ADF1-EC21FC7BFA10 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:31:40 GMT

Indian River Habitat for Humanity currently has a vacancy for a Development Associate to provide support to the Development Manager and the Grant Manager. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate independent decision making, and be a highly organized self-starter. Excellent computer skills are mandatory. The preferred candidate will have above-average knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software and previous fund raising experience.

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume and three references to pgibbs@irchabitat.org.

No phone calls please.

Indian River Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry serving the residents of Indian River County.

Special Report: 10 Ways to Make Your Website Fundraising Friendly

E5C88447-5199-478F-8572-0B33411A52AD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:43:00 GMT

Fundraising Success is a prominent fundraising magazine for nonprofits that provides invaluable information to professionals working in the nonprofit space. I was fortunate enough to contribute to their November 2009 issue with an article that talks about ways to get the maximum return on investment for your website in helping your organization raise more funds online.

The article goes into a quick analysis of how online activities for nonprofit organizations fall into one of three segments:

No online presence
Limited online presence
Dynamic online presence

And then explores eleven (yes, I know... the 11th one is a bonus!) areas that will help your organization become more successful with online fundraising:

Consistent online branding
Information architecture and navigation
Call to actions
Design and user interface
Audience Centric Design
Search engine optimization
Content management
Effective email communication
Active participation
Integration with system of record
(Bonus) Make it interactive!

Check out the complete article in all its glory is here on FundraisingSuccessMag.com.

Do you have advice about how websites can be made more fundraising friendly? Share your comments with us!

USO Job Announcement for a seasoned Director of Online Fundraising in Arlington, VA

a6e55abe-9456-485a-aee8-5810501dfaf9 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:44:18 GMT

ANNOUNCEMENT: An extraordinary opportunity in an extraordinary organization, the USO…. About the USO:The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s armed forces and their families. We have since 1941 and we are going stronger than ever today. We provide a touch of home to troops wherever they serve through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet the very special needs of troops and their families. The USO is not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of the American people. We are supported by corporations and by millions of individual donors who come to the USO because we are the way the American public supports the troops.The ROLE:You will have a unique opportunity to build a world class online fundraising capability to dramatically increase the USO’s online donations revenue stream. You will design the compelling campaigns and build the capacity to inspire and mobilize people to financially support the USO's mission. You will have the know-how to combine knowledge of new media, communications strategy and development expertise to create a stunningly successful online fundraising enterprise.If you are technically savvy, have a demonstrated, successful track record of online fundraising, are a strategic innovator, and an exceptional team player able to work collaboratively within the development division and on cross functional teams, please contact us. The successful candidate will embrace the mission of the USO, and bring a wealth of professional focus and expertise in online fundraising to the organization. This will require knowledge of current and next generation online fundraising techniques and the ability to assess current programs in place to make immediate tactical improvements while setting state-of-the-art strategic direction.

Call us at 703-908-6443 or visit our careers page at www.uso.org/careers/ to learn more about this extraordinary opportunity. To apply online directly, click on the link below.

http://uso.balancetrak.com/ARL323 http://facebook.com/theUSO | http://twitter.com/the_USO www.USOonPatrol.org.

Assoc. Director, Information & Support Services -- Southern California

17b0a2a2-a031-441c-8f3f-8fd6b7a2e4cb — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:12:43 GMT

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The ALS Association is looking for an Associate Director, Information and Support Services in our Calabasas Hills, CA location. Reporting to the Director, Donor Research & Management, this position will manage, coordinate and assess the data and technical side of the Association’s direct marketing program, as well as advise on and implement policies regarding data flow and management for the Development Department including business processes & intelligence, policy development, new Association projects and initiatives, and Advancement Services needs.

Minimum of 4 years of IT and/or back-office support experience (non-profit experience preferred). Experience with fundraising database software required, specifically with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge. Experience with Blackbaud Direct Marketing tool highly preferred. Experience with Convio and Donor Pro preferred. Heavy experience with data segmentation for direct marketing. Interested and qualified candidates email resume and salary requirements to: jobs@alsa-national.org or fax to (818) 880-9442.

Development Manager Position - San Diego, CA

8733FAF3-A62C-4CF9-BAB5-A0F893DDD20E — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:58:08 GMT

The Arc of San Diego is one of the region’s largest human service providers for people with disabilities. Since 1951, The Arc of San Diego has been providing services to people with disabilities and now serves more than 2,500 children and adults throughout San Diego County. The Arc of San Diego is seeking a full-time Development Manager to assist with implementing a comprehensive development program for The Arc based on a formalized development plan & marketing strategy to assure adequate funding for programs, services and special projects by securing financial resources from foundations, corporations and individuals. As a key member of The Arc’s fundraising team, the successful candidate will be results-oriented, have strong analytical skills, and be highly adaptable. Under the direction of the Vice President of Marketing & Development, the Development Manager will be responsible for building and growing The Arc’s annual giving program by expanding the organization’s current base of support. This position raises annual revenue to meet the goals of the organization through the resources of individuals, corporations, foundations, grants, and special events. Eligible candidates need qualifications enabling them to fulfill the following key responsibilities:

•Responsible for achieving annual fund targets.• Conduct prospect research and develop individual donor cultivation plans.•Personally cultivate and solicit prospective donors to promote interest in providing support for The Arc, conduct donor cultivation activities throughout the year, and ensure all donors are properly recognized through appropriate acknowledgement.•Focus on solicitation activities within specific market segments identified as having potential for the greatest growth.•Develop a coordinated matrix of communication, stewardship, and solicitation strategies for donors via e-communications, direct mail, telephone/mail, and one-on-one meetings. •Assist with all charitable giving including annual membership program, direct mail appeals, and internet based fundraising.
•Solicit corporate partnerships and sponsorships. •Research grant opportunities and write grant proposals.•Develop creative strategies for broadening the organization’s base of support from individuals, nurturing existing relationships as well as identifying new constituencies and expanding funding base.•Create and implement online giving and email communications to steward donors.•Provide support as needed to assist Vice President of Marketing & Development with support in major gifts, planned gifts, and capital campaign activities. Qualifications:•3-5 years work related experience in development desired and successful record of achievement in solicitations of financial support.• Bachelor’s Degree in related field. •Knowledge of professional standards and legal parameters regarding fundraising activities. •Excellent written and oral communication skills. •Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple and competing responsibilities.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with fundraising database programs (Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge preferred).Compensation:

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please provide salary history. The Arc of San Diego offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401k options.Qualified applicants should submit cover letter and resume to lmcgill@arc-sd.com.

Development Data and Gift Manager

7C653086-7AB6-416F-86EA-B436B8FDCBF5 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:17:38 GMT

The position: Primarily responsible for administration of Raiser's Edge fund-raising database and gift processing for the development office of Oregon Episcopal School. This includes creating reports and queries as necessary and processing all gifts. Other duties include assisting in researching and writing grants, writing letters and informational pieces, providing assistance with mailings, greeting and assisting volunteers and visitors, and providing support as needed. Requires some repetitive work, standing/sitting, lifting and walking to other parts of campus. Full-time, 12-month position. Occasional evening and weekend work as well as local travel may be required. For a full description of specific duties, please see our website: www.oes.edu.

The School: Oregon Episcopal School (OES) is an independent coeducational day-boarding school located in Portland, OR. Founded as St. Helen's Hall in 1869, the school currently enrolls 840 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The mission of OES is to prepare students with promise for higher education and lifelong learning and to enhance their intellectual, physical, social, emotional, spiritual and artistic growth.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a proven track record of database management with Raiser's Edge or comparable fund-raising database. He or she will have strong interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both written and oral, an ability to work independently and to seek out instruction. He or she must be able to manage work flow strategically and to clearly communicate project time lines and to meet deadlines. Must be able to problem solve. The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to work in a team environment, in support of the Development Department's goal of raising financial support for the school's mission.

Salary and Benefits: Competitive compensation package

To Apply: Interested candidates should email cover letter, resume, salary history and references to: Lynn Mawe, Director of Development at development@oes.edu.

Talk Now: Sponsorship Puzzle

8b9f0e08-8fb4-4cfc-9f37-481188b88382 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:41:00 GMT

Whether it is a brick, a seat, a tree or a bench - If you can label it - You can sponsor it!

The majority of cultural organisations engaged with sponsorship offer a target campaign, such as Adopt a Tree, Name a Seat etc - For a fixed sum donation, your supporters can place their name and a message on the 'Seat'.

However, the question is for how long should an adoption be valid?

What happens if the adopted object is damaged / moved / replaced?

If the appeal is part of a wider campaign (E.g. a Capital Build)?

Compton Verney advocate a resourceful approach to Sponsorship E.g. Adopt a Tree

Here the organisation stipulates the terms upon which a Tree will be replaced.

What do you think - should an adoption have an expiry date?

An expiry date enables the organisation to solicit a new donor(s) - but does that devalue the opportunity in the first place? Does it mean you need to ask for a smaller donation to begin with?

You are welcome to comment, discuss and share best practice with every post on Ticket Talk.

All you need to do is register with the website. We look forward to reading your comments.

Online Project Manager

7089b4e1-1b77-4918-aec5-3a6191f8937f — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:19:49 GMT

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International(JDRF)for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal or lead to devastating complications. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research,including more than $156 million in FY2008. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals, and industry, and fellowships in 22 countries.

Currently we are accepting applications for a Online Project Manager. Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

* Manage online projects and develop the tasks necessary to bring new and existing online projects to successful completion

* Work with internal Web Designers and outside vendors to develop content, graphics/layouts and coding required for special projects

* Work with departments to gather, organize, and post content and files on the Intranet.

Requirements include but are not limited to:

Bachelor's degree required.
4+ years of Information Technology experience with 2+ years in online project management required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Understanding of various computer systems and databases. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Cold Fusion (or similar online development tool), Web Server.
Experience in developing and delivering project plans, presentations, reports, and business correspondence.
Strong understanding of the Internet marketplace including industry trends, terminology, and dynamics
In depth understanding of site development process: Online branding/marketing, user experience, information architecture, site design, website/database concepts
Understanding of business communications and online usability

*********************************************************************************************

JDRF offers competitive salaries and a full array of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holiday and sick), medical and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), a maternity benefit program, and a retirement plan as well as a business casual work environment. *********************************************************************************************

If you'd like to join our team, please send your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to jobs@jdrf.org and indicate "OPM" in the subject line.

Please visit www.JDRF.org/careers for all our Career opportunities.

No Phone Calls Please. Only those candidates who meet our qualifications will be contacted. No staffing agencies please.

JDRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Business Analyst

7089b4e1-1b77-4918-aec5-3a6191f8937f — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:14:29 GMT

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal or lead to devastating complications. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals, and industry, and fellowships.

JDRF is currently seeking a Business Analyst to work in our IT department at our National Office located in downtown New York City.

In the role of the Business Analyst, you will be responsible for collection and documentation of business requirements for development division projects as well as provide daily user support of development division applications. You will recommend process, organizational, and system changes to CRM applications (Personify) and manage, test, and implement various parts of the application. Additionally in this role, you will work with our field staff (chapters) to analyze and convert chapter's data from disparate systems to the centralized "Personify" database.

Requirements Requirements include but not limited to:

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in proposing viable options and recommended solutions to address business problems and/or requirements. Bachelor Degree is required. We seek 3 years of IT experience in a role that required process analysis, and utilized databases, forms, and reporting tools in a medium to large non profit. An understanding the application development system life cycle is essential.

Experience with TMA Resources' Personify is ideal but other CRMs are welcomed. Customer service orientation is key. Experience developing / deploying web based applications is highly desirable. Fundraising and/ or customer relationship management experience at a non profit is preferred.

JDRF offers competitive salaries and a full array of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holiday and sick), medical and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), a maternity benefit program, and a retirement plan as well as a business casual work environment.

If you'd like to join our team, please send your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to jobs@jdrf.org and indicate "BA" in the subject line

Please visit www.JDRF.org/careers for all our Career opportunities.

No Phone Calls Please. Only those candidates who meet our qualifications will be contacted. No staffing agencies please.

JDRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.