WILLIAM DARLING NONPROFIT CONSULTANT darlingnonprofitconsultant.com

   DARLING NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER

                 November 09- Newsletter Issue # 5             

 How Do I Find New Donors and Volunteers?

I spoke briefly on this subject in my previous newsletter in the Things to Ponder section. The good news is that there is a pool of potential new donors and volunteers available. As previous stated there are some industries that are still thriving. Some businesses are recession-proof and many new businesses are developing because of the tough economy. There are many potential donors and volunteers within this group. Do your research and keep up with the news to find companies that are doing well in spite of the economy. Also, in these tough times, many companies are seeing employee volunteerism as a cost-effective way to continual to contribute to their communities and have set-up programs encouraging their employees to participate.

Many donors may not be able to give as prosperous as in previous years, but are willing to volunteer or help you in soliciting other donors.

You should also make sure that your organization is not losing funds. When I represented consumer in bankruptcy or business clients I always asked my clients to review their income and expenses to determine where funds may be lost or unaccounted. Nonprofits like business simply overlook lost or unaccounted funds when things are going good. Overlooking funds or sources of funding could be very harmful to your organization in tough economical times.

Your organization must become innovated in its fund raising efforts. It must use some if not all of the new tools that are available to help nonprofits in their fund raising efforts. An organization must incorporate on-line fund  raising along with its off-line activities. Your organization traditional off-line fund raising activities may need to change in order to adapt to today’s economy climate. Don’t be afraid to change. The fear of changing can paralyze you. “When you are though changing, you are though.”- Bruce Barton

Nonprofits depend greatly on volunteers. However, most nonprofits do a poor job of utilizing their volunteers. Accordingly, more than one-third of those volunteers do not come back the next year to serve at any nonprofit organization. The nonprofits must learn to better utilize their volunteers so that they will continual to give their time and services.

Looking for volunteers? The first place to start looking is at your inactive volunteers. Get the word out that your organization need and desire volunteers. Word of mouth is a simple no cost way of getting the word out. You can start within your organization by encouraging the board, staffs and members to bring in new volunteers. In all of your public communications let the world know that you need and desire volunteers.

The first wave of baby boomers is just now retiring. This is a very large pool of potential volunteers. Many of these new volunteers will also be donors. In addition this new pool of potential volunteers can be valuable recruiters for your organization by convincing family, friend and former co-workers to participate as well as to donate.

Another overlooked and under appreciated group of volunteers is energetic young people ready, willing and able to serve their communities. More and more young people are coming forward to join AmeriCorps than ever before. It appears that President Barack Obama call to young Americans to come forward and serve their communities is being answered.

Most nonprofit do not value their volunteers nor see them as strategic assets. Volunteers that are channeled correctly can be an invaluable asset. Many volunteers bring many skills that are either not utilized or under utilized by nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations should take full advantage of their volunteer. They should also show that their volunteers are valued and greatly appreciated, if you do this the volunteer will continual to return.

In all of your public communications let the world know that you desire and need volunteers.

 Think creatively and find ways to tap into this pool of potential donors and volunteers where others nonprofits have overlooked.

===================================================

                   QUOTES OF THE MOMENT

 "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... it's about
learning how to dance in the rain."-unknown

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."- Roosevelt Theodore

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of
your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand:
the first is to help yourself, the second is to help others." -- Audrey Hepburn

===================================================

                        THINGS TO PONDER

• Lupus Foundation multiplies donations via Facebook. The Lupus Foundation of America’s Outreach on Facebook helped increase its donations 790%.Have your organization utilized the tools of social networking?
• Have your organization created compelling stories? Find the stories that will reach your donors hearts.
• Does your nonprofit organization have a great tag line that clearly conveys to possible supporters exactly what you do? Nancy Schwartz, Author of Getting Attention writes “A nonprofit’s tag line is hands down the briefest, easiest and most effective way to communicate its identity and impact.
• Are we really meeting the needs of those we serve? We talk constantly about impact and in particularly on cutting programs and service that do not have an impact. What exactly is impact and how do you measure it.
  

        ================================         

                 FOR YOUR INFORMATION

                      Tidbits, News and Announcements