Non-profit

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Giving day – how ready is your charity or university?

A giving day is a one-day fundraising event where supporters of a charity or university are encouraged to make a donation. Giving days have become popular in recent years, providing an opportunity for organisations to engage with their donors and raise significant funds in a short period of time. However, not all organisations are equally well-prepared for such an event.

Giving day readiness factors

Here are some key factors to consider when determining if your charity or university is ready for a giving day.

  1. Fundraising Goals
    • Before planning a campaign, it’s important to have clear and realistic fundraising goals
    • Consider the size of your organisation, the number of donors you have, and the resources you have available to determine a realistic goal
  2. Donor Database
    • A well-maintained donor database is essential for a successful event
    • Make sure your database is up to date, and that you have accurate contact information for your donors
  3. Communication Plan
    • A clear and effective communication plan is crucial for the success
    • Consider how you will reach out to your donors and engage them in the event
    • Engagement may include emails, social media, direct mail, and other methods
  4. Matching Gifts
    • Matching gifts are a great way to encourage donors to give
    • Consider securing matching gifts from corporate sponsors or major donors to add an extra incentive for giving
  5. Volunteer Support
    • A giving day requires a lot of work and coordination
    • Consider recruiting volunteers to help with tasks such as outreach, donation processing, and social media engagement
  6. Technology
    • Robust technology infrastructure is required to manage donations, communications, and donor data
    • Make sure your organisation has the necessary technology in place
  7. Preparation Time
    • Giving days typically take several months to plan and execute
    • Make sure your organisation has the time and resources necessary to plan and execute this large-scale activity

In conclusion, a giving day can be a great opportunity for a charity or university to engage with its supporters and raise significant funds. However, it’s important to consider these key factors and ensure your organisation is well-prepared before embarking in the event. With the right planning and preparation, a giving day can be a powerful tool for advancing your organization’s mission.

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Marketing automation features to seek out

Marketing automation platforms are an essential tool for charities looking to streamline their marketing efforts and reach a wider audience. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start when searching for the best platform for your organisation. In this blog post, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a marketing automation platform for your charity.

Key factors to search for in your marketing automation platform

  1. Features
    • One of the first things to consider when searching for a marketing automation platform is the features it offers
    • The platform should offer the features that your charity needs to run effective marketing campaigns
    • Some key features to look for include email marketing, lead scoring, segmentation, and social media integration
  2. Integration
    • It is important to choose a platform that integrates seamlessly with your charity’s existing systems
    • This will ensure that all your data is accessible in one place and that you can automate your marketing processes effectively
    • Consider looking for platforms that integrate with your CRM, website, and other marketing tools
  3. User-friendly interface
    • Choose a platform that is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface
    • A platform with a simple and intuitive interface will make it easier for your team to use and get the most out of it
  4. Price
    • Budget is a key consideration when searching for a marketing automation platform
    • Look for a platform that offers a balance between cost and functionality
    • Consider both the upfront cost and ongoing expenses, such as monthly or annual subscription fees
  5. Customer support
    • Finally, consider the level of customer support that the platform offers
    • Good customer support can help you get the most out of your platform
    • Strong customer support will ensure that you are using it to its full potential
    • Look for a platform that offers 24/7 support
    • Seek a platform that provides support via a variety of channels
      • Phone, email, and live chat

Choosing the right marketing automation platform for your charity is essential to ensure that your marketing efforts are most effective. Consider the features, integration, user-friendly interface, price, and customer support when searching for the best platform for your organisation.

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Charity donations are given due to altruistic reasons and others

Charity

Donating to charity is a noble act that can have a profound impact on the lives of those in need. While altruistic reasons such as empathy, compassion, and a desire to help others are some of the most common motivations for giving, there are many other factors that influence people’s charitable giving.

Reasons people give to charity

  1. Tax Benefits
    • For many people, the tax benefits of donating to charity are a significant factor in their decision to give
    • Charitable contributions can result in tax deductions that can lower an individual’s taxable income, potentially reducing the amount of taxes owed
  2. Personal Beliefs and Values
    • People who are deeply committed to certain causes often choose to support organisations that align with their beliefs and values
  3. Social Influence
    • People are often influenced by the giving behaviour of their peers, friends, and family
    • If someone sees that those around them are giving to charity, they may be more likely to follow suit and donate themselves
  4. Reputation
    • For some people, charitable giving is a way to enhance their reputation and demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact on the world
  5. Legacy
    • Many individuals see charitable giving as a way to leave a lasting legacy and make a positive impact on future generations
    • Donors may choose to support organisations that align with their values and beliefs
    • Donors may also align with charities that have a long-term focus on sustainability and impact
  6. Marketing and Advertising
    • Companies often donate to charity as part of their marketing and advertising strategy
    • Such an affiliation will improve the company reputation, build brand loyalty, and attract customers who value social responsibility
  7. Emotional Rewards
    • Charitable giving can provide emotional rewards such as a sense of fulfilment, satisfaction, and gratitude
    • These rewards can be especially meaningful for those who have experienced personal hardships

A 2021 Australian and US study published in Nature Human Behaviour found asking for donations by appealing to the donor’s self-interest may result in more money than appealing to their better nature. Those who received an appeal to self-interest were both more likely to give and gave more than those in the control group. The effect was most pronounced for those who hadn’t given prior.

In conclusion, while altruistic reasons are a significant driver of charitable giving, there are many other factors that influence why people choose to donate to charity. Understanding these reasons can help organizations create more effective fundraising campaigns and inspire more people to give.

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Fundraising conference – maximising your experience

Attending a fundraising conference can be an incredibly valuable experience for anyone in the fundraising profession. With so many talented and experienced individuals in one place, it’s a unique opportunity to network, learn, and grow. It is important you follow some key points to maximise your attendance at any fundraising conference.

Tips for making the most out of a fundraising conference experience

  1. Network, network, network!
    • Take advantage of the opportunity to meet and connect with other fundraisers from across the country
    • Attend networking events, and be sure to bring business cards or another means to exchange contact details with other attendees
  2. Plan ahead
    • Before the conference, research the speakers and sessions to determine which ones will be the most beneficial for your needs and goals
    • Make a schedule and stick to it, so you can make the most of your time at the conference
    • Use the conference app to plan your experience
  3. Participate in sessions
    • Don’t be afraid to ask questions and engage with the speakers and other attendees
    • This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced fundraisers and to get insights and ideas that you can take back to your own organisation
  4. Take notes
    • Keep a notebook with you to jot down important insights and ideas that you hear during sessions
    • This will help you remember what you learned and will give you a reference to look back on after the conference is over
  5. Volunteer
    • Many conferences offer opportunities to volunteer, such as helping with registration or working at the information booth
    • Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, get involved in the conference, and show your support for the organisation
  6. Follow up
    • After the conference, follow up with the people you met and the connections you made
    • Send a quick email or LinkedIn message to reconnect and continue the conversation

Attending a fundraising conference is a valuable investment in your professional development. By taking advantage of the opportunities available and following these tips, you can make the most out of your conference experience and come away with new insights, ideas, and connections that will benefit your fundraising efforts for years to come.

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The benefits of QR Codes are continuing to show

In recent years, the QR code has become an increasingly popular way for charities to accept donations. QR codes are simple to use, fast, and secure, making them a great option for organisations looking to streamline their fundraising efforts.

FundraisingForce have written previous articles about the lifespan of the QR code.

Benefits of the QR code

  1. Convenient for donors
    • QR codes make it easy for donors to contribute to a charity
    • Donors simply need to scan the code with their smartphone, which takes them directly to the donation page
    • This eliminates the need for donors to manually enter a website address or search for the organization online
  2. Increased donations
    • The convenience of QR codes can lead to an increase in the number of donations received by a charity
    • Because the process is so simple and quick, more people are likely to take the time to make a contribution
  3. Improved donor experience
    • QR codes provide a seamless and efficient experience for donors
    • This helps to build trust and a positive relationship between the charity and its supporters
  4. Increased exposure
    • QR codes can be used in a variety of ways to increase exposure for a charity
    • For example, they can be printed on brochures, posters, in advertisements or on T-shirts to make it easy for people to make a donation on the spot
    • This helps to reach more potential donors and raise more funds for the cause
  5. Enhanced security
    • QR codes provide a secure method for processing donations
    • The information entered by the donor is encrypted, making it difficult for fraudsters to access sensitive information
    • This helps to ensure that the charity and its supporters are protected from theft or fraud

Last week, I received a newsletter from a member of the NSW Parliament. In the newsletter, the MP was discussing outcomes achieved for those of us who live in his electorate. That, alone, is not a surprise. What was surprising is the way he communicated the outcomes and how he asked or invited us to visit web pages behind various QR codes to learn more or to sign a petition. The newsletter contained 12 “wins” and a majority of the outcomes contained a QR code to find more details.

In conclusion, QR codes offer a variety of benefits for charities looking to streamline their fundraising efforts and increase the number of donations they receive. By making the donation process more convenient, secure, and efficient, QR codes are helping to build stronger relationships between charities and their supporters and increase exposure for the cause. If you’re interested in using QR codes for your charity, there are a number of tools and services available to help you get started.

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Matching gifts increase the impact of fundraising efforts

Matching gift

Matching gifts are a powerful tool for nonprofit organisations to increase the impact of their fundraising efforts. By offering to match donations made by individual donors, organisations can encourage supporters to give more, increase overall contributions, and ultimately, achieve their mission more effectively.

FundraisingForce have written about this topic before to stress the importance of this funding methodology. The topic has been taught and written about a multitude of times include by the likes of Moceanic and others.

Matching gifts – more than double the donation

  • Encourages Increased Giving
    • One of the most significant benefits of matching gifts is that they encourage increased giving
    • When donors know that their gifts will be matched, they are often more willing to give more
    • Donors feel their gifts will have a greater impact, as they are effectively doubled by the match
  • Attracts New Donors
    • Matching gifts can also be an effective way to attract new donors
    • People may be more likely to give to a nonprofit if they know their gift will have a greater impact through a match
    • Individuals may not have given to the organisation before or may be on the fence about making a donation
  • Builds Relationships with Donors
    • By offering matching gifts, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to their supporters and build stronger relationships
    • When donors see that the organisation is willing to invest in their gift, donors are more likely to feel valued and connected to the organisation, which can lead to increased loyalty and future giving
  • Increases Awareness
    • Matching gifts can also help to raise awareness about a particular cause or organisation
    • When a match is offered, it can generate buzz, bringing attention to the organisation and its mission
    • This can lead to increased visibility and ultimately, more donations
  • Maximises the Impact of Gifts
    • Finally, matching gifts are an effective way to maximise the impact of individual gifts
    • When a match is offered, the impact of each gift is doubled, which means that the organisation can achieve more with the same amount of resources
    • This is particularly important for organisations with limited resources, as it allows them to stretch their dollars further and make a greater impact

Including matching gifts in charitable appeals is an important and effective strategy for nonprofit organisations. They serve a multitude of purposes. Organisations can achieve their mission more effectively and make a greater impact in their communities.

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Relationships with suppliers are critical to maximising charities’ success

Charities’ success largely depends on the relationships they maintain with suppliers. By working closely with suppliers, charities can maximise their impact, reduce costs, and improve the quality of services they offer. A charity’s relationship with its supplier can dramatically impact the outcomes achieved.

In this blog post, we will explore five focus areas charities can employ to maximise relationships with suppliers to achieve their goals.

Clear communication, well-defined expectations, mutual trust, support, and collaboration are key elements in building strong relationships with suppliers. Charities should invest time and effort into these relationships, as they play a crucial role in their success. Think of suppliers as an extension of your staff. You would provide staff with the in-depth knowledge and tools they need to do their job. Provide your suppliers with the same resources.

Five focus areas

  1. Establish clear communication channels
    • Regular communication between charities and suppliers is key to building strong relationships.
    • Charities should establish clear communication channels and ensure that suppliers understand their goals, requirements, and expectations.
    • Take these actions to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that suppliers are fully aligned with the charity’s objectives
  2. Define clear expectations
    • Charities should define clear expectations for suppliers, including quality standards, delivery dates, and customer service expectations.
    • By clearly articulating these expectations, charities can ensure that suppliers understand what is expected of them and are able to deliver on their commitments
  3. Foster mutual trust
    • Building trust is essential in any relationship, and this is especially true when it comes to working with suppliers.
    • Charities should be transparent and honest in their dealings with suppliers and should work to build trust by being reliable, trustworthy, and delivering on their promises
  4. Offer support
    • Charities should support suppliers by providing them with the resources they need to succeed, such as training, guidance, and access to funding.
    • This support will help suppliers to improve their products and services, which will, in turn, benefit the charity and its stakeholders
  5. Foster collaboration
    • Charities should encourage collaboration between themselves and suppliers, such as joint projects, events, and initiatives
    • This collaboration will help to build stronger relationships, create new opportunities for both parties, and achieve shared goals
    • Collaboration could also reduce costs and decrease the risk of more than one supplier providing duplicate, overlapping services
    • FundraisingForce are a specialist consultant member of The Xfactor Collective. The Xfactor Collective includes consultants who are experienced, pre-vetted and from multiple disciplines to aid charitable organisations to meet their pressing needs.

Suppliers are an extension of your staff. Working with suppliers in a focused, clear, and concise manner will ensure you receive the optimal benefit for your organisations.

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QR codes are here to stay

QR Code

In 2021, I wrote a blog post about QR codes having nine lives. Now, the simple fact is QR codes are here to stay!

Over the past two to three years, we have seen an abundant use of the QR code. Simply put, we survived COVID due to the QR code and the QR code survived because of COVID.

It used to be a rare occasion when a charity would include a QR code as a convenient way for the donor to give a donation. Now, nearly every charity generates an appeal-specific QR code and prints the code on the appeal response device. Over the past few weeks, all but one direct mail piece received from an Australian charity has included a response mechanism that included a QR code. My heart sank when I opened the one appeal lacking the code.

Musts from iConnectx

iConnectx, a US technology provider, wrote a blog that is a nice summary of the use of QR codes and the how-tos. In the blog post, iConnectx suggests things to think through when creating one:

  • ensure that your website can be accessed on mobile and tablets. Remember QR codes are designed to be used on smart devices such as phones and not on desktops
  • generate a QR code with the help of a QR code generator. There are several free options available online for generating QR codes. You can also consider paid or subscription versions for greater flexibility. Paid versions offer customisation with your organisation’s brand colours, logo, etc.
  • integrate data analytics into the code
  • link the QR code to web pages designed for mobile browsing. Make sure the QR code is linked to the Donate Now or specific appeal page
  • donors can scan the QR Code from their smartphones. They will be directed to a mobile web browser to view the link in the QR code. Alternatively, they can be sent an SMS or a prompt to dial a number

QR codes can be used in a variety of creative ways. Do not use QR code technology just because it is the “in thing” to do. Ensure QR codes have a purpose within your organisation. More than anything, ensure QR codes have a real benefit to your donor.

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Cybersecurity – not just for our corporate counterparts

security logo

Cybersecurity is on the minds of Australians given the recent breaches of AHM, Medibank, and Optus data. In our sector, Blackbaud paid a ransom and faces lawsuits filed by multiple customers due to a data breach in May 2020.

According to a recent article published in UK Fundraising, 1 in 8 charities have been affected by cybercrime in the past 12 months.

How secure is your organisation? A UK Charity Commission survey suggested the most common types of attacks were phishing and impersonation, both of which can put personal data at risk.

The survey conducted by IFF Research in October 2022, showed 2,330 charities in England and Wales underreport incidents with only 34% of affected charities reporting breaches.

Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) White Paper

Every organisation has a duty to ensure cybersecurity. These and other actions can help ensure your organisation is as secure as possible. The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) published a white paper focused on cybersecurity, which suggests real potential issues for each of our organisations if we do not mitigate risk. Those issues include:

  • loss of crucial information
  • disruption to services
  • unauthorised changes to your charity’s information and systems
  • expensive costs to restore data and services
  • costs of notification and investigation (including legal costs)
  • costs arising from the attack itself (for example, extortion or ransomware)
  • regulatory action and penalties
  • loss of trust and reputation

According to the Identify Theft Resource Center, the information exposed in the Blackbaud breach included Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, personal health information (PHI), financial information, credit card information, telephone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, mailing addresses, phone numbers, student I.D. numbers, biographical information, donation dates, donation amounts and other donor profile information. Blackbaud is calling this a security incident.

The Charities Commission in the UK has suggested a stronger use of two-factor authentication, which is something most CRM suppliers are requiring of their customers. Further, the Commission suggests:

  • updating training and policies
  • backing up data using cloud services
  • ensuring the latest version of antivirus and other software is used

The ACNC recommends four steps to prevent cybersecurity:

  • identify and assess the risks
  • prevent incidents and mitigate risks
  • engage people in the charity, and even third parties, to help manage risks
  • take action when concerns, suspicion or complaints arise
What is your organisation doing to mitigate the risks of a cyberattack? Are your suppliers mitigating similar risks? Your organisation and its suppliers have responsibilities to your supporters. Together you can create a ring around your data and your systems.

 

QR Codes seem to have nine lives

For nearly a year now, Australians have been conditioned to use QR codes to move about freely during the COVID-19 pandemic. We scan these codes when we enter or exit most establishments. QR codes are something that was once considered to be innovative and, then, left for dead. QR Codes seem to have nine lives. COVID-19 seems to have breathed new life into this tool.

QR codes are indeed everywhere. They’ve even started to re-appear on response devices for charity appeals, again! This week alone, I have received three appeals with QR codes prominently placed on the response devices.

Appeals received today from the North Foundation, Odyssey House, and The Wilderness Society all featured a QR code placed prominently on their respective response devices for their latest campaigns. Just last week I was at Monash Health Foundation where QR codes are in abundant use on promotions for their recent eating disorders appeal.

Now that Australians are used to using the QR code on a daily basis, is your organisation bringing back the QR code?

Steps to set up a QR code

  1. Visit a QR Code generator site, such as QR Code Generator (it’s free)
  2. Select URL and enter your donation page URL
  3. Save the QR Code to your desktop
  4. Insert the QR Code into the art for your response device and on any promotional material

Years ago, I wrote a blog post about the use of the QR code and why they were not more prevalent in the charity sector. These codes appear to have made a comeback in a big way. Perhaps they are here to stay. Equally, perhaps we can thank COVID-19 for conditioning people to accept them for a multitude of uses.

Consider ways in which your non-profit organsiation might deploy a QR code similar to the great non-profit organisations featured here.

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