Why commercial-style branding doesn't work for nonprofits—and what does Taking its cue from for-profit corporations, the nonprofit world has increasingly turned to commercial-style branding to raise profiles and encourage giving. But it hasn't worked. Written by a longtime industry insider, this book argues that branding strategies borrowed from for-profit companies hasn't just failed, but has actually discouraged giving. But why does branding—a well-developed discipline with a history of commercial success—fail when applied to nonprofits? The Money-Raising Nonprofit Brand + Website argues that commercial-style branding is the wrong tool applied in the wrong way to the wrong industry. Offers a real-world fundraising strategies that work in the nonprofit world Disabuses readers of the dangerous notion that commercial-style marketing works in the fundamentally different nonprofit world Written by an industry insider with 25 years of experience raising funds for many of the most successful nonprofits in the world Nonprofit fundraising is a fundamentally different world—financially, emotionally, and practically—than commercial marketing. Here, the author explains why commercial marketing strategies don't work and provides practical, experience-based alternatives that do.

In the current economic climate, nonprofits need to focus on ways to stand out from the crowd, win charitable dollars, and survive the downturn. Effective, mission-focused communications can help organizations build strong identities, heightened reputations, and increased fundraising capability. Brandraising outlines a mission-driven approach to communications and marketing, specifically designed to boost fundraising efforts. This book provides tools and guidance for nonprofits seeking to transform their communications and marketing through smart positioning, branding, campaigns, and materials that leverage solid strategy and great creative, with a unique focus on the intersection of communications and fundraising.

With this book in hand, nonprofits can increase their fundraising potential-and their overall impact-by learning how to ramp up nearly every aspect of their fundraising programs in new and creative ways. Today's competitive and ever-shifting environment demands that nonprofits adopt a new approach to raising money. This book will show them how, in part by changing the way those charged with fundraising think about this all-important task. The book will help nongovernmental organizations plan better, write more powerful grants, craft more compelling appeals and other communications, engage board members and donors-and brag about all the great work they're doing in just the right way. It offers readers a fresh perspective on fundraising, as well as clear, practical strategies to build essential connections using varied tactics, including social media. Equally helpful is an eye-opening discussion about beliefs and attitudes that can stand in the way of fundraising success. Unlike books that focus on a single strategy such as grant writing, board development, or major gifts appeals, this volume is unique in that it details fundraising strategies that generate the highest return on investment. In doing so, the author provides a theoretical framework, creative ideas for taking best practices to the next level, and specific tools that can be applied to reach fundraising goals. By adopting the new framework, enhancing skills, and taking a fresh look at their task, nonprofits can raise the money they need to make a significant difference, regardless of their mission or cause.

Corporate giving currently accounts for nearly 10 percent of all charitable donations nationwide, and most experts agree that the flow of corporate resources earmarked for nonprofit programs is on the rise. Yet, many fund raisers are held back from tapping this gold mine by the fear they don?t know how to "play the system" correctly. When it comes to soliciting corporate funds, even old hands at private fund raising find themselves stymied by the lack of clear-cut answers to such critical questions as: "How do I find out which companies give and how do I obtain information about them?" "Who are the funding decision makers, and how do I appeal to them and cultivate relationships with them?" "What hidden strings and pitfalls should I be aware of when soliciting corporate funds?" Successful Corporate Fund Raising provides in-depth answers to these and all your questions about finding and winning corporate funds. The distillation of Scott Sheldon?s more than two decades of experience as a corporate fund raiser, it provides a complete blueprint for developing and maintaining successful corporate fund-raising programs at nonprofits of all sizes. The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the world of contemporary corporate giving. It explains the key differences between private funding and the "strategic philanthropy" practiced by many corporations. It describes the various forms corporate giving most commonly takes, including cash, in-kind, and volunteerism. And it clearly spells out the motivations, perceptions, expectations, and conditions driving most corporate funding.The lion?s share of the book is devoted to schooling readers in effective low-cost strategies for locating, obtaining, and managing corporate resources. Organized around the five key components of a successful corporate funding initiative, it provides step-by-step guidance on how to research corporate funders, cultivate relationships with key personnel, solicit corporate resources, evaluate the efficacy of fund-raising initiatives, and manage funded programs. It also supplies a wealth of forms, questionnaires, sample letters and proposals, checklists, and other valuable tools that can easily be adapted for use in your organization. Successful Corporate Fund Raising is an indispensable working resource for all nonprofit fund raisers, development managers, agency executives, and board members. An expert?s guide to finding and winning corporate support for your nonprofit organization. This book shows fund raisers and executives at nonprofits of all sizes how to take advantage of the current corporate funding opportunities. K. Scott Sheldon provides a fresh, insider?s look at contemporary corporate giving, and he develops a complete blueprint for developing a corporate fund-raising program. Step-by-step, he walks you through the entire corporate fund-raising process and: Describes proven fund-raising strategies and techniques that can be integrated into virtually any nonprofit organization Alerts you to the common pitfalls to corporate solicitation and shows you how to avoid them Explores the impact of new technologies on corporate fund raising Details solid strategies for taking advantage of resources other than cash, including in-kind donations and volunteers Illustrates key points with fascinating and instructive real-world case studies Arms you with an array of forms, checklists, sample documents, questionnaires, and other valuable tools

Nonprofit Hero is written by Valerie Jones, who has raised more than $175 million for nonprofits and coached thousands of people to authentically and successfully ask for the causes they care about. She’s addressed more than 50 audiences from Baltimore to Beijing and is one of fewer than 10,000 Certified Fund-Raising Executives (CFREs) worldwide. In addition to running her boutique consulting firm, Valerie M. Jones Associates (VMJA), she’s volunteered extensively, serving nonprofits as president, chair, board member, and committee member. Her methodworks. Trained boards report increased comfort and willingness to ask. Many indicate they are prepared to ask for bigger gifts, can identify more prospective donors, and intend to contact these prospects sooner. Her book, Nonprofit Hero,contains stories, tools, and exercises not included in trainings. Readers will learn how to: Honor their fears.Surprisingly, these contain their personal prescription for success. Channel their passion by tapping the energy of why they want what they want. Discover their asking personality, including how they should and shouldn’t ask. Get started with tips on thirty simple things to do right now for free to help raise money. Follow five easy steps, starting with thanking, not asking, and with givers, not prospects. Cast themselves as stars, finding the step they’ll most enjoy and at which they’ll excel. Attract support by listening, understanding motivations, and helping fulfill donors’ desires. Elevate their speech so that they can make their case sincerely and with compelling confidence. Get in the right frame of mind to show up ready for “yes,” not braced for “no.” This book also helps readers form an in-depth description of their asking personality. It illustrates how they can best thank, steward, research, cultivate, and ask; which of the five steps they favor; how to address their fears; play to their strengths; overcome their weaknesses; and how to get what they need to excel. There are 16 different and distinct profiles, one suited to each reader. Finally, this book includes a toolkit of practical samples and templates, such as sample giving dos and don’ts, asking scripts, and fundraising plans.

The Little Book of Gold is dedicated to helping small (and very small) non-profits unlock their fundraising potential. Avoid common pitfalls and get tips on proven methods that work. This short guide helps new Executive Directors, active board chairs, and other key staff in charge of fundraising to learn the basics of professional and sustainable fundraising. Geared specifically for non-profits with small and very small budgets (a few hundred thousand dollars a year down to the smallest budgets). Revised and expanded. "It was a perfect primer for me as I prepare for a new role in my agency." -- Anne Maack, Child Start, Wichita, Kansas "A valuable contribution to our colleagues in the nonprofit world--especially those of us in smaller organizations that do not have dedicated fund development staff."-- Jose Martinez, Executive Director, Food Bank of Yolo County, Yolo County, California

Nonprofits are communicating more often and in more ways than ever before . . .but is anyone paying attention? In her follow-up to The Nonprofit Marketing Guide: High-Impact, Low-Cost Ways to Build Support for Your Good Cause, Kivi Leroux Miller shows you how to design and implement a content marketing strategy that will attract people to your cause, rather than begging for their attention or interrupting them with your communications. Youll learn how to plan, create, share, and manage relevant and valuable content that inspires and motivates people to support your nonprofit in many different ways. Inside: Eye-opening look at how nonprofit marketing and fundraising is changing, and the perils of not quickly adapting Up-to-date guidance on communicating in a fast-paced, multichannel world How to make big-picture strategic decisions about your content, followed by pragmatic and doable tactics on everything from editorial calendars to repurposing content Real-world examples from 100+ nonprofits of all sizes and missions This book is your must-have guide to communicating so that you keep the supporters you already have, attract new ones, and together, change the world for the better.

40 proven strategies for raising big money with businesses There's a reason why nonprofits are getting smaller checks from corporate giving programs. Companies are abandoning or slashing giving budgets and instead focusing on win-win pacts that drive sales and change the world. Nonprofits need guidance and practical know-how in this new age of mutually beneficial nonprofit and business partnerships. Presenting forty practical fundraising strategies to help small to medium-sized nonprofits raise more money from businesses, Fundraising with Businesses breathes new life into nonprofit / for-profit relationships to begin a new era of doing good and well. Presents new and improved fundraising strategies for raising money from businesses—from in-store register promotions and shopping fundraisers to online workplace giving solutions and digital campaigns involving popular social networking sites. Written by an experienced fundraiser and renowned blogger and speaker on business giving. Features case examples of successful nonprofit/corporate partnerships that will be regularly updated via a link with the online pin board Pinterest. The fundraising potential of working with businesses is greater than ever. Read Fundraising with Businesses and discover the tools to turn existing and new business relationships into successful—and lucrative—partnerships.

Raising More Money is an organization based in Seattle that coaches nonprofits on a system for raising sustainable funding from individual donors. Axelrod, the group's founder, here lays out the rules of engagement for the Ask Event, a one-hour gathering of a large group of people that focuses on an organization's mission in order to generate multiple-year pledges for operational funding. The goal is to get away from the hand-to-mouth, burnout-generating reality of most nonprofits, which often focus on a single year's financial goals at the expense of long-term survival. Axelrod's guide puts the event into a larger fund-raising context, explains how to prepare for and hold an Ask Event, and shows how to sustain the cycle.

Raise more money for your cause! Based on expert advice and insights from a variety of respected industry experts, Nonprofit Fundraising 101 is an essential text for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, activists, and social entrepreneurs who want to leverage best practices to promote their cause. Built upon the success of the best-selling Nonprofit Management 101, this easy to digest book provides practical, comprehensive guidance for nonprofit fundraising around the globe. With tips and tools, expert advice, and real-world insights from almost fifty industry leaders, this robust resource addresses the entire spectrum of fundraising for nonprofits, including: Planning, hiring, and tracking progress Individual donors, major gifts, events, and direct mail Board and volunteer engagement Foundation and government grants Corporate partnerships Online and email fundraising Social media and mobile crowdfunding Earned income and social enterprise Written by and for front line practitioners and geared towards a global audience of emerging and established leaders, this field guide offers step-by-step formulas for success. Nonprofit Fundraising 101 features a foreword by fundraising guru and Soul of Money author Lynne Twist, insights from notable non-profit professionals such as CNN's Van Jones, and an afterword by Kiva.org Co-Founder & President Premal Shah. This book also provides indispensible ideas and diverse case studies ranging from grassroots efforts to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and advice for organizations of all sizes and focus. Chapters are brief and easily digestible, featuring extensive resources for additional learning, concrete best practices, and pitfalls to avoid. Enjoy this must-read manual to learn tried and true ways to raise more money for your cause, nonprofit, or charity.