5 big growth strategies for small nonprofits
TRANSCRIPT
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5 Strategies for Big Growth for Small Nonprofits
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Meet your hosts
Adria Orr • Account ManagerStina Rubin • Account Manager
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The 5 Strategies for Growth #1: THINK BIG, EXECUTE SMART
#2: YOUR TEAM, BIGGER THAN YOU THINK
#3: THE SECRET TO NO COST ADVERTISING
#4: IF YOU DON’T ASK, YOU DON’T GET
#5: LOVE YOURSELF FIRST
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#1: Think Big, Execute Smart
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Practicality Isn’t a Dream Buster
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER:
● Don’t try to do everything; focus on what you can do well
● Long term success requires you to invest time into your organization’s structure and processes
● It’s ok to say “no”
● Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize!
LESSON 1
The Emilio Nares Foundation maintains
their focus by exclusively driving childhood
cancer patients to hospitals.
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Keep it Simple
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
● What are your top three goals?
● What can you do to bring in new supporters?
● What is going to generate the biggest ROI?
LESSON 2
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Invest in Your Operations
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER:
● Understand how technology helps you scale
● Determine how you want to manage your data
● Build with scale in mind – invest today for tomorrow’s future
LESSON 3
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#2: Your Team is Bigger Than You Think
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Look Outside
THE POWER OF INSPIRED VOLUNTEERS:
● Write a job description; define specific roles & responsibilities
● Identify ways to make them feel valued
● Keep in touch when they move on
LESSON 1
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Look Around
THE POWER OF AN INVOLVED BOARD:
● Set a fundraising expectation
● Ask members to tap into the power of their networks
● Create meaningful value for board members to understand fundraising challenges
LESSON 2
“The fundraising potential of your board and their social networks is an opportunity you can’t afford to waste.”
Tweet this!
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Look Inside
THE POWER OF YOUR NETWORK:
● Identify supporters and advocates within your personal network
● Don’t forget your staff has valuable networks too!
● Attend networking opportunities within your local community
LESSON 3
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#3: The Secret to No Cost Advertising
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Fist-Bump, Don’t Chest-Thump
STRATEGIES TO BUILD YOUR BRAND:
● Focus on relationships first
● Attend relevant events
● Steward donors into life long supporters
LESSON 1
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Identify Your Low Hanging Fruit
COST FREE & EASY PROMOTION TACTICS:
● Create a monthly e-newsletter filled with campaign updates & milestone organizational updates
● Identify opportunities for local partnerships
● Launch a social campaign to target new supporters
LESSON 2
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#4: If You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get
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Build a Communication Plan
THE MUST HAVES:
● Website
● Social Media
LESSON 1
Tweet this!
“53% of donors leave because of a charity’s lack of
communication.”
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Always Be Stewarding Your SupportersA FEW BEST PRACTICES:
● Get to know your donors and what interests them for future engagement opportunities
● Personalize your website and communications
● Create an ongoing dialogue that makes them feel a part of your mission
LESSON 2
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The Upsides to Rejection
A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
● Don’t be afraid to ask for support
● Don’t get discouraged the first time you hear the words NO
● Continue to engage and reach out to contacts even if they have chosen not to donate in the past -- lack of response doesn’t mean no
Tweet this!
“It’s not ‘no’ forever, it might just be ‘no’
today.”
LESSON 3
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#5: Love Yourself First
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Refine Your Story
A FEW BEST PRACTICES:
● How do you want to talk about your mission?
● Be ready to give your elevator pitch in a moments notice
● Make sure your story has a strong narrative
RELATIONSHIP ADVICE PART 1
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Be You, Always
A FEW BEST PRACTICES:
● Consider the strength in unity of your voice
● Make sure that everyone in the organization speaks to your mission in the same way
● Your voice should be present in all of your communications
RELATIONSHIP ADVICE PART 2
Team Rubicon uses
military badges to
represent ways of
getting involved.
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Questions?
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1. KNOW YOUR DONORS 2. PLAN YOUR CAMPAIGN 3. BUILD A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
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