The next $99 GrantStation promo is just around the corner! On February 13 and 14, eligible organizations can save up to $600 on this essential grantseeking tool. We hope you’re just as excited for it as we are. Find new funders who will love your mission! Check out our $99 GrantStation page to learn more.

LEARN ABOUT GRANTSTATION

Thank you to The Community Foundation for hosting an incredible Summit, I was delighted to be a part of it and share the slides. Enjoy!!!

Annual Campaigns: Tips and Tricks

Storytelling: Tips & Tricks

Ideas to Impact: Key Note

I often receive inquiries about using golf tournaments for fundraising purposes, and I personally find them to be a fantastic choice. However, I want to emphasize a crucial factor for success: Do you have dedicated golfers within your network? Are they on your board, among your donors, or within your circle of friends? If the answer is yes, then a golf tournament is likely a great fit for your fundraising goals. If not, it may be worth exploring alternative fundraising options.

I have found an exceptional guide that I believe will be invaluable to those of you who can confidently answer ‘yes’ to the golf question!

Check it out here!

The end of the year will be here before you know it, it is time for non-profit organizations and charities to gear up for their year-end giving campaigns. This crucial period can make a significant impact on an organization’s financial health and ability to carry out your mission. To ensure your campaign’s success, it’s essential to plan strategically and execute your efforts with precision. Here’s a sample timeline to guide you through the process:

June – August

The summer season marks the beginning of your year-end giving campaign journey. While the holiday season may seem distant, starting early gives you the advantage of thoughtful planning and preparation. Here’s what you should focus on during this phase:

1. Content Development: Begin crafting compelling content for your campaign. This includes writing emails, creating social media posts, designing graphics, and even shooting videos if applicable. Quality content is key to capturing your audience’s attention.
2. Approval Process: Collaborate with your team to finalize and approve the content. Ensure that all aspects of your campaign align with your organization’s mission and values. Having ample time for approvals prevents last-minute rushes.

October

As the leaves change color, it’s time to launch your campaign and start building excitement. Launching in October allows for a longer campaign period and offers advantages for campaigns involving direct mail. Here’s what to focus on during this phase:

1. Campaign Launch: Kick off your year-end giving campaign with a bang. Use this time to introduce your campaign’s theme, goals, and impact. Engage your supporters across various communication channels.
2. Engagement Monitoring: Keep a close eye on how your audience is engaging with your content. This early monitoring allows you to identify any issues or roadblocks and address them promptly.
3. Test: Launch A:B testing of your email campaigns so you can determine which theme will do better as you move into crunch time.

November

It’s showtime, your campaign should be in full swing across all channels. In addition to maintaining the momentum, consider leveraging specific events like Giving Tuesday to enhance your fundraising efforts. Here’s what to prioritize during this phase:

1. Giving Tuesday Excellence: Make the most of Giving Tuesday by designing a compelling sub-campaign that resonates with donors. Highlight the urgency of their contributions and showcase the impact they can make.
2. Multi-Channel Consistency: Ensure your campaign’s message remains consistent across all communication platforms. Create synergy between your emails, social media posts, and any other channels you’re using.

December

As the holiday spirit takes over, keep your campaign alive and vibrant. Don’t forget to remind donors of the looming tax deadline for charitable gifts. Here’s what to focus on during this critical month:

1. Consistent Engagement: Maintain a consistent stream of content throughout December. Highlight heartwarming success stories, showcase your organization’s work, and express gratitude to your supporters.
2. Last-Minute Urgency: As December 31st approaches, emphasize the urgency of making year-end donations. Remind your audience that this date is also the tax deadline for charitable contributions, and remember this is the biggest day of giving all year long. SEND SOMETHING TODAY!!!!

January

As the new year dawns, take a moment to reflect on your campaign’s successes and areas for improvement. Use this time to plan for the upcoming year’s fundraising efforts. Here’s what to do during this phase:

1. Say Thank You: One of the most important things you will do is write a handwritten thank you note to every single donor. Make it happen!!
2. Campaign Assessment: Sit down with your team, board of directors, and other stakeholders to review the campaign’s outcomes. Analyze metrics, gather feedback, and identify lessons learned.
3. Future Planning: Start brainstorming your approach for the next year-end giving campaign. Apply the insights gained from the previous year to refine your strategies and identify fundraising priorities.
4. Engage: Get the donors that you just secured involved. Donor loss is a real issue, don’t let that be you.

May and June

As summer returns, it’s time to prepare for another successful year-end giving campaign. Use the insights from the previous year’s assessment to fine-tune your strategies and approach. Here’s what to prioritize during this phase:

1. Strategic Brainstorming: Gather your team and stakeholders to brainstorm fresh ideas for the upcoming campaign. Consider what worked well in the past and explore innovative ways to enhance your efforts.
2. Approval Process: Obtain necessary approvals for your campaign plan. Ensure that everyone is aligned on the goals, messaging, and strategies to execute a seamless campaign.

Take-away: By following this strategic timeline, you’ll be well-equipped to craft a successful year-end giving campaign that engages donors, generates meaningful impact, and propels your organization’s mission forward. Remember, early preparation, consistent engagement, and a thoughtful approach are the keys to achieving fundraising success during the holiday season. If you want to learn more, call me…I would love to come teach a class for your organization.

I get asked about golf tournaments at almost every speaking event I do. (Full disclaimer: I have never used this product before, but it seems like an incredible and affordable solution.) Check it out and let me know if you have positive or negative feedback that I can share!! XO, Bridget

MAKING STRATEGIC DONATION ASKS DURING A GOLF FUNDRAISER

The benefits of a golf fundraiser are many, including being ripe with opportunities to make additional donation asks of participants, spectators, and other supporters before, during, and after the event. While teams and sponsorships will bring in the majority of the fundraiser’s revenue, there are multiple ways to bring in additional dollars by leveraging the generosity of golfers. You certainly don’t want to interrupt the fun of the day, so your asks should be strategic, well-timed, and not intrude on the golfer’s round. The key is to be equipped with a mobile-friendly event website with a simple and easy way to make a donation to the event. 

Here are six things to consider when making a donation ask at your golf tournament.

---

1. CONNECT ATTENDEES TO YOUR CAUSE

While some attendees may be loyal supporters of your organization, they often tap into their personal and professional networks to fill a team for the golf tournament, and these folks may not know much about your organization or what you do. Share an impact story at the tournament’s kickoff or post-event gathering, have a beneficiary on site to share their experiences, and/or set up banners or posters that describe the impact of what your organization does. Follow these up with an ask that helps attendees understand how their donation makes a difference.

Pro tip: Use your event website to tell your organization’s story with text and imagery. GolfStatus event websites include donation buttons right on the site’s home page (and on live leaderboards).

2. USE EMAIL, IN-APP & PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

You need an easy way to get in touch with donors at the right moment during the fundraiser. The right event management technology will have built-in communication tools that let you quickly and easily communicate with event registrants without having to use multiple platforms. Determine when you will send messages and set a schedule for the day. At events powered by GolfStatus, a free live-scoring mobile app is used to track each team’s round. When golfers use their phone to enter their score, they’ll see the in-app and push notifications.

Pro tip: Be strategic about when you send messages. Don’t inundate golfers with emails or notifications or they’ll tune them out. Space them out and consider coupling them with important information and announcements.

3. SET A DAY-OF FUNDRAISING GOAL & KEEP PEOPLE UPDATED

A day-of fundraising goal can motivate donors to make an additional contribution to your cause. A well-timed update on the progress towards this goal reminds folks what they’re playing for. What’s more, when the overall event experience is top-notch, they’re even more likely to chip in to help you reach the day’s goal.

Pro tip: Make the goal something tangible that donors can connect with. For example, set a goal to raise an extra $2000 the day of the tournament, which will provide 10 underserved schools with new books or feed 200 shelter dogs for two months.

4. HAVE A DONATION STATION

Set up a donation station at one or more locations at the golf tournament. It’s a good idea to have one in a visible (but unobtrusive) location near the registration area. Have volunteers at the station ready to talk about your organization and its mission, and help folks make a donation via the event website if they need it. You could also have a station at the turn or somewhere on the golf course. A par three hole that’s likely to get backed up is a great option—you’ll have a captive audience! If your event has a post-golf gathering, set up an additional station in the event space (near the bar is a good idea!).

Pro tip: Include a QR code on any flyers, posters, or handouts that links directly to the event’s donation page so folks can quickly make a contribution without hassle.

5. LEVERAGE LIVE LEADERBOARDS

Anyone, anywhere can follow along with a tournament via GolfStatus live leaderboards. Share these links in the days leading up to the event via email and social media and challenge spectators to make a donation. Be creative and have fun with this! If folks are following a certain team, you could ask them to donate if there’s a birdie, eagle, or even a bogey on a specific hole or offer a prize drawing specifically for online donors.

Pro tip: Give social media shoutouts to those following along that make a donation, and be sure to follow up after the tournament with a thank you.

6. ASK GOLFERS TO DONATE THEIR FINAL SCORE

A common appeal at the end of each team’s round is to ask for a donation that equals their final score. So if they shot a 72, they would donate $72. Another option after the scores are finalized is to ask golfers to donate an amount equal to the winning team’s score—or even the last place team’s score.

Pro tip: If your event includes an awards ceremony, it’s a great time to make this particular ask. When you announce the winning team and score (or multiple teams and scores, if your event includes different flights or divisions), challenge attendees to get out their phones and donate the amount of the winning team’s score via the leaderboard.

---

RAISE MORE MONEY WITH YOUR GOLF EVENT

It’s easy to collect donations when you have the right technology for your golf fundraiser. GolfStatus’s intuitive, full-service golf event management and fundraising platform streamlines the process. Its attractive event websites include online registration, the ability to collect donations, and secure payment processing. Qualifying 501(c) organizations and those holding golf tournaments that benefit one can get full access to GolfStatus’s tech—at no cost through the Golf for Good program. Click the button below to get qualified or email events@golfstatus.org.

We have been in a very positive economic ride since Covid in the fundraising space. A positive economic outlook brings donors to our doors in many cases. With the questionable outlook of our current environment, there are questions about the continued availability of funds from donors. What should nonprofits do?

1. Remain optimistic

Being positive will create opportunity in your organization. Every recession has an end date and some only last for 2 months. Think about what your organization can do to help those impacted. Be the organization sharing good news.

2. Cut expenses to strengthen your cash position

Fundraising during a downturn can be slower. Cut frivolous spending. Take a look at your wants and needs. In my office we are evaluating every penny we spend.

3. Be profitable

Look for events the are profitable and use this time to eliminate outdated or unprofitable activities.

4. Keep in touch.

There are hundreds of new and free tools to help you connect with constituents. They need and want to hear from you now. Let them know that you are serving your clients through these challenges.

5. Ask what else can we do

Are there other things you can be doing? Do you have extra office space you can lease? Do you have expertise in an area you can sell? Do you have team members that would prefer to be part-time? Are there things you can do that will help you accomplish your mission that are not in your mission.

6. Be realistic.

“Scale back ambitious campaigns, but don’t give up on them. To remain competitive in challenging times you must persevere. Remember your mission and vision are not any less significant today. Be sure to keep campaign donors and volunteers in the loop on any goal adjustments to avoid challenges down the road.” Nonprofit Times.

7. Get social.

We all know social media is where people are. Most people check some form of social media daily. Make it a point to share your good works and message in that space. In addition, advertising on social media is very effective and affordable. This is a great way to educate prospective donors and keep in touch with current ones.

8. NO FIRE SALES.

No one wants to donate to an organization that might not be there next month, and no one wants to bail out an organization that is not making good choices. DO NOT ASK YOUR DONORS TO SAVE YOU. Make a strong conservative plan for your organization that allows you to be successful even if this recession lasts for five years. I always say, plan for the worst and pray for the best!

Good luck my friends, we can do this!!

Looking forward to teaching this class in August!

Fundraising Certificate – Fundraising from A to Z – Bridget Brandt

It is still not too late to capitalize on year end giving. If you have done nothing, get those emails ready to send, and if you are mid campaign, take a minute to check out these final tips. This infographic from Mobile Cause is on par!! Happy Giving!!!

It is getting very close to year end giving campaigns. A very important step in that process is recognizing your donors and prospective donors before you begin another ask. Here are a few ideas for how you can say thank you to your donors:

Smaller Donors

For your smaller donors, I recommend a simple thank you note and social media post. I love custom thank you notes, but if you don’t have the budget for it, try something like these. They are super cute, and I love that they come with the envelope stickers. They make the note feel more special which is the entire goal.

Medium Donors

For your medium sized donors try something a little more special. I really love these little scented candles. You can have people on your staff or volunteers deliver them to your donors. They are very affordable, and deliver a very nice message of thanks. The gift is simply a nice leave behind, the important part of your visit is to see that person face to face and say thank you.

Large Donors

Your large donors require a bit more love! I recommend setting up time to meet with them in person to see what their why is for giving to your organization. Once you learn about the why, you can tailor your communications in your year end campaign around that message.

Here are few great ideas for thank yous at this level:

I love all three of these gifts. They are great for volunteers or donors, they have a very long life or they can be shared. My favorite is they journal because you can write a message in it to the person that they will see all year.

The gift is not the most important aspect of this exercise, so don’t get bogged down in choosing. The important part is that contact. Let your donors know that you are thinking about them when you are not asking for dollars. Let them know what is going on with your organization and the good work you have done this year. Let them know why they are important to you!

Share the successes you have had with thank yous below! XO!