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Why Your Donors Want to Remain Anonymous

When there is a large scale natural disaster, such as the Nepal earthquake, or an event that inspires charitable giving, my media alerts for Network for Good go through the roof. Many donors come to Network for Good’s giving portal to search for nonprofits and quickly make donations online, and reporters often list Network for Good as a way to easily give to charities responding to crises on the ground. We’re proud to facilitate giving to nonprofits across the country, including $1 million in donations for Nepal earthquake relief efforts.In some cases, though, the press also features our giving portal as a good option for donors who wish to remain anonymous. Of course, there are many reasons a donor might want to remain anonymous, but the reason most cited in these articles is because these donors want to avoid getting on a nonprofit’s email list and being “spammed” by the organization, or worse, by other organizations who have purchased the list.

Spotlight

Operation Homefront

Our mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they may thrive --not simply struggle to get by -- in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Through a robust array of valued and life-changing programs that address the specific short-term, critical assistance, long-term stability and recurring family support need they experience, Operation Homefront can help military families overcome many of the challenges inherent in military life. Since inception, we have provided more than $33 million in assistance for military families through our Critical Financial Assistance program. Our housing programs have served hundreds of service members and their families during the critical transition period to civilian life, providing millions in housing support. Our recurring family support programs annually serve thousands of family members, helping at critical times for families such as back to school, the holidays, or welcoming a new member to their family

OTHER ARTICLES
Nonprofit Management

5 Videos That Show Creative Ways to Market Your Nonprofit

Article | July 15, 2022

Video marketing increases brand engagement, reflects your nonprofit brand personality, and informs the public about your impact. The key is to approach your video marketing strategy in a creative way so you can stand out from the crowd. The following five videos are creative examples from which you can draw inspiration, from capturing your audience’s attention to building strong storylines that deliver information in innovative ways. In each example, we’ll dissect some best practices and learnings you can take away in order to level up your own videos.

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Fundraising

4 Challenges that Large Non-profit Organizations Face

Article | July 15, 2022

Large non-profit organisations must frequently overcome extreme challenges in order to stay on track toward achieving their mission and goals. There are currently 1.4 million tax-exempt organisations in the United States alone, so there is no shortage of non-profit organisations competing for resources, financial assistance, and talent. The challenge is exacerbated because a large non-profit (or small non-profit) is expected to make all strategic decisions with its organisational mission in mind. The good news is that a non-profit’s mission can guide them in making the right decisions and overcoming obstacles. Large non-profits face numerous challenges on a daily basis in order to stay on track. These issues include sustainability, donor retention and engagement, finding the right volunteers, and organising internal and external processes. Today, we'll go over these issues in greater depth and offer solutions. How Can Large Non-profits Be Sustainable? Sustainability is critical to a large non-profit’s long-term success. Large non-profit organizations frequently must uphold a recognizable brand and reputation. Developing a strategic plan with sustainability as the foundation starts with an organization's mission and vision. How Can Large Non-profits Keep and Engage Donors? Another issue that large non-profit organizations frequently face is retaining and engaging donors. Did you know that in 2015, 373.25 billion dollars were donated to charitable causes? Large non-profit organizations are tasked with acquiring new donors, engaging their donor base, and retaining valuable relationships. Donor retention rates for offline-only donors are 29%, while online-only donors have a 21% retention rate. Raising these averages by a few percentage points can give a large non-profit organization more reach. How Can a Large Non-profit Find the Right Volunteers? A large non-profit can save a lot of money by identifying and recruiting the right volunteers for the right strategic jobs. According to an Independent Sector study, the average volunteer hour is worth more than $24.00 (2016 data). The value of volunteerism can quickly add up large non-profit organizations that rely heavily on volunteers. Volunteers also provide valuable skill sets to non-profits, which can improve an organization's ability across departments. How Can Large Non-profits Improve Processes? Setting up processes is one of the most important things a large non-profit can do to ensure consistency and control throughout the organization. Every aspect of the organization, including but not limited to fundraising, volunteer coordination, training, strategic engagement, and retention strategies, should have a process in place. Organizations that want to create a road map for success must devote time to strategic planning.

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Nonprofit Management

Nonprofit Success in Times of Crisis

Article | July 20, 2022

In recent weeks all business sectors across America have made significant transitions with their work force and have overcome huge hurdles to their success in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees everywhere are doing their best to meet the goals expected of them in a time of intense uncertainty and rapid change. The nonprofit sector is one industry that has faced unique challenges due to the pandemic.

Read More

3 Secrets to a Successful Nonprofit Digital Transformation

Article | June 22, 2020

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofit digital transformation is no longer a choice. Organizations are now faced with unprecedented challenges and are turning to technology to work remotely, transfer fundraising efforts online, and check in on the vulnerable populations they serve. The technology needed to accomplish this and fulfill your mission is important, but you must put a plan in place to ensure that the people using these technologies can successfully learn the new processes. Whether they’re your internal staff members, volunteers, board members, or your beneficiaries, people must remain at the heart of your nonprofit digital transformation.

Read More
Nonprofit Management

The Advocacy versus the Activist Functions of Non-profits

Article | July 15, 2022

Video marketing increases brand engagement, reflects your nonprofit brand personality, and informs the public about your impact. The key is to approach your video marketing strategy in a creative way so you can stand out from the crowd. The following five videos are creative examples from which you can draw inspiration, from capturing your audience’s attention to building strong storylines that deliver information in innovative ways. In each example, we’ll dissect some best practices and learnings you can take away in order to level up your own videos.

Read More
Fundraising

The Power of Film for Philanthropy

Article | July 15, 2022

Large non-profit organisations must frequently overcome extreme challenges in order to stay on track toward achieving their mission and goals. There are currently 1.4 million tax-exempt organisations in the United States alone, so there is no shortage of non-profit organisations competing for resources, financial assistance, and talent. The challenge is exacerbated because a large non-profit (or small non-profit) is expected to make all strategic decisions with its organisational mission in mind. The good news is that a non-profit’s mission can guide them in making the right decisions and overcoming obstacles. Large non-profits face numerous challenges on a daily basis in order to stay on track. These issues include sustainability, donor retention and engagement, finding the right volunteers, and organising internal and external processes. Today, we'll go over these issues in greater depth and offer solutions. How Can Large Non-profits Be Sustainable? Sustainability is critical to a large non-profit’s long-term success. Large non-profit organizations frequently must uphold a recognizable brand and reputation. Developing a strategic plan with sustainability as the foundation starts with an organization's mission and vision. How Can Large Non-profits Keep and Engage Donors? Another issue that large non-profit organizations frequently face is retaining and engaging donors. Did you know that in 2015, 373.25 billion dollars were donated to charitable causes? Large non-profit organizations are tasked with acquiring new donors, engaging their donor base, and retaining valuable relationships. Donor retention rates for offline-only donors are 29%, while online-only donors have a 21% retention rate. Raising these averages by a few percentage points can give a large non-profit organization more reach. How Can a Large Non-profit Find the Right Volunteers? A large non-profit can save a lot of money by identifying and recruiting the right volunteers for the right strategic jobs. According to an Independent Sector study, the average volunteer hour is worth more than $24.00 (2016 data). The value of volunteerism can quickly add up large non-profit organizations that rely heavily on volunteers. Volunteers also provide valuable skill sets to non-profits, which can improve an organization's ability across departments. How Can Large Non-profits Improve Processes? Setting up processes is one of the most important things a large non-profit can do to ensure consistency and control throughout the organization. Every aspect of the organization, including but not limited to fundraising, volunteer coordination, training, strategic engagement, and retention strategies, should have a process in place. Organizations that want to create a road map for success must devote time to strategic planning.

Read More
Nonprofit Management

What Your Non-profit Should Know About Accepting Cryptocurrency Donations?

Article | July 20, 2022

In recent weeks all business sectors across America have made significant transitions with their work force and have overcome huge hurdles to their success in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees everywhere are doing their best to meet the goals expected of them in a time of intense uncertainty and rapid change. The nonprofit sector is one industry that has faced unique challenges due to the pandemic.

Read More

3 Secrets to a Successful Nonprofit Digital Transformation

Article | June 22, 2020

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofit digital transformation is no longer a choice. Organizations are now faced with unprecedented challenges and are turning to technology to work remotely, transfer fundraising efforts online, and check in on the vulnerable populations they serve. The technology needed to accomplish this and fulfill your mission is important, but you must put a plan in place to ensure that the people using these technologies can successfully learn the new processes. Whether they’re your internal staff members, volunteers, board members, or your beneficiaries, people must remain at the heart of your nonprofit digital transformation.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

Operation Homefront

Our mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they may thrive --not simply struggle to get by -- in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Through a robust array of valued and life-changing programs that address the specific short-term, critical assistance, long-term stability and recurring family support need they experience, Operation Homefront can help military families overcome many of the challenges inherent in military life. Since inception, we have provided more than $33 million in assistance for military families through our Critical Financial Assistance program. Our housing programs have served hundreds of service members and their families during the critical transition period to civilian life, providing millions in housing support. Our recurring family support programs annually serve thousands of family members, helping at critical times for families such as back to school, the holidays, or welcoming a new member to their family

Related News

Nonprofit Technology

Digitunity is Connecting Military Families With Technology

Digitunity | November 14, 2022

Frequent relocation takes a significant toll on military personnel and their families. A lack of technology can make this even more difficult. That's why Digitunity partners with organizations including Tech for Troops, Heroes Deserve Help, The Outlook Foundation, and The Armed Services YMCA, to connect military families, regardless of location, with devices like computers for remote learning and work. The technology gap between those who don't have access to the internet and digital devices versus those who do is referred to as the digital divide. This disparity prevents underserved groups from gaining access to the educational and economic resources that they need. Digitunity is a national nonprofit that bridges the digital divide by connecting technology donors with non-profit organizations serving people in need, including military families and veterans. "On average, military-connected kids attend 6-9 schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. This illustrates how relocation can have a negative impact on military families, Our partnerships with outstanding veterans' organizations in our Digital Opportunity Network put these life-changing devices in the hands of those who need them most. In this age of digital connectedness, we believe no military family member should go without the technology they need. That's why we're thrilled to be fostering collaboration, engaging boots-on-the-ground organizations, and putting in the work to keep these families connected." -Scot Henley, executive director of Digitunity. Military families rely on technology to manage deployment and frequent relocation. Communication with friends and family relies on email, voice, and video calls. Military spouses often work remote jobs to accommodate their frequent moves. Children often need to attend classes and complete homework online. When only the military service member is relocated, a laptop is often the only means of communication between them and their family. One Digitunity partner, The Outlook Foundation, provides computers to deployed service personnel and their stateside families, ensuring family members can communicate with one another and access the services they need. The Armed Services YMCA, another Digitunity partner, specializes in aiding junior enlisted military personnel and their families through social, educational, and recreational programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Many of these programs occur remotely through technology. About Digitunity: Since the 1980s, Digitunity has advanced digital inclusion by connecting donors of technology with organizations serving people in need. Our mission is to ensure everyone who needs a computer has one, along with robust internet connectivity and digital literacy skills.

Read More

Nonprofit Technology

GivingDNA Announces New Features to Help Nonprofits Identify Philanthropic Non-Donors and Crypto Donors

The Giving Block | October 19, 2022

GivingDNA, an all-in-one fundraising analytics, data visualization, and wealth profiling tool, is excited to introduce two new donor sets: philanthropic non-donors and cryptocurrency donors. These opportunity segments are pre-built to analyze your donors' giving behaviors, and then predict who an organization can reliably engage for that next gift, removing the guesswork and identifying prospects who have a tendency to give. The segments are also ready to use, so fundraisers are empowered to act on the new donor sets immediately. One of the newest opportunity segments is an organization's philanthropic non-donors — These constituents are already in your database and are actively supporting other nonprofits, but have yet to give to you. By using this segment, fundraisers can better understand acquisition opportunities already on file and the constituent motivations to better align messaging to resonate with the segment's values and interests. "In today's economic uncertainty, continued acquisition of new donors is just as important as retaining and stewarding the donors we have, The good news is, this segment is prime for conversion as they have familiarity with your organization. By leveraging this segment, you can better understand donor motivations and customize your case to their interests and draft your appeal accordingly." -Ryan Carpenter, Vice President of Client Success at GivingDNA. The second opportunity segment identifies potential cryptocurrency donors so fundraisers can begin stewarding them in a manner relevant to how they give. GivingDNA's unique crypto segment will be a game-changer for the industry, as these essential insights can drive a nonprofit's giving strategy for years to come. For example, fundraisers will determine how many donors use cryptocurrency and whether they should accept crypto donations. They will also identify a new generation of donors poised to give sizable gifts. According to The Giving Block, which provides an ecosystem for crypto donation, one nonprofit found its average crypto gift was $3,000 and its highest was $55,000. "Crypto cannot be ignored anymore, and we want to make it easier for marketers to target and serve those with this asset, This exciting new feature will help fundraisers identify crypto donors already in their files and open channels for those donors to make a greater impact in the organization." -Rebecca Gregory Segovia, General Manager of GivingDNA. The brilliant thing about this new opportunity through GivingDNA is that you don't have to understand crypto in order to receive it as a donation, said Pat Duffy, Co-Founder of The Giving Block. "The Giving Block makes it easy for nonprofits to accept crypto donations and immediately convert the gift to cash. This means that nonprofits have the potential to receive larger gifts and engage a younger donor audience, without having to worry about having an in-depth understanding of crypto. GivingDNA: GivingDNA is the next generation of wealth intelligence + data analytics that uniquely combines your internal data with external insights to inform all areas of your fundraising strategy, from annual fund segmentation to mid/major gift prospecting and portfolio optimization. Fundraisers rely on GivingDNA for real-time data visualization to guide insights and strategy across their entire organization. The Giving Block: Founded in 2018, The Giving Block, a Shift4 company, is turning Crypto Philanthropy into one of the greatest forces for good on the planet by making cryptocurrency fundraising easy for nonprofits while empowering donors to give Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their favorite causes. The Giving Block currently enables more than 1,000 mission-driven organizations, charities, universities, and faith-based organizations of all sizes to accept cryptocurrency donations and helps them maximize their fundraising outcomes with strategic consulting and personal support.

Read More

Fundraising

DipJar Announces DipJar Online, Extending DipJar's Leadership in in-person Fundraising to Online and Mobile Channels

DipJar | June 24, 2022

DipJar, a giving technology platform, announced the Early Access release of DipJar Online, which will enable nonprofit organizations to create goal-driven, campaign-based fundraising initiatives that facilitate multi-channel donor engagement. The new software builds on DipJar's leadership in in-person fundraising to enable more robust and flexible fundraising. New and existing customers can sign up for early access here. DipJar Online builds on DipJar's campaign-focused giving capabilities, providing the ability to run multiple customized campaigns and the ability to access and use donor data more effectively. The result is an integrated approach to online fundraising that is a perfect complement to DipJar's iconic devices, which are in place at more than 5,500 organizations across the United States. DipJar Online is a natural extension of our mission: to make fundraising as easy as possible for our nonprofit customers. DipJar Online allows our non-profit customers to provide donors the same simple and fun experience whether they're donating in-person at the DipJar, using their phone, or online. The initial feedback from testers has been overwhelmingly positive and we're excited to roll it out to our customer base - and beyond." Chris Selland, DipJar CEO "DipJar devices and staff have added so much value to our organization, so we're thrilled to take advantage of DipJar Online during the Early Access program. The devices have been such a fun addition to our events, but DipJar Online will allow us to offer that same experience to our virtual audience," Stephanie Scoletti, MSW, Executive Director, Young Adult Survivors United. Key features of DipJar Online include: Campaign-focused giving that show donors why their donations are needed Goal-driven fundraising that gamifies giving by showing donors the immediate impact of their donation Multiple campaigns provide the flexibility to fundraise for a number of initiatives at once Integration with DipJar devices extends campaigns beyond a physical location and counts contributions made via DipJars or DipJar online toward the same goal Enhanced donor data collection that fuels closer donor connections and support Affordable pricing "By necessity, fundraising has become a more flexible function for most nonprofits," said Selland, "and by pairing robust online and offline capabilities, DipJar is helping thousands of organizations - and the communities they serve." About DipJar DipJar is changing the fundraising game with a connected, cashless donation jar and an integrated payments platform that enables joyful, engaging, and frictionless giving. With DipJar, organizations of any size can collect donations anywhere and "Create More Giving Moments."

Read More

Nonprofit Technology

Digitunity is Connecting Military Families With Technology

Digitunity | November 14, 2022

Frequent relocation takes a significant toll on military personnel and their families. A lack of technology can make this even more difficult. That's why Digitunity partners with organizations including Tech for Troops, Heroes Deserve Help, The Outlook Foundation, and The Armed Services YMCA, to connect military families, regardless of location, with devices like computers for remote learning and work. The technology gap between those who don't have access to the internet and digital devices versus those who do is referred to as the digital divide. This disparity prevents underserved groups from gaining access to the educational and economic resources that they need. Digitunity is a national nonprofit that bridges the digital divide by connecting technology donors with non-profit organizations serving people in need, including military families and veterans. "On average, military-connected kids attend 6-9 schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. This illustrates how relocation can have a negative impact on military families, Our partnerships with outstanding veterans' organizations in our Digital Opportunity Network put these life-changing devices in the hands of those who need them most. In this age of digital connectedness, we believe no military family member should go without the technology they need. That's why we're thrilled to be fostering collaboration, engaging boots-on-the-ground organizations, and putting in the work to keep these families connected." -Scot Henley, executive director of Digitunity. Military families rely on technology to manage deployment and frequent relocation. Communication with friends and family relies on email, voice, and video calls. Military spouses often work remote jobs to accommodate their frequent moves. Children often need to attend classes and complete homework online. When only the military service member is relocated, a laptop is often the only means of communication between them and their family. One Digitunity partner, The Outlook Foundation, provides computers to deployed service personnel and their stateside families, ensuring family members can communicate with one another and access the services they need. The Armed Services YMCA, another Digitunity partner, specializes in aiding junior enlisted military personnel and their families through social, educational, and recreational programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Many of these programs occur remotely through technology. About Digitunity: Since the 1980s, Digitunity has advanced digital inclusion by connecting donors of technology with organizations serving people in need. Our mission is to ensure everyone who needs a computer has one, along with robust internet connectivity and digital literacy skills.

Read More

Nonprofit Technology

GivingDNA Announces New Features to Help Nonprofits Identify Philanthropic Non-Donors and Crypto Donors

The Giving Block | October 19, 2022

GivingDNA, an all-in-one fundraising analytics, data visualization, and wealth profiling tool, is excited to introduce two new donor sets: philanthropic non-donors and cryptocurrency donors. These opportunity segments are pre-built to analyze your donors' giving behaviors, and then predict who an organization can reliably engage for that next gift, removing the guesswork and identifying prospects who have a tendency to give. The segments are also ready to use, so fundraisers are empowered to act on the new donor sets immediately. One of the newest opportunity segments is an organization's philanthropic non-donors — These constituents are already in your database and are actively supporting other nonprofits, but have yet to give to you. By using this segment, fundraisers can better understand acquisition opportunities already on file and the constituent motivations to better align messaging to resonate with the segment's values and interests. "In today's economic uncertainty, continued acquisition of new donors is just as important as retaining and stewarding the donors we have, The good news is, this segment is prime for conversion as they have familiarity with your organization. By leveraging this segment, you can better understand donor motivations and customize your case to their interests and draft your appeal accordingly." -Ryan Carpenter, Vice President of Client Success at GivingDNA. The second opportunity segment identifies potential cryptocurrency donors so fundraisers can begin stewarding them in a manner relevant to how they give. GivingDNA's unique crypto segment will be a game-changer for the industry, as these essential insights can drive a nonprofit's giving strategy for years to come. For example, fundraisers will determine how many donors use cryptocurrency and whether they should accept crypto donations. They will also identify a new generation of donors poised to give sizable gifts. According to The Giving Block, which provides an ecosystem for crypto donation, one nonprofit found its average crypto gift was $3,000 and its highest was $55,000. "Crypto cannot be ignored anymore, and we want to make it easier for marketers to target and serve those with this asset, This exciting new feature will help fundraisers identify crypto donors already in their files and open channels for those donors to make a greater impact in the organization." -Rebecca Gregory Segovia, General Manager of GivingDNA. The brilliant thing about this new opportunity through GivingDNA is that you don't have to understand crypto in order to receive it as a donation, said Pat Duffy, Co-Founder of The Giving Block. "The Giving Block makes it easy for nonprofits to accept crypto donations and immediately convert the gift to cash. This means that nonprofits have the potential to receive larger gifts and engage a younger donor audience, without having to worry about having an in-depth understanding of crypto. GivingDNA: GivingDNA is the next generation of wealth intelligence + data analytics that uniquely combines your internal data with external insights to inform all areas of your fundraising strategy, from annual fund segmentation to mid/major gift prospecting and portfolio optimization. Fundraisers rely on GivingDNA for real-time data visualization to guide insights and strategy across their entire organization. The Giving Block: Founded in 2018, The Giving Block, a Shift4 company, is turning Crypto Philanthropy into one of the greatest forces for good on the planet by making cryptocurrency fundraising easy for nonprofits while empowering donors to give Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their favorite causes. The Giving Block currently enables more than 1,000 mission-driven organizations, charities, universities, and faith-based organizations of all sizes to accept cryptocurrency donations and helps them maximize their fundraising outcomes with strategic consulting and personal support.

Read More

Fundraising

DipJar Announces DipJar Online, Extending DipJar's Leadership in in-person Fundraising to Online and Mobile Channels

DipJar | June 24, 2022

DipJar, a giving technology platform, announced the Early Access release of DipJar Online, which will enable nonprofit organizations to create goal-driven, campaign-based fundraising initiatives that facilitate multi-channel donor engagement. The new software builds on DipJar's leadership in in-person fundraising to enable more robust and flexible fundraising. New and existing customers can sign up for early access here. DipJar Online builds on DipJar's campaign-focused giving capabilities, providing the ability to run multiple customized campaigns and the ability to access and use donor data more effectively. The result is an integrated approach to online fundraising that is a perfect complement to DipJar's iconic devices, which are in place at more than 5,500 organizations across the United States. DipJar Online is a natural extension of our mission: to make fundraising as easy as possible for our nonprofit customers. DipJar Online allows our non-profit customers to provide donors the same simple and fun experience whether they're donating in-person at the DipJar, using their phone, or online. The initial feedback from testers has been overwhelmingly positive and we're excited to roll it out to our customer base - and beyond." Chris Selland, DipJar CEO "DipJar devices and staff have added so much value to our organization, so we're thrilled to take advantage of DipJar Online during the Early Access program. The devices have been such a fun addition to our events, but DipJar Online will allow us to offer that same experience to our virtual audience," Stephanie Scoletti, MSW, Executive Director, Young Adult Survivors United. Key features of DipJar Online include: Campaign-focused giving that show donors why their donations are needed Goal-driven fundraising that gamifies giving by showing donors the immediate impact of their donation Multiple campaigns provide the flexibility to fundraise for a number of initiatives at once Integration with DipJar devices extends campaigns beyond a physical location and counts contributions made via DipJars or DipJar online toward the same goal Enhanced donor data collection that fuels closer donor connections and support Affordable pricing "By necessity, fundraising has become a more flexible function for most nonprofits," said Selland, "and by pairing robust online and offline capabilities, DipJar is helping thousands of organizations - and the communities they serve." About DipJar DipJar is changing the fundraising game with a connected, cashless donation jar and an integrated payments platform that enables joyful, engaging, and frictionless giving. With DipJar, organizations of any size can collect donations anywhere and "Create More Giving Moments."

Read More

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