Hello friends! As many of you know, I am passionate about empowering people to take action and create the change they want to see in the world. Creating collaboration around causes that serve others lights me up. We are at a point in time, where the divisions that separate us seem to be amplified. The focus seems to be on our differences instead of what unites us. I'd like to empower you all to change that. 

I invite you to intentionally choose another perspective. A perspective of connection, building community and collaboration around equity and the service of others. 

Never was there a better time to get really clear about what matters to you, and find others that share that same passion. Here are three ways to explore collaboration and collective impact: 

1. Choose to surround yourself with people who care about creating the change you wish to see.  On an individual level, this is about being really intentional about the organizations that you give...

The most effective corporate partnerships - which in the context of fundraising means the most lucrative - are those that are mutually beneficial.  Both the not-for-profit and for-profit businesses are invested in the success of the other. 

Are you truly invested in the success of your corporate partners?

There are SO many benefits for both organizations when a true partnership is forged. 

Here are just a few...

For-Profit Benefits:

1. Increased sales
2. Increased employee engagement
3. Decreased employee turnover
4. Increased Visibility
5. Recognition for the good they do in the world

Not-for-Proft Benefits:

1. Increased funding
2. Expanded donor base
3. Professional development for employees
4. Increased visibility
5. New volunteers and/or board members

How are you helping your corporate partners achieve these benefits? 

A few ideas...

• Get your partners in front of your donors! If you've selected your partners intentionally, based on the alignment of values, you can...

Did you know that 65% of new donors never make a second gift? And after five appeals we are down to only 10% retention. This has a tremendous effect on our ability to generate a consistent flow of revenue for our nonprofit organizations. 

Why are we losing so many donors who were inspired enough to give a first-time gift? The answer is simple. We aren't giving them what they need! Donors desire three things after giving an initial gift and before giving a second. When we provide these three things, we move them from one time donors to engaged, committed investors in our organizations.

Research indicates that the following three actions highly influence a donors inclination to give a second gift:

• A prompt and genuine thank you for each gift - regardless of the value.
• Assigning the donation to a specific project or program.
• Informing the donors about how their gift created impact - specific to the assigned project or program.

When these three activities take place PRIOR...

Although fundraising and development go hand-in-hand, they are not one and the same. Each supports the other in building sustainable revenue for nonprofit and social impact organizations. 

How are they different? When talking about funding nonprofits, we primarily use the word fundraising. But most of work falls in the development category.  Here is an easy way to discern the difference:

fundraising = transactional

development = relational

Fundraising describes an activity that is transactional in nature. The focus is on immediate solicitation - The ‘ask’ or as I like to say, The Invitation.

Development on the other hand, is the building and nurturing of life-long relationships between the donor and the organization that results in revenue through donations AND advocacy in the community on your organization’s behalf. These relationships are cultivated and nurtured based on education, curiosity and attentive stewardship AND include solicitation - but on...