Monthly Archives: December 2010

What is Your CVP?

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By Derrick Feldmann

In business, corporations will discuss their Unique Value Proposition (UVP). UVP is the benefit customers receive from purchasing a product or service. For nonprofits, we like to ask about the Community Value Proposition (CVP)?
The CVP is the nonprofit organization’s value it brings to the community and its beneficiaries. Every nonprofit should have a CVP. If your organization did not exist, what would be the consequences in the community? 
There are consequences if your organization is not present in the community delivering services that relate to the mission.   For instance, if you are an environmental organization and if you are not present in the community, what would happen to the neighborhoods that you beautify and preserve? If you are a cancer organization, what would happen to cancer patients if you did not exist? 
Here are some questions to ask yourself regarding your CVP:
  • Does the community understand the value we bring?  
  • Are we consistent with our CVP? 
  • What methods and communication tactics do we use to educate the community about our CVP?

Should You Friend a Donor on Facebook?

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By Derrick Feldmann
 

Yipes. So what do you do in this situation? Some of you already are getting that awkward feeling. Well, here is our analysis of the situation. 

Reasons to Friend a Donor on Facebook
  • You discuss and promote the organization on Facebook and use it as a tool to outreach.
  • The donor can see other people engaged with the cause when they retweet or repost organization content you have placed on your wall.
  • You can show great visuals and content on Facebook and have fans directly comment on the impactful photos. This can help the donor see their investments at work.
Reasons Not to Friend a Donor on Facebook
  • They can see all of your private postings to friends and family. Are you ready for the donor to see your life outside of the organization?
  • Some friend and fan posts are not suitable for the donor audience. Since we cannot control our friends’ comments, we must think about whether or not their posts will be suitable for the non friend audience. 
  • By keeping the lines of professional and social separate, you can maintain a healthy balance of work and play.

So, after putting both the pros and cons out there, we think you should not friend your donors unless you use your Facebook as another dedicated platform you have to communicate your organization’s message.   That means no other uses for your Facebook account except to promote the organization.

So what do you think – Yes or No- Would you friend your donors?

How to Stop the Grinch from Stealing Your Christmas

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By Ryan Brady
Senior Donor Services Advisor for Central Indiana Community Foundation and Giving Sum

 

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot
But the Grinch who lived just North of Whoville did not!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.

It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.

But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

From How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Grinch is trying to steal your Christmas.  Seriously. The Grinch is lurking around just waiting to snatch your Christmas. The Grinch hides behind “Buy 1, Get 2 Free!” signs, in the corners of department stores and roams mall parking lots. The Grinch has stealthily taken on a new identity and just might nab your Christmas if you aren’t careful.

The Grinch has transformed into the Stuff,
And got us to think that we never have enough!

Yes, the Grinch has transformed into the Stuff and is looking to steal the true joy of Christmas from you, your family and our community. Thankfully, our hero Philanthropy (he likes to go by Phil), is here to put the kibosh on the Grinch.

Oh joy! Our friend Phil is here to save the day!
To protect Christmas from the Grinch! To show us the way!

Here are two easy ways that Phil can save your Christmas from the Grinch:

#1: Throw the Grinch a curveball, throw him for a loop, Instead of giving alone, give as a group!

Giving should be a joyous, shared experience. From volunteering with friends to making a giving decision as a family, it feels great to give together. The holidays are a perfect time to give as a group. Organize your family or friends into a quick giving circle. Simply ask everyone to contribute what they can to a common pool of money and then talk about how you can best use the funds to make a difference. Narrow down the ideas and then allow people to vote on where to give. If possible, present the check as a group and volunteer together at the organization.   The true value will come from the conversation together and the shared experience.
And all of you fundraisers out there; too often we ask people to give alone. Rather than just asking for an end-of-the-year contribution, organize a family volunteer experience over the holidays or ask families to consider making a combined gift together.
#2: Phil’s eyes with well with tears. Oh, how they will glisten! If you use Christmas as a time to listen!
The holidays are a great time to ask questions and share stories. Take time to ask those around you what motivates them to be charitable and what difference they hope to make.
  • Have you ever asked your friends or family why they give?
  • Do you know your parent’s first memory of being charitable?

Fundraisers; make sure you are asking those questions to your donors. And be sure to concentrate more on listening than talking when you are meeting with a donor!

With Phil’s help, we can protect Christmas from the Grinch!

While the Grinch’s heart may be two sizes too small, Let’s use Phil to take Christmas back from the mall!