Two New Posts on Sponsorship and Fundraising
I'm blogging abroad this week with two great posts on two great websites - Wild Apricot and Network for Good! The first is on sponsorship and the second is on fundraising - specifically donation boxes.
Getting Started with Sponsor Partnerships
This week I'm guest posting at WildApricot.com, which offers a web-based software for small associations and non-profits to help manage membership, website, events and other activities. This long post is all about finding and recruiting corporate sponsors - something I know every nonprofit is interested in!
Here's an Excerpt
“I’ve been selling sponsorships - or helping others sell theirs - for longer than I care to admit. This is good news for you because just about every nonprofit sells - or should be selling - sponsorships.
Sponsorship is a great source of additional revenue and contacts. It can also be a driver of individual giving, the most lucrative piece of the philanthropic pie.
My goal here is to give you more than the sponsorship 101 stuff you find on most sites. This will be an advanced placement course in identifying, selling and closing sponsorships.”
What You'll Learn
- What exactly is sponsorship and how it differs from other kinds of giving.
- How to look within your organization for opportunity and prospects - instead of blindly chasing random prospects.
- How to identify, track and communicate with prospects by phone and email. I'll also review the three types of decision makers and how best to pitch them.
- Selling sponsorships sometimes involves public speaking or a presentation. I'll show you how to speak effectively without letting your nerves get the best of you.
- Lastly, I'll give you some tips on closing the deal and landing that new sponsor!
What Nonprofits Can Learn from Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Note: This week I'm guest posting at Network for Good, an online fundraising platform for charities and non-profit organizations. Bell ringers have a lot to teach us about reaching donors and raising money!
Here's an Excerpt
“I’ve always admired The Salvation Army bell ringers. In addition to donating their time and ringing their signature bell in all sorts of terrible weather, the program raises a sack of money that rivals Santa’s. Last year, kettle bells raised $136 million nationally for The Salvation Army’s mission, which includes food, shelter, addiction recovery assistance, after-school programs and many other services for the needy.
The secret to The Salvation Army’s success isn’t a secret at all - or a complicated fundraising strategy. They have an iconic brand that resonates with people during the holidays, and they work their butts off in December to raise as much money as possible with kettle bells.
If you’re a nonprofit and want to stop reading now you should remember that brand and hustle matter. But bell ringers can teach you a lot if you’ll only take a moment to stop and learn instead of hurrying by.”
What You'll Learn
- 3 lesssons from red kettle bell ringers.
- What are you waiting for? Start your own kettle fundraiser!
