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For leaders and ops team members at small to midsize nonprofits to get guidance, uplifting, and resources for nonprofit data, database, and operations.
Ops Insights #053 - Ambassadors Refer Potential Donors
An Ambassador Program is a way to drive referrals of potential donors. Ambassadors have existing relationships and serve as connectors to potential donors they know who care about your nonprofit, such as individuals you serve, friends, or organizations. You can partner with various Ambassadors who pass referrals to your Philanthropy team. Let’s walk through the reasons you want ambassadors, the stages, and ways to track them.
Ops Insights #052 - Reasons to Build Organization-Wide Relationships
Building relationships outside the development office but still within your organization expands fundraising opportunities. The question you want to ask: How do we help those throughout our organization be involved?
Joe, Doug, and I talked about how we help others in the organization understand what we do in philanthropy and what their role can be in the development process. Which, in turn, creates more opportunities for conversations with potential donors. Let’s dive into what it takes.
Ops Insights #051 - 3 Things Donors Do Not Say
3 Things Donors Do Not Say: I gave because you have a clean database. I gave because you have timely reports. I gave because you have streamlined processes. You certainly do not. Rather, you hear donors say: I gave because you made a difference in my life. I gave because I want something changed for the better. I gave because I want to leave a legacy. Let’s talk through how this happens.
Ops Insights #050 - 3 Teaching Techniques that Increase Engagement
This edition is for my Ops peeps who do teaching, training, and mentoring. From teaching how to use the data or database to teaching how to get the computer to work, we get asked many “tech” questions in our roles. For me, this is exciting as teaching is one of my favorite parts of my work.
There's nothing like it to take someone from base level to more advanced to ah-ha light-bulb moments. When I see it finally click and their face lights up, it’s magical. Let’s dive into three teaching techniques to increase engagement.
Ops Insights #049 Get Uncomfortable to Stay Relevant
Think of that moment. The moment where you felt, wow, I nailed it. I nailed it for me, for our team, and for our organization. You pause, take a breath, smile, and say we are better because of it. How long ago was that? Why can’t you make that happen more often?
I’m here to tell you that you can, but you have to be willing to get uncomfortable. This actually is a must-do to stay relevant. Data, tech, and the fundraising landscape changes. If you are still operating the same way you were 5, 10, or 15 years ago, you are outdated. It’s never too late to get curious, lean in, and learn how to adjust, tweak, enhance, and evolve to make things better.
Ops Insights #048 Use History When You Have No Mentor
You are never truly alone unless you choose to be. In the nonprofit sector, there are tons of people who are willing to help. Find a mentor outside of your org if you need to. Find a group, a community, or a tribe to go through the journey with. You should never be alone and there are so many options out there today to lean into.
I am going to walk you through an example of how I took hold of a situation when there was no one to guide me, how I leaned in, and how I succeeded in hopes it can guide you in your journey.
Ops Insights #047 Organize to Ward off Stress
Summer is coming to an end and it’s time to adjust our routines to get back to fall schedules. If you are like me, it’s a time of adjustment, a time to reset your mindset and reclaim some habits that you let go of during the summer months. Let’s talk through what can help get you back into the swing of things.