Tech Solutions:
Nonprofit Communications
and Fundraising
To build credibility, enhance online
communications and fundraising effectiveness
Nonprofit Facts from the National Center for Charitable Statistics
1,571,056 tax-exempt organizations:
• 1,097,689 public charities
• 105,030 private foundations
• 368,337 other types of nonprofit organizations, including
chambers of commerce, fraternal organizations
and civic leagues
• In 2010 nonprofits accounted for 9.2% of all wages and
salaries paid in the United States.
(Source: The Nonprofit Almanac, 2012)
• Nonprofit share of GDP was 5.3% in 2014.
(Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis)
Greenlights | Now Mission Capital | Austin, Texas
“Back in 2009, when Greenlights released the ‘Does Central Texas Have
Too Many Nonprofits?’ report, many were surprised to learn that we
counted 6,000+ nonprofits in our MSA, or more organizations per capita
than any other city in the Southwest.
Even before that report was produced, we … had been talking about the
pros and cons of having so many nonprofits in our community. Our
board, leadership, and team often discuss whether it makes sense not
only to ask nonprofits to consider alliances or mergers with others, but to
actively encourage them to do so.”
How will your nonprofit stand out?
Young organizations and startups frequently
have limited staff and resources!
“Think smart”
Set up centralized online platform “hubs”
Focus your energies on your central credibility-building hubs and polish
Hub #1
Your Website: A “Hub” of Its Own!
• A website is the organization’s “virtual” office
• Sets the tone for the organization’s public image
• Resource for nonprofit information essential to donation decision-making
• Contains mission and basic organizational information with links to tandem platforms
Hub #2
Gmail | Google Drive | YouTube |
Google Photos (Movie, Animations) |
Google+ | Email Platforms
• Gmail account for centralized platform management
• Google Drive houses documents securely in the cloud, easy access, great for
secure sharing and collaborative working
• YouTube is one of the most-used search engines
• Google Photos stores photos, sharing is easy (also consider YouTube Video
Editor, Google Movie and Animations)
Hub #2
continued
Gmail | Google Drive | YouTube | Google Photos (Movie)
Google+ | Email Platforms
• Google is the strongest search engine; information posted on Google+ is
highly “searchable” (important to be present)
• iContact, MailChimp, Constant Contact and others are not “Google”
platforms, but they often house the email addresses found in the
organization’s Gmail account and those can be coordinated (co-managed)
A Few Email Platform Notes
• Email is still one of the best ways to communicate with donors and
constituents on an ongoing basis about events, projects and your
needs for support (donations)
• Email is also a key form of sponsor recognition; many sponsors seek
that opportunity when making funding decisions
• Email platforms help nonprofits comply with federal laws regarding
“spam” (subscribe /unsubscribe any time)
Hub #2 | Google
Gmail
Google Drive & Google Photo
Google+
Other Email
Platforms
YouTube
Hub #3
GuideStar | AmazonSmile | Crowdrise | GreatNonprofits
• GuideStar is world’s largest public information database of nonprofit
organizations
• GuideStar houses tax returns for every nonprofit (no choice)
• Nonprofits of all sizes benefit by fleshing-out their existing profile, and
those with modest or challenged fundraising track records especially can
gain credibility by doing so
GuideStar | AmazonSmile | Crowdrise | GreatNonprofits
• Claiming your GuideStar profile and filling it out fully shows your
organization cares about its public image, that it operates in a professional,
transparent manner
• Media exposes about nonprofits and how they are managed mean the more
transparent organizations are the more likely donors and professional
advisors will have confidence in giving (be open and honest)
• A knowledgeable accountant is worth paying for (tax prep with nonprofit
concerns in mind)
GuideStar | AmazonSmile | Crowdrise | GreatNonprofits
GuideStar partners with other powerful online databases
and platforms helpful to fundraising and establishing credibility …
• AmazonSmile pulls information directly from GuideStar, and once
approved, organizations receive a portion of sales on Amazon
• Crowdrise is both a general donation platform and a crowdfunding
mechanism; it has one of the lowest financial transaction fees
(Network for Good and WePay)
• GreatNonprofits is leading review and testimonial platform, used
often by potential donors deciding whether or not to make a donation
Hub #3 | GuideStar
GuideStar
Amazon
Smile
Crowdrise GreatNonprofits
Hub #4
Social Media like Facebook | Twitter | Instagram and more
• Facebook is essential
• Twitter is favored by those wanting brief but critical information
• Instagram and Pinterest are strong “visual” platforms growing in importance
as visual communications are favored over written
• LinkedIn and other platforms can be helpful to nonprofits - choose based on
their respective strengths and your organization’s style and purpose
Hub #4 | Social Media
Facebook (Top
Priority)
Twitter LinkedIn & More
#1: Your Website
#2: Google Suite & Email
Platform
#3: GuideStar & Partners
#4: Social Media
Advice & Predictions
• If you learn how to use your preferred social media platforms, you will not
need an “auto posting” service (take the time)
• Don’t try to fit the exact same information into each social media platform
and expect readers to think you are “paying attention”
• GuideStar will add more partner platforms to its repertoire
• GuideStar is working to create an easy-to-use online grant application,
whereby key operational data is automatically uploaded into the platform
• The sooner you get onto GuideStar the better!
Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
Website | carolynmappletoninc.com
Gmail | [email protected]
Mobile | 512-954-4477
• I have set-up and managed the platform “hubs” discussed
• With the exception of the email platforms, each platform mentioned
is free of charge to users at the most basic levels
• Thank you!
Resources
GuideStar: http://www.guidestar.org
Idealware: http://www.idealware.org
National Council for Charitable Statistics: http://nccs.urban.org/
NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network: http://www.nten.org/ and NTEN
Online Groups: http://www.nten.org/community/online-groups/
TechSoup and NetSquared: http://www.techsoup.org/ and
http://www.netsquared.org/
Texas Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/nonprofit_org.shtml