How do your Board Members Feel about Fundraising?

August 6th, 2010

An interesting thread from the LinkedIn Group
On Fundraising, Hosted by AFP

How to convince a board to have a role in fundraising
I have an interesting situation: a board who believes fundraising is virtually entirely the job of the development staff (me, in this case).

Not to shirk a role in fundraising but would you have any advice on responding to a board who is vehement about their position and offended (so far) by my overtures to convince them that a board has great responsibility for fundraising?

Ron Mills • hi Scott, interesting scenario. Our board runs virtually all our fundraising events as we otherwise need to pay staff overtime to be there on weekends/weeknights. We, the board, are generally accountable for getting community buy-in, whether it be foursomes for our golf event, participants for our trivia night or prize/monetary donations. The agency staff plays a very minimal role as we have a small office and no fund development staff. All that said, it surely doesn’t answer your question. I’m involved with other NPOs that have “policy only” boards which sounds like your situation. In those cases the staff at the organization is significantly larger with a dedicated fund dev role and sometimes support staff. In this scenario I can understand the “policy only” board to a certain extent but realistically a board generally represents local business and therefore has great contacts for all “things” benefiting fundraising efforts. Still haven’t answered your question … hmm. I guess I wasted your time as I don’t have a good answer other than to tell them you know Ron, VP of a board and he fundraises.. along with all other board members.

Maybe baby-steps; do they solicit friends/business acquaintances for items that can help fundraising efforts?

Andrew Olsen, CFRE • You’re not going to change them if they don’t want to change. Especially if fundraising was not a clearly set expectation when they accepted their seats on the board.

Does your organization have board term limits? My suggestion is to quickly cycle them out and when you recruit new members, recruit specifically for ability / willingness to raise funds. And make it a part of the job description from now on.

Let me clarify - if they bring other value to the organization by being on your board, then you may want to just accept that they won’t raise $. If they are well known in the community and can draw donors (cash or GIK) to the org, get you free media, etc., then keep them even if they won’t raise $ for you. If they’re willing to make introductions to individuals or companies that you can then solicit, they’re worth keeping on as well.

But if they object to raising money and won’t use their personal or business networks to help meet the organization’s goals, then I would suggest finding other ways (outside a board seat) that they might play a role in your org.

Anne Smith • I would bring in an outside consultant for a day to speak to your board. Someone who is respected in their circles, perhaps even someone you can get recommended to add to the agenda by someone on your board rather than staff leading the charge. OR have a “like” organization who has successfully engaged the board in fundraising to share their strategy and outcomes with your board (or with you to present to the board).

I think education is the only way to turn the culture around. Peer pressure is helpful but education first. As new board members are brought on, they should be clear on their roles and responsibilities. If the new board members are already hip to the idea of fundraising (do it for other boards, etc) then they will become the natural influence that begins to shift the board.

Doug Wagner • Part of the answer may lie in the financial position of your non-profit. If you are in a good position, your board may think their efforts aren’t necessary. However, if you are in a less-than-good position, this may be your opportunity to get them to talk about their fiscal, financial and fiduciary responsibilities. I think Anne has some good points…but isn’t it sad when you have to bring in an expert to be an expert on your organization?

Using a “Board Member Job Description” is a good idea, and fostering a sense of responsibility from the chair and members of the Fundraising or Development Committee is necessary.

Jane B. Ford • I heartily concur with Anne’s comments. It is nearly impossible for staff to change the mind of a nongiving board. When I work with groups like this, the first thing we do is have a board workshop on the generally accepted roles and responsibilities of board members. Of course, one of the main responsibilities is giving the money. Often these boards have been willing to to a follow up session called the “GIving Game” which opens their minds to attitudes towards giving and often leads to positive changes, over a period of time.

I also like the idea of working with a board member so that the request for education comes from the board, not the staff.

Good luck!

Katie Stratton • I agree with much of what was said by all the individuals listed here specifically that this is a great opportunity for the education of the board. If you look at organizations who are the most successful in their fundraising efforts they are often staff-driven, volunteer-assisted. Yes, it is your job to fundraise - it is what you were hired to do, but you can make the case to your board that anyone working alone is never as strong as they are working as a part of a team.

I use the analogy of a hand. As the development professional, if I am out there on my own raising money, I’m like one finger of a hand. I can poke at things, but it isn’t easy to pick anything up with just one finger. When I have at least one volunteer partner who is a board member or loyal donor it’s like all of a sudden my thumb comes into play and I can start to pick things up. The more involvement you receive from board members and other volunteers, the greater the ability of using your whole hand.

Asking board members to build their comfort level by helping to make introductions and be a part of the fundraising process (by partnering with you and talking about why they volunteer with the organization) is always a step in the direction toward helping them gain comfort with the idea of fundraising.

Best of luck!

Denise K. • I was previously in this situation as Executive Director of an organization. As an interfaith non-profit, the board was comprised of individuals appointed by our supporting churches. They were kind and caring but had no idea what being an active board member entailed. In line with the recommendations above, I started talking more about the organization’s financial challenges at each board meeting. I invited a consultant to come in and give a one hour overview on the fundamentals of board of director roles and responsibilities. (A staff member from our local United Way did this for free.)

I introduced the “consultant” topic based on the fact that we had a number of new board members. (I think this is better received coming from the ED.) I also discussed the giving climate and emphasized the fact that we needed everyone to act as ambassadors of the organization. We talked about practicing a one minute elevator pitch to raise awareness of the agency’s work and mission, and developed a monthly open house where board members could begin to invite people to see inside the organization.

As stated by others, I also took strides to attract new board members who were actively engaged and had more community contacts. As new members came on board, the executive team and active board members did more to orient board candidates to expectations, time commitment, etc.

Some results I experienced: 1) As the board composition and culture changed the board began sponsoring and staffing an annual fundraising gala–a huge event held at a prestigious club with entertainment provided by our city’s opera house. I left the organization a few years ago, but as of last year the event was still being held annually. 2) Some board members became more involved in generating in-kind donations and developed an “Adopt a Room” program for one of our shelter sites. 3) the active members resigned as the culture changed and they saw that just filling a chair did not meet the requirements of the position.

Dawn Svenson Holland • I’d strongly recommend you and your ED read Gail Perry’s “Fired Up Fundraising.” It helps break through the clutter and presents a ton of ideas to get to the heart of the unique issues faced by the composition of your board team.

Deborah Miller • When I came to my organization, the majority of the board was not involved in the fundraising process. I have been trying to gradually change that. First, if you have only one board member who would like to get involved in the process, start with that person. My chair of our resource development committee very much believes in the fundraising process so I have been using him to convey information to board members — peer to peer. I have also been trying to show the board members that there are numerous ways to be involved in the fundraising process besides soliciting gifts — making thank you calls, opening doors, sitting in on foundation site visits, etc.

We never seem to be able to get our entire board involved in the process, but little by little more of them are getting involved. In addition, I do sit in on meetings recruiting new board members, so I try to convey to potential board members that fundraising is part of their responsibility as a board member. Next on my to - do’s with the board is to send occasional articles about fundraising. Some of them will read these, many may not, but our board is a work in progress!

Susan Detwiler • I concur with most of everything that’s already been said. I also think the language and emphasis needs to change. The purpose of a board of directors is not to raise money. It is to ensure the viability of the organization to fulfill its mission, not just now, but in the future. If you start with that, then it’s hard for them to disagree. Then the ED, Board Prez or consultant (not development staff), generates a discussion of what does it take to ensure the viability of the organization. Invariably, somewhere on that list is resources — all kinds of resources: human, facility, good will, and money. That’s when the discussion of the board’s role in generating the resources can begin. But now it’s THEIR idea. Good luck!

Claire Kerr • If everyone on your board believes fundamentally that it’s not their job to fundraise, that idea is unlikely to be shaken no matter how much good material, books or inspirational thoughts you present them with. I agree with those who say you’ll have trouble changing that culture.

Groups do take the shape of their leader. If you can convince one big influencer and set him or her in motion it’s possible you can get them to motivate others.

I find that boards are often influenced by specific examples from similar, local or competing orgs. This has probably worked to your disadvantage before with “Why don’t we do X, org Y does X..!” Now use it to your advantage.

I suggest digging out some case studies on “board-walks” or other fundraising programs that local or rival groups are doing in your area to engage their leaders. Seeing their peers (often in their own network) getting involved (getting press) to raise money directly might help you change attitudes.

Tough sell!! That you describe them as “offended” by your suggestions doesn’t sound good. When you bring new members in for the future you can make your expectations clear but good luck with this group.

Claire Kerr • I also wanted to share this blog post from Allison Jones about board membership for Gen Y leaders, some interesting insights from young people about service:

http://www.allisonj.org/2010/06/04/recap-ynpchat-the-importance-of-board-service-for-young-nonprofit-professionals/

I’m the one who posted: Don’t sit on a board if you aren’t willing to fundraise — Don’t be THAT board member. :-D

Scott Evans • Wonderful comments, everyone. Thank you very much for your time and attention to my situation. Best to all, Scott

Diane C. Hill • I also recommend the book by Gail Perry and part of the AFP Fund Development series: Fired-Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion Into Action. I discovered it last year at the DC Foundation Center library, and it is so “spot on” that I just had to buy a copy. An easy read and full of practical tips — including a good read for your board chair and ED. Link at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fired-Up-Fundraising-Passion-Action-Development/dp/0470116633/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280986279&sr=1-1 . Good luck!

David Nidus • Hi Scott,

Lots of good advice so far — My two cents:

Your mission is compelling, and folks are likely on the board for a reason. Can you pull them back in to offering the help you need by explaining how each dollar raised will tie into that many more patients saved, etd.?

If you have any champions on the board on this issue, think of making them your task-force…they can gradually get broader based board activity.

Think also about what you are asking them to do. Is it very directed? (Clarity my temper any fears) Are you giving them the support so that their time/name/whatever is used as effectively as possible? Are you making it sound easy enough? Find their comfort level by giving them something at first that requires no work/no leaning on friends…etc…Maybe get one member to host an “information session/cocktail hour” for !0 friends at which no donations will be accepted — the argument being, you hang out with your friends anyhow, and why not share with them what you do/devote time to so they can know you better. You can be there to “help” — perhaps coordinate a 10 minute presentation from a young person who is being helped….and have a sign up list for people who are interested in learning more (receiving development contact). If anything pans out about it crow about what the board member has contributed. If this sounds too intense for them, you may want to think of another easy lift for them which will create the “warm mushies” and engender further effort.

You may also want to use foundations to “inform” them of expectations. In my arena, I’ve worked with several foundations who won’t even come to a site visit unless you promise them board members. Others wont give w.o 100% board giving….etc…If a foundation says it in black and white… you might be able to bring some folks around to reality. By the way, I accessed your 2008 Annual Report and saw a rich “Advisory Board” including several “philanthropists” — could they “advise” the board (perhaps at a board meeting as part of a training activity) on the expected standard? (Of course be careful here … these may be more honored donors than “advisers” and if you feel a philanthropist is going to get so turned off by your board’s attitude that they stop interacting or giving… you’d want to find another resource to use). Best of luck.

Randy Johnson • One of my mentors has used the 3 W’s to describe board participation - Wealth, Wisdom, Work. Take a look at your board and determine who is there to garner better access to wealth, who should you rely on for insight and strategy, and who will be willing to volunteer and do the nitty-gritty. Perhaps starting there would give value to all board members and smooth the tensions. Long term - change the culture as described by the others with clear expectations (board member job description), definition of terms - what does fundraising mean to a board member, and set target goals connected to mission and strategic plan of your organization. Build the compelling reason for fundraising. If the board doesn’t feel it, will the community?

Andrea Granieri • @Andrew: Board members who bring their sphere of influence with them–for the GIK, cash, or media attention you talked about–that IS fundraising!!

@Scott: I have heard that at our organization, it used to be that board members were not expected to fundraise. It’s a very difficult expectation to change, and we’re still working on it!

Something that hasn’t been mentioned, but has been helpful for us, is defining what it really means to fundraise. People tend to have this misconception that they’ll be running around beggin their friends for money all the time. In reality, fundraising can be making a “thank you” phone call, helping to strengthen a relationship between the organization and the donor, inviting someone for a tour, having a prospect over for dinner, etc. Get them started with FRIEND-raising!! It really is just one baby step short of making the ask.

Also, it has been our organization’s experience, that boards listen to a third party. I have sat at meetings and have said something, and no one pays attention. 5 minutes later, someone from outside the organization says it, and everyone jumps on it like it’s the best idea ever. I wish it weren’t the case, but an “expert” really works!

Lou Cartier • Having worked closely with boards and spoken on this topic several times, I’d suggest you draw energy from the bright side - your board addresses the issue of their responsibilities for resource development! Too often, the ED or board chair lack the wits or the courage to push the issue. And when she does, one or two very loud voices push back … and the “moderates” (educable) sit on their hands.

My advice is to break the topic down into bight-size components that may be more palatable: ask who will help you refine the case for giving, major gift prospect pool, fundraising calendar, ad hoc strategy for a handful of important personal calls, etc., etc. Take what you get and build on it. Hang in there, Scott. Please, I want to hear about any breakthroughs, however small.

Andrea Kihlstedt • What an excellent conversation. I agree with most of what’s been said, but to be a bit provocative, Scott…in some way your board is right! It is your job to shape and organize and support the fundraising program in a way that engages them in various ways they might help.

It’s a very rare board that doesn’t need the smart and strategic guidance from a staff member to function effectively in fundraising. So stop pushing them to fundraise and start asking them to do one thing and then another and then another. They may fundraising despite themselves.

You also might take a look at the Asking Matters website to see if you can find some helpful videos or articles or blogs that might be of interest to your board members. We find that most board members are interested in knowing about their personal Asking Styles and they can find that out on the Asking Matters site.

American Red Cross and others standing by to support Chile after earthquake

February 27th, 2010

As the first waves from the tsunami triggered by the massive earthquake in Chile have now reached U.S. soil, both the U.S. government and non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross have pledged their support and are standing by waiting to assist the Chilean government if asked.

For those looking for a loved one in one of the regions impacted by the disaster, the Red Cross asks you to submit inquiries through their Safe and Well List. Lots of updates on the quake and the potential after effects spreading along the Pacific Coast are available on Twitter by following @RedCross, @breakingnews@cnn and others.

A video update from Tracy Reines of the American Red Cross’ International Response Operation Center is below.

Phelophepa Train of Hope provides medical care to South Africa, high school students create film

February 18th, 2010

Each year, the Phelophepa Train of Hope travels the length of South Africa for 37 weeks to provide critical medical care to 45,000 people who would otherwise never see a doctor. The train covers more than 9500 miles of railroad a year, serves 250 meals a day and issues 24,000 prescriptions. Last year, three high school students traveled to spend a week with the train, and produced a film about the train that has now been endorsed by leaders such as Reverend Desmond Tutu and recently won the Accolade Award at the 2010 Accolade Film Festival.

We interviewed two of the students (both named Arabella), who graciously took time out from their studies to share their story with us:

Q: Tell us a little bit about your story… How did you become involved with this project and what inspired you to make the Train of Hope Film?

A: (Arabella Weston-Smith) In April last year, my mom’s good friend from Africa told my mom about the Phelophepa Train. Our friend, Jenny Newman, knew that I was interested in making a film during the coming summer so she told us about the train and how to get in contact with the people who ran it. When I found out about the train, I thought it would be a really great idea to make a movie about it because not only did they need an updated fundraising movie, but I also just really wanted to help to create awareness for the train. So soon after my mom and I decided that we wanted to make a movie for the train, I asked my friend Arabella Watters to come with us, and my mom’s friend’s son Jason Vietch decided to come too. We thought the train was a great cause and we wanted to help it get the publicity it deserves and also help it raise the money for a second train.

Q: Tell us in your own words what the Train of Hope means to you and why it’s important?

A: (Arabella Weston-Smith) The train means a lot to me because after being with it first hand for a week, I really experienced something life changing. Being with the people who live in poverty and despair everyday, the people who rely on the train as their source for hope, made me look at life from a different, more humble, perspective. It was a shocking reality check for me as a privileged American teenager to really learn about a completely different side of the world. The train is really important because it gives everyone who comes full attention and helps to treat them in any way they can. Not only do they help the people with medical problems, but they also give emotional support and form bonds with all the people they help.

Q: What challenges did you face along your journey to raise money and awareness for the Phelophepa Train and how have you been able to overcome them?

A: (Arabella Weston-Smith) Well when we first started fundraising, we raised quite a lot of money pretty fast from our first round of emails to everyone we knew. Recently, because of the flim festival I think, we have had some more donations, but for a little bit we were struggling to raise money. In order to keep sending money to the train, Arabella and I started organizing bake sales at my school and garage sales with our “Laguna Blanca Phelophepa Club. ” We have kept a steady flow of the weekly sales coming in and therefore were able to overcome the slight drop in donations.

Q: You are well on your way to raising $10,000 to support your cause. Once you are able to raise the full $10,000, what will that money be able to provide those in need through the Phelophepa Train?

A: (Arabella Watters) The $10,000 we are hoping to raise is going to towards the Transnet’s project of building a second train in order to cover more ground and reach more people during the year.

Q: How have you been able to leverage social media and online donations to drive awareness and fundraising? How were you able to balance promoting through these different channels with such limited time and resources available?

A: (Arabella Watters) Our website has really been a huge facilitator in getting our message across, but Givezooks! has been the engine that has made our fund-raising possible. The accessibility of Givezooks! directly from the website, the widget, the vivid graphics and the ease it takes people to find the donations page has really been fundamental in getting people to donate. Additionally, we have also promoted more awareness by starting a club for the Phelophepa, promoting the train at our school. We also have a Facebook page with hundreds of friends, and are Tweeting too. I think the biggest way which we can promote both the film and the train is simply by word of mouth, online and offline, getting people to talk to others about our project to each other is what really gets the word out and helps our fundraising.

Q: What has been the most successful part of your fundraising campaign (i.e. social media campaigns, online donations, film screenings, promoting through schools or other organizations)?

A: (Arabella Watters) The majority of our donations have been collected online from our website, and handled by Givezooks!. People like the ease with which they can donate by credit card, check or even gift cards. For us the fact that all correspondence is automatically sent out and tracked is a huge help. Offline, I think the most successful campaign which Arabella and I have completed singularly was a garage sale which we had last weekend, selling our old clothes and books. We were able to make nearly $250; every dollar we earn goes further towards our ultimate goal. So far we have raised $5,000, half of our target.

Q: Do you have any advice you would like to share with other causes who would like to spread awareness and make a large impact?

A: (Arabella Weston-Smith) I think that it’s really important to just keep working, and most importantly, to not forget what you’re working towards. Although fundraising to make a large impact can seem intimidating, it all starts with ideas. Even the little things like weekly bake sales will add up. Spreading awareness through everyone you know in every country. I think that people should always remember that if they truly feel strongly about what they’re supporting, then they shouldn’t hesitate at all to work their hardest towards helping what they believe in.

Through their grassroots campaigns, online and off, the students have raised $5,000, exactly half their goal. With a little more help, they can raise enough money to get a second train up and running and help others in need of this critical assistance. Learn more about the cause and their film “Phelophepa, Train of Hope” below.

learn more

A Dream to Rebuild New Orleans: Young High School Teacher Raises Over $1 Million to Build a Field of Dreams in the 9th Ward

February 11th, 2010

Nearly 5 years after Hurricane Katrina decimated the city of New Orleans, the city is getting a boost of hope from a project started by a teacher at George Washington Carver High School. 

Fresh out of college, the now 24 year-old Brian Bordainick joined Teach for America to help make a difference for kids growing up in the inner-city. When he showed up for his first day at G.W. Carver High School, he didn’t see a school - just eight trailers in the parking lot of an abandoned school. 

Shortly after starting at G.W. Carver, Bordainick was asked to step in as the school’s athletic director - and become the youngest athletic director in Louisiana history. Hoping to help reshape a program that was once great (the football program won multiple district championships and has an alumni roster including NFL-great Marshall Faulk), Bordainick faced many challenges as the school did not have resources to support the program.

But as Bordainick began to piece together the program, he learned of an NFL grant program for $200,000 in matching grants to rebuild football facilities and decided to pursue the grant to build a state of the art football field and track for the 9th ward community - called “The 9th Ward Field of Dreams”. Throughout this process, Bordainick eventually found an architecture firm to provide a budget a rendering of the project, which proved to be slightly more than he had anticipated - $1.85 million dollars.

Although told by many that this was an impossible dream - Bordainick pushed forward with the 9th ward project and over the last year has raised over $1 million dollars, has garnered support from Nike, and even scored a feature for The 9th Ward Field of Dreams on ESPN. With just a little more help, The 9th Ward Field of Dreams will be built.

“Together we can prove that against formidable odds, a few people crazy enough to believe in their own power to create change can overcome a seemingly impossible challenge.” - www.9thwardfieldofdreams.com

Learn more about the 9th Ward story in the videos below, or text “DREAM” to 50555 to make a donation and help The 9th Ward Field of Dreams reach its goal of $1.85 million and bring hope to the city of New Orleans.

Anything is Possible from The Canary Collective on Vimeo.

Brian Bordainick Talk @ The Feast from Chris Schultz on Vimeo.

Parents of Spinal Muscular Atrophy patient receive 50,000 votes on Facebook, win $100,000 to fight SMA

January 29th, 2010

The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, founded by Bill and Victoria Strong to raise awareness and fund research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), completed a grassroots social media campaign this week that landed them 6th place in Chase’s Community Giving challenge - along with a $100,000 grant to the foundation to continue the fight to cure SMA. 

Despite a lack of national attention around SMA, the disease is the leading genetic killer of young children. Through a completely grassroots effort, the foundation managed to amass 50,000 votes from users on Facebook to propel them into the winner’s circle and take home the grant and put a national spotlight on SMA.

As the Strongs’ put it: “We’re just two parents in a house in Santa Barbara, California with two MacBook laptops caring for our terminally ill two-year-old daughter and fighting any way we can to save her life. But, in this Chase campaign the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation was much, much more than the three of us. It was also two parents in a house in New York. And three people in a house in Spain. And three people in a house in Ohio. And 25 people at a company in Mississippi. And one family in a house in Australia. And one person in a house in Texas. And five people in a house in Arizona. And two people in a house in the England. The list goes on and on. And together — collectively — UNITED — relentlessly — all of our amazing individual efforts and our enormous unwavering passion amassed into this wonderful grassroots effort.”

Bill and Victoria Strong are the parents of Gwendolyn Debard Strong, who received the terminal diagnosis of SMA in 2008, when she was only 6 months old. Shortly after the diagnosis, Bill and Victoria vowed to make a difference for others inflicted by the disease and started the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation.

You can read more about the Gwendolyn’s story here, and do your part to help the cause.

Obama expected to make Haiti donations tax deductible on 2009 returns

January 22nd, 2010

The New York Times reported today that President Obama is expected to sign a new measure that will make donations made to Haiti relief efforts tax deductible on 2009 tax returns. Under normal circumstances, donations are only deductible in the year in which they were made, but in an effort to increase charitable donations to aid the Haiti relief effort, the U.S. government will be allowing citizens to deduct donations made this year on their 2009 returns.

The measure includes donations made on cell phones (after millions of people donated $10 to the Red Cross by texting “Haiti” to 90999), as long as those who donated save their cell phone bill that shows a record of the donation. Additional stipulations of the measure state that donations must be made to a U.S. charity that is assisting Haiti, and that those donations must be made after January 11th and before March 1st of 2010.

This measure has not been put into effect yet, but President Obama is expected to sign off on it shortly. Want to help the cause? Text your donation or check out new Haiti aid campaigns from local charities like The Moyer Foundation, Bishop Garcia Diego High School and The American Red Cross of Santa Barbara, all of which are raising significant funds to help provide critical resources in Haiti.

Building a home for orphans in Nepal at age 19

January 20th, 2010

There are so many amazing examples of young social entrepreneurs out there, and Maggie Doyne is no exception. At the age of 19, Maggie had recently graduated from high school and decided to take a trip around the world. After traveling 20,000 miles through four countries, Maggie stopped over in Nepal. During her stay, she met hundreds of orphan children lacking the basic necessities Maggie had growing up in the U.S. 

Determined to make a difference for these little children, Maggie called her parents and told them she was staying in Nepal to open a home for the children. Using $5,000 of her own money made from babysitting over the years and additional funds she raised, Maggie built a three-story home that now houses 26 formerly-homeless orphans.

Now a few years later, Maggie’s efforts have enabled her to enroll more than 60 children in school and also have provided life-changing operations for children in need of serious medical attention. She also started the BlinkNow Foundation to inspire children in the U.S. to follow in her footsteps and help others around the world.

Maggie’s passion for helping others has not gone unnoticed. She won Cosmo Girl’s “Born to Lead Award” in 2008, took the $100,000 grand prize for the 2009 Do Something Awards and has been profiled by FastCompany. You can learn more about Maggie’s story here.

Twitter community and American Red Cross reach out for Haiti earthquake relief

January 13th, 2010

In the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday, the Twitter community and chapters of the American Red Cross are stepping up to show their support and help raise money for relief. CNN reports that the quake was the most powerful to hit Haiti in the last century, and that ’serious loss of life’ is expected. As the story broke, live reports of what was happening on the ground came in from Twitter users in Haiti. Since then, an outpouring of support has emerged around the world from individuals and organizations utilizing Twitter to spread the word and raise money.

See what people are saying now on Twitter or donate to help the relief fund started by the American Red Cross of Santa Barbara County. See videos below to see the impact the earthquake has had and to learn more about what the American Red Cross is doing to help.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand: How a 4 year-old raised over $30 million to fight childhood cancer

January 7th, 2010

Nearly 10 years ago, a 4 year-old cancer patient named Alexhandra “Alex” Scott started a grassroots movement – and it all started with a simple lemonade stand to help her doctors raise money to cure all kids with cancer. For four years, Alex ran a lemonade stand in her community and raised a significant amount of money for the cause. In 2004, Alex set an improbable goal of raising $1 million, believing that if others like her could hold lemonade stands of their own in communities around the country, collectively they could reach the goal. That year, thousands of volunteers held lemonade stands around the country and miraculously reached Alex’s goal of $1 million raised. Shortly after the goal was reached, Alex lost her life to childhood cancer.

Though Alex did not get the opportunity to live a long life, her courage to make a difference continues to inspire over 100,000 people helping to fight for the cause, “one cup at a time”.

Starting with the movement Alex began in her own neighborhood, The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation continues to grow virally. Nearly 35,000 people follow Alex’s Lemonade Stand on Twitter, volunteers use Meetup.com to organize groups of supporters to hold lemonade stands in their communities, and even complete strangers from all over the country have united to put on charity auctions to support the cause. This year, the foundation is getting support from Grammy-nominated recording artist, Jordin Sparks, who will perform at ALSF’s 4th Annual Lemon Ball, this weekend in Philadelphia.

To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $30 million and funded over 100 research projects to find a cure. Watch the video below to learn more about Alex’s story.


Making the Most of the Holiday Giving Season

November 23rd, 2009

Thanksgiving is great time to reach out to your organization’s supporters - without asking them for a donation! Rather than asking for a contribution, thank them for their faithful support all year, mention the great work your organization has accomplished as a direct result of their generosity, and wish them a Happy Turkey day!

In the weeks following Thanksgiving, people are often looking for Holiday service ideas for their family, school, church, or office.  Make sure you have a some ready-made Holiday giving programs that are easy for them to join!  Here are two ideas: Holiday Wish Lists and Grassroots Fundraisers.  Grassroots Fundraisers can also be pitched to board members and other ardent supporters of your cause.

Wish Lists are perfect for this time of year. Fill yours with things that directly impact the people you support - blankets, medicine, groceries, books - the stuff that changes lives. Here are a few good examples: Storyteller’s Daily Needs , Dare to Dream Programs , Girls Inc’s Membership. Put a Holiday spin on your Wish List and email a solicitation with a Holiday message in the subject line - like ‘Make Christmas Special for a Special Child’ or something that ties in directly to your program.

In just a few minutes (really, a few minutes is all it takes…), board members and other passionate supporters of your organization can create their own grassroots fundraiser; they’ll tell the story of why your organization is important to them, upload a few pictures of themselves helping, publish, and then send an email to their friends and family inviting them to contribute - and they will because someone they care about asked them to. Done.

After the holidays is the perfect time to have a GIFT CARD DRIVE campaign. Make it fun - ask folks in your community if they received any gift cards to stores that aren’t on their A-list. If you haven’t already enabled accepting gift cards as donations, just go to your fundraiser ‘donation types’ and select ‘gift cards.’