It was tiny and well-loved. Being small and immensely popular, it was usually overcrowded.

The brilliant team at the museum set out to find a bigger space and ran a successful capital campaign to expand to a much larger location.

The new space was phenomenal—from outdoor climbing and obstacle courses, interactive exhibits that spanned life-size light-up games, to aeronautics with flying balls, to roller coaster physics, to water play with sound bowls.

Adults had as much fun as the children. The development director recruited members to become donors at invitation-only ‘after-hours’ events, where the adults roamed the museum, slid down slides, and tinkered and played at every exhibit to their hearts’ content. Like the set of the movie Night at the Museum, these guests had the whole museum to themselves.

There was just one problem. Despite the museum’s much-expanded footprint, it still had massive overcrowding.

Aside from giving to the capital campaign or a traveling exhibit, most of the museum’s fundraising asks were to give to their open-door policy that provided free entry for families without the financial resources to pay for admission.

Admirable goal. But hard to sell when the space was packed to the gills with hordes of families and a madhouse of children trying to play at each exhibit.

A lot of members—especially those lucky enough to go to the after-hours events—wanted a museum experience that didn’t involve fighting crowds.

Members asked staff whether they might add a fee or an exclusive member benefit at a higher member level for the special perk of ‘free range playtime’ before the museum opened to the public, after-hours or overnight events, but the staff wasn’t interested.

If you’re a museum, arts, or culture organization, you may be in this same dilemma. On the surface, it may look like space is the issue. It isn’t. It’s understanding donor motivations.

Most fundraising is helping ‘other people.’ But when you’re fundraising for arts or cultural organizations, donations don’t *just* help other people. They also benefit the donor. Yes, other people do indeed get something out of it, but donors generally give to enrich their lives.

A big reason why members choose to become donors is to enhance their own experience. It’s critical for the fundraising staff who handle membership to understand what motivates these donors.

Here are four different donor motivations and how you can use them in your fundraising to raise more gifts from members for your museum, cultural, or arts organization:

1. Donor benefits

Benefits are anything donors receive that enhances their experience. They can be practical, like premium parking, early access to sell-out tickets, access to lounges or the museum before or after regular operating hours, access to private events or exclusive events, or discounts for the gift shop or merchandise. Consider offering more aesthetic benefits like meet-the-artist events, backstage passes, tickets to dress rehearsals, and more.

2. Sustaining the museum (or art form)

Donors realize that it costs more to run a museum than their membership fees and that donations fill the gap. Their passion for your museum—or art form, preservation, or conservation efforts—drives them to give, ensuring these cherished spaces remain open and thriving. Engage these donors by reminding them of the emotions and experiences your museum evokes, using compelling storytelling to deepen their connection and inspire continued support.

Here’s an example of that in a monthly giving appeal targeting donors to a preservation organization:

Dear %Firstname%,

Your generosity and kindness protect the trails and forests of the beautiful Blue Hills.

I imagine that each time you come to the Blue Hills, you feel like I do.

Calmer. Happier. Rejuvenated.

When I visit the Blue Hills, I leave happier. If I’m with my family, we feel closer. After I bike or hike alone, I feel more connected to myself. Peaceful and grateful.

The walks I take each week remind me that the Blue Hills is a sacred space, first cared for by indigenous peoples. And now, it’s my turn to do my part.

That’s why I joined a dedicated group of supporters by becoming a Best Friend of the Blue Hills with a $50 monthly donation.

Because of your love for our beautiful Blue Hills, I’m sending you this special invitation today to join our monthly giving club, Best Friends of the Blue Hills.

When you become a Best Friend of the Blue Hills, you provide a steady and reliable source of income to ensure the preservation of the forest and trails you love.

%Firstname%, it’s only with your monthly gift that we can preserve these trails and native plant species.

Your generous monthly gift of:

$10 = Buys supplies to cut branches that block the trails.

$15 = Sends an ecologist to train volunteers to remove invasives at Fowl Meadow

$20 = Sends a trail maintenance expert to train volunteers to reduce soil erosion

If you sign up before March 3rd, you can raise an extra $5,000 through a generous donor match!

%Firstname%, when you become a Best Friend today, you’ll make sure the Blue Hills will be there for all of us to enjoy tomorrow.

Please, will you be our best friend?

Thank you for your love and support of the Blue Hills!

For the Blue Hills,

John Doe

P.S. Donate before March 3 to ensure an additional $5,000 is given to the Blue Hills!

3. Recognition

Donors who give to the arts like the recognition that comes with their gift. Hence, lots of naming opportunities—from the seats to the bricks outside, to programs, to endowed chairs. Here’s a great example of how the National WWII Museum does that:

“Take a moment to reflect on your personal connection to World War II. Maybe your father or grandfather served in the Pacific or fought across the plains of Europe. Or perhaps your mother or grandmother supported the war effort by powering the “arsenal of democracy” here at home. Whatever their involvement, it deserves permanent recognition on the Honor Roll at America’s National WWII Museum. Become a member today and ensure that your family’s legacy is never forgotten.”

4. Community pride

Many philanthropists and corporate sponsors support museums and arts organizations to boost the quality of life in the cities they hold dear. To magnify these feelings in your donors, speak with them directly about the role your museum (or art form) plays in the community.

Take the Brooklyn Museum, for example:

“The Brooklyn Museum is one of the world’s most welcoming and contemporary encyclopedic museums and is every bit Brooklyn: creative, relevant, diverse, and trailblazing. When you join as a Member, you celebrate the great art, big ideas, and courageous conversations that can only be found here.”

So, what’s the secret to turning members into passionate donors? It’s all about understanding what drives them. When you tap into their motivations—whether it’s enhancing their experience, sustaining the museum, receiving recognition, or boosting community pride—you create a deeper connection. These aren’t just one-time gifts; they’re investments in a shared love for the arts and culture. Keep your finger on the pulse of what matters most to your members, and you’ll find your fundraising efforts meet and exceed expectations.

Was your museum or arts organization able to raise more gifts from members? Drop your strategy it in the chat!  

The post Raise More Gifts From Members By Understanding Their Motivations appeared first on Bloomerang.

Step 1: Engage your board members by making it fun

If you currently follow “Robert’s Rules of Order” and feel your board meetings are just that— bored meetings—toss it out! No rule anywhere says you have to run your board meetings with stuffy parliamentary procedural pomp. For the record, Robert’s Rules of Order was written in 1876!

To put some pizzazz into your board meetings, here are 14 killer ways to engage your board members from Carol Weisman, President of Board Builders.com and author of Fundraising Superheroes:

1. Start your board meetings by sharing celebrations of what’s going well in your member’s personal, professional, or volunteer lives.
2. Use Photoshop to put your board members’ photos on a Wheaties box for your next annual meeting or board retreat. If you have a member with poor attendance and a really, really fabulous sense of humor, put their photo on a milk carton.
3. Instead of the traditional gavel, give a new board chair a conductor’s baton, magic wand, or magic lamp.
4. Before talking about fundraising, give every board member a 100 Grand or PayDay candy bar.
5. Get a funny award from a pawn shop—like an old bowling trophy—and pass it on to the board member who asks the best question.
6. Give a creative toy to celebrate outstanding service, like a stuffed roadrunner or the Energizer Bunny.
7. On your board roster, list hobbies that may provide an opportunity for other members to connect.
8. Give a “Life Saver Award” to the board member who jumps in to help at the last minute.
9. For your shining stars, present a certificate for one month of shoe-shines or a piece of jewelry with stars.
10. Provide a designated parking space for new board members or board members who’ve taken on extra responsibilities.
11. Buy and present the board member who’s always putting out fires a real firefighter’s hat. Present several different hats to the board member who wears many hats.
12. Create a “bright idea” award for the board members with the most innovative idea they’ve implemented.
13. Buy a toy sheriff’s badge for the development committee and deputize them as fundraisers.
14. Create a “Member of the Moment” award for behind-the-scenes leaders

Have you ever left a meeting and thought, “Jeez, that could have just been an email!” You shouldn’t feel like that after a board meeting. If your meetings are the same-old drone reading of reports by committee chairs, it’s time to change it up!

Here are five ways to kick up the fun factor on your board meetings:

1. Split into small groups to brainstorm/present.
2. Start with a fun icebreaker or thank-a-thon.
3. Invite a client, staff member, or board member to share a client story or testimonial.
4. Serve food.
5. Bring in guest speakers.

Step 2: Make it easy

If your board members aren’t engaged in fundraising, it may be because they don’t:

• Have any fundraising training, experience, or knowledge.
• Fully understand your revenue sources or how critical fundraising is to your organization’s financial health.
• Know what to say to a donor.

If that describes your board, take a step back to help them understand your revenue sources. Give them fundraising training at each board meeting and include it in your annual board retreat. Kick off each board meeting with goosebump stories about your mission and clients. Pick powerful stories they can’t wait to share with their friends and networks!

Another great way to make it easy for them is to ask them to invite you to be their guest at any professional or networking event or group. If you both wear your organization name tags, it sparks lots of conversations about board service and your mission and programs.

Step 3: Make it heartfelt and memorable

At the start of your next board meeting, invite your members to write down why they agreed to join the board and then share it. Why? That’s the elevator statement they can share with others.  

Another fun way to deepen board relationships and identify and recruit prospective board members is to host a Jeffersonian Dinner.

Jeffersonian dinners elevate the typical dinner experience into an unforgettable night of deep, meaningful connection. As Jeff Walker, who delivered a popular TED talk on the subject of Jeffersonian Dinners, explains, a small group discusses and explores a theme together, tapping into the wisdom of the room with ‘one mind’ conversation. Participants sit at one table and—unlike the typical dinner party—guests are encouraged not to engage in one-on-one conversations with their partners on either side. Instead, all conversation is directed to the entire group, as Thomas Jefferson, himself, ordained.

These discussions can result in deeper human connection, as attendees often share vulnerabilities and personal stories. When you help people create memories with one another, they’re more likely to help each other as colleagues and friends. The result is connections formed that last well beyond the shared meal and a conversation that lives on.

If planning and hosting a Jeffersonian Dinner is out of reach, here are 10 quick tips to motivate board members from The New Breed: Understanding and Equipping the 21st Century Volunteer:

1. Tap into their motivational drives

Get to know what makes each board member tick. Spend time learning about their passions, interests, and career goals. When you align their roles with what excites them, magic happens. For example, if someone loves community outreach, let them shine in public relations and engagement. When their work feels personal and meaningful, they’ll be more committed and energized.

2. Give them regular feedback

Feedback is the breakfast of champions! Schedule regular check-ins to discuss their contributions, celebrate successes, and provide constructive insights. This isn’t just about keeping them on track; it’s about making them feel valued and supported. When board members know you’re paying attention and care about their growth, their motivation soars.

3. Give rewards and recognition

Everyone loves a pat on the back. Implement a recognition program that celebrates your board members’ hard work. Think awards, certificates, or even small tokens of appreciation. Publicly acknowledge their achievements during meetings or in newsletters. Recognition not only motivates the individual but sets a positive, encouraging tone for the whole team.

4. Offer special privileges or incentives

Special perks can make board members feel extra valued. Offer them exclusive access to events, leadership development opportunities, or networking sessions with industry influencers. These incentives are powerful motivators, showing that their dedication is not just noticed but rewarded in meaningful ways.

5. Provide training

Investing in your board members’ professional development is a win-win. Offer workshops, seminars, and courses that enhance their skills and knowledge. This shows your commitment to their personal growth and equips them with the tools they need to make an even more significant impact. When they grow, so does your organization.

6. Give public affirmations

Shout it from the rooftops! During board meetings, publicly commend members for their contributions and achievements. Highlight specific actions and their impact on the organization. Public recognition boosts confidence, creates a culture of appreciation, and motivates everyone to strive for excellence.

7. Have fun with them

All work and no play? No way! Organize team-building activities, social events, and informal gatherings where board members can relax and bond. These fun moments build camaraderie, reduce stress, and make the board experience more enjoyable and fulfilling. A team that plays together stays together.

8. Thank their support network

Send a thank-you note or token gift to the folks who support your board members. Recognizing the people who cheer them on shows your appreciation and gratitude. This simple gesture fosters loyalty and commitment to your organization, making everyone feel valued and included.

9. Positive gossip (yes, brag to peers)

Spread the good word! Share positive stories and accomplishments about board members with their peers. Mention their contributions in conversations with other leaders or during public events. This positive gossip not only boosts morale but also builds credibility and influence within and beyond the organization.

10. Make yourself available

Accessibility is key. Make sure your board members know they can reach out to you at any time with questions, concerns, or ideas. Respond quickly and provide the support they need. Your availability shows you value their time and input and are committed to their success, fostering trust and partnership.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll engage your board members and ignite their influence, leading to a more dynamic and effective governance team. Remember, a motivated board is a powerful force for good!

Do you have a favorite way to engage your board members? Drop it in the comments below!  

The post Strategies For Nonprofit Empowerment appeared first on Bloomerang.

But are your board members ‘out there’ advocating for your cause? Or are they hovering ‘inside,’ focusing on internal items like day-to-day operations, finance, or programs?

How can you develop a board of advocates who connect with and champion your mission? First, clearly explain the role of advocacy during the recruitment process and address and eliminate any misunderstandings. Then, give them easy ways to engage in advocacy.

What is advocacy, and why it matters

You have a big, bold vision to better the world with your nonprofit—whether you’re developing programs and influencing policies around education, social justice, human rights, or animal rights.

To make your vision a reality, you must advocate. Advocacy sparks public awareness, debate, and progress on the most important issues facing our society and impacting your charity. It’s a critical way to connect policymakers with the ideas that move our country (and your nonprofit) forward.

Advocacy covers a range of activities for nonprofits and includes much more than just legislative lobbying.

According to the Alliance for Justice, “Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” It includes public education, regulatory work, litigation, and work before administrative bodies, lobbying, nonpartisan voter registration, nonpartisan voter education, and more.

Advocacy vs lobbying: clearing up common misconceptions

If you have a board member who thinks it’s inappropriate or illegal for a nonprofit to engage in advocacy, you need to clear up that misconception. As a nonprofit, you have quite a bit of flexibility to advocate for (or against) decisions by others that could advance (or hurt) your mission.

Nonprofits count on board members to engage with people in positions to influence public opinion and decision-making that can enable your nonprofit to do its work better. Those people could be government officials, business leaders, the media, or other leaders in the charitable sector.

The importance of advocacy for nonprofit success

In 2011, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in California discovered what could happen without advocates. The state dissolved its redevelopment agencies, which meant that when policy issues related to housing arose, Habitat had no seat at the table and no one to advocate for their work. Luckily, it organized a Habitat for Humanity in California with a board of all-local Habitat affiliates who can advocate for housing with the state.

Learn more inspiring stories of advocacy in action at standforyourmission.org

Real-world examples of effective nonprofit board advocacy

Advocacy can take many forms, depending on the needs and goals of your nonprofit. Here are some examples:

• A sustainable food nonprofit asking the community’s zoning board for permission to hold a farmer’s market in an underserved neighborhood or requesting a parking variance to enable a meal truck to serve homeless people in a park
• An education nonprofit arranging a meeting with an elected official to educate them about the value of a program that empowers girls in STEM to improve graduation rates, boost the odds of their pursuing higher education and enhance job readiness.
• A youth services nonprofit working with government agencies to use a public building for a youth program.

How to integrate advocacy into board member recruitment

You wouldn’t take on a brand new job without ever seeing a job description, would you? Sadly, this happens all the time with board service. Many nonprofits have vague board job descriptions and board agreements, or none at all. Don’t let this be you! Set yourself and your board up for success with a well-written board agreement that offers multiple robust options for how they can serve as an ambassador and advocate for the mission.

Simple and effective actions to help board members be advocates

Nonprofit board advocacy comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

It can start simply by talking with a friend about why they care so much about your organization’s mission, attending events or meetings where your nonprofit should be visible, or making key connections with influential leaders within their networks.

Serving as a strong advocate means making the most of personal networks and influence to reach decision-makers and being an influential voice in conversations with those decision-makers.

Invite your board to participate in these easy and impactful ways to advocate for your mission:

• Host behind-the-scenes tours. Encourage your board to organize and bring interested friends, acquaintances, stakeholders, decision-makers, and elected officials for a behind-the-scenes tour of your facility, programs, or services. This firsthand look can foster a deeper understanding and support for your work.
• Arrange informative presentations. Suggest that board members invite key individuals to hear a presentation by your staff or an outside expert. This can inform and engage them on the critical issues your organization addresses and the impact of your programs.
• Leverage social networks. Encourage your board to use their social networks to share information about your organization or specific issues you’re tackling. Sharing this with their networks of friends, acquaintances, stakeholders, decision-makers, and elected officials can significantly raise awareness and support for your initiatives.
• Introduce key speakers. Ask your board to identify and create opportunities for your Executive Director or Development Director to speak at events, meetings, or forums. Their expertise and passion can inspire and mobilize new supporters.
• Collaborate with community allies. Motivate your board to join forces with local community groups, businesses, and other nonprofits. Working together can amplify your advocacy efforts and extend your reach.
• Engage donors in legislative advocacy. Prompt your board to convene small groups of donors to explore and leverage their legislative relationships. This can open doors to new advocacy opportunities and strengthen influence on relevant policies.

Your board members are the bridge between your nonprofit and its wider community. When you actively engage your board in advocacy, they can amplify your mission and drive meaningful change. By encouraging and equipping your board to be strong advocates, you ensure they’re not just participants but powerful champions of your cause. Remember—anyone with a passion for your mission and a voice has what it takes to be an effective advocate.

Start today by asking your board members the question: Who can I talk to today to advance our mission?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on building nonprofit board advocacy. How has advocacy made a difference for your organization? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below!

The post How To Build An Advocacy-Driven Nonprofit Board appeared first on Bloomerang.

I can’t blame them.

Recent political events have shown that political candidates can raise impressive amounts of money immediately following major events. It’s important to remember that these spikes in political fundraising don’t necessarily impact charitable giving.

As a fundraiser, this might worry you. But it shouldn’t.

You should have zero doubts, worries, fears, or concerns that the presidential election will hurt your fundraising. Zero! Nada!

While the race will dominate the national media’s attention, it won’t impact a penny you raise through the end of 2024.

To what do I owe my brazen self-assuredness? One word: history. Every four years, nonprofits ask me whether the oncoming flood of emails and direct mail from the presidential race will hurt their fundraising.

It won’t, dear fundraiser. Want proof? Analytical Ones studied giving patterns among 50 nonprofits for the past 10 years. They found that giving across these organizations increased incrementally each season, regardless of whether there was an election. There was no correlation whatsoever between money raised and election years.

Author and legendary fundraising copywriter Jeff Brooks makes another distinction clear: Donors to political campaigns and donors to charity have largely different motivations for giving.

Few people redirect their typical charitable giving toward political candidates. Why is that? Political campaign donors often give out of loyalty to a party, support for a particular candidate, or passion for a specific political ideology. Their contributions are aimed at advancing a political agenda or influencing election outcomes. On the other hand, supporters of charitable causes are driven by a heartfelt desire to make a difference. They give to help those in need, support community well being, or further a mission they believe in. Their generosity is fueled by altruism and the tangible impact they see from the nonprofits they choose to support.

So, what’s the lesson here?

Do *not* cancel or cut back on your digital or direct mail appeals just because it’s an election year. Drop every appeal with enthusiasm. Stride into every face-to-face ask with your head held high.

As Jeff Brooks said during the COVID pandemic, “Any fundraising you don’t do is guaranteed zero revenue. It’s also a lost opportunity you can never get back.”

Jeff does have some advice for you if you are fundraising among donors who live in one of the big battleground states: Consider pausing some of your communications around election week—from the week or two before until immediately after—leave some open space so your messages aren’t landing in overcrowded mailboxes. But don’t cancel anything!

Don’t let any fears hold you back, dear fundraiser! You have a big mission to fulfill, and the world is counting on you.

Now that I’ve (hopefully) put your fundraising fears to bed, let’s talk strategy!

If your nonprofit should find itself with an opportunity to leverage current events with humor to your cause, take it!

Case in point: Humane Society of Northeast Georgia’s spoof on Carole Baskin for their peer-to-peer fundraiser at the peak of Joe Exotic’s Tiger King popularity.

Hungry for ideas? Look to the current news cycle for inspiration.

You may not have an opportunity to lean into current events with humor, or cat memes. Not all nonprofits can.

One thing you can do, however, is be prepared. While events leading up to the election won’t necessarily affect fundraising, election results—including the upcoming presidential election—will likely have a funding impact for your nonprofit. Be sure to prepare your communications ahead of time, so you’re covered for either potential scenario.

I hope I’ve helped you put those election jitters to rest. Just remember: History has our backs—charitable giving stays strong, even in election years. So, stay laser-focused on your mission and keep your fundraising gears turning without hesitation. Prepare for whatever the election brings, and don’t forget that your cause is too important to let any political buzz slow you down. Keep pushing forward, and your nonprofit will shine brighter than ever!

How do you plan to survive fundraising in an election season? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Surviving Election Season: What Every Nonprofit Needs To Know Now appeared first on Bloomerang.

That, combined with relentless fundraising pressure, can cause burnout and turnover.

So, what’s an Executive Director (ED) to do?

There’s a lot that goes into building and managing a healthy board of directors but it starts with the Executive Director.

Understanding the qualities needed for great board leadership

To recruit, onboard, and lead a high-functioning board of directors the Executive Director needs key qualities like confidence, maturity, integrity, compassion, vision, charisma, and gratitude.

Confidence may be the most important quality because if an ED seeks excessive input from a board to make key decisions they should be making on their own—like hiring staff—they can seal their fate and forever be treated by their board as subservient.

Being a great ED and leader to your nonprofit board also requires the maturity to know when and how to pick your battles. It’s critical that an ED handle all interactions with fairness and respect—treating people equally, respecting privacy, and acknowledging mistakes. It takes a lot of heart to work in the nonprofit profession and a healthy dose of compassion on the part of the ED can boost morale and create a positive and supportive environment. Their vision must be inspiring to attract and keep board members engaged in fulfilling the mission. It takes a healthy dose of charisma to influence and motivate others. Finally, one of the most important qualities a great Executive Director must have is gratitude. They must set the example by expressing genuine appreciation for the generosity of donors, volunteers—including board members—and the contributions of staff.

On top of these key qualities, the Executive Director needs something else—and that is to embrace the role fundraising plays in fulfilling the mission. Naturally, fundraising works infinitely better when everyone sees the value of philanthropy, but an ED who doesn’t value, respect, or enthusiastically engage in fundraising isn’t setting any kind of a positive role model for the board (or staff). Why would a board engage in fundraising if its highest-ranking leader does not?

Now that we’ve covered all the qualities that make for a great Executive Director primed to lead a board, there are two processes they must follow to get high-performing board members and set them up for success.

Recruiting an effective board

Having a thriving board of directors starts with recruitment. A great board and a great ED are recruiting all the time, which means being board-aware with donors and having a well-run board-nominating (or governance) committee. Networking and social platforms are great ways to discover and engage prospective candidates from the professional and personal connections of both board and staff members. I recommend you ‘try before you buy’ and invite interested prospective board members to serve on an ad hoc committee. If a mover and shaker in your community declines your invitation because of their current board commitments, ask them to consider joining after their current term ends and steward them until they can join.

During recruitment you need to be crystal clear about the expectations of service, especially around fundraising! I like the approach my friend Andy Robinson suggests in his book, What Every Board Member Needs to Know, Do, and Avoid, which is to frame these expectations by clarifying what will be asked of them and simultaneously, how they will be supported.

For example, we ask that you provide a positive fundraising attitude, your skills, time, and effort, and that you give generously to us while you serve on the board. In return, you can expect training and support to be effective and choices in how you give.

Some sample recruitment questions to learn more about potential candidates can include:

• What interests you about our organization?
• What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?
• Part of board service is fundraising. Can you tell me more about your experiences with fundraising?
• What skills, connections, resources, and expertise are you willing to offer or use on behalf of the organization?
• What motivates you?
• While you serve on our board, will you make us one of your top three philanthropic commitments?

Need a little more help with recruitment? Download my five-step guide to recruiting board members and 10 questions to ask a prospective board member

Creating a stellar onboarding experience for new board members

Here are five things you can do to ensure success for your new board members:

1. A robust board orientation—which includes the presence of your board chair—where you explain the board role and attributes of a great board member, and where you provide a tour, job description, and board manual.
2. A warm board welcome at the board meeting where they can get to know other board members.
3. Assign a board “buddy.” Ideally, this is the board member you’d most like to clone! They can help your new board member get up to speed and set expectations for service.
4. Three-, six-, and nine-month check-ins. It’s standard practice to schedule regular check-ins for new hires; why not do the same for new board members? It’s a great way to ensure they feel supported and know what’s expected of them.
5. Check in after the first term to invite for a second, or thank and release them for their board service. Too many boards lack term limits—or if they have them, limits aren’t enforced. Checking in before they move on to another term is critical to make sure you’re both a perfect fit.

Every board meeting should include a philanthropic activity or element of fundraising training, like calling to thank donors, outlining the sources of your revenue, or sharing ‘goosebump’ stories from the front lines about how donors make a difference.

Bringing it all together: Ensuring board excellence

Navigating nonprofit board management is both an art and a science. It takes more than dogged determination; it requires a spark of charisma and a solid backbone of integrity. An Executive Director needs to shine in these roles if they want a board that doesn’t just function but flourishes. By strategically recruiting and investing in thoughtful onboarding, a great ED can transform board members into fierce and loyal advocates for the mission.

Remember—recruiting, onboarding, and leading a board is a marathon, not a sprint!

This sample board agreement can make it easier.

Is there anything in this recipe for board leadership we left out? Drop your feedback in the comments sections below, we’d love to hear from you!

The post From Inexperience To Impact: Recipe For Board Leadership appeared first on Bloomerang.

Culture, arts, and environmental organizations live and breathe memberships. Advocacy and professional associations thrive on them. Lots of household nonprofit brands, like the AARP, ACLU, Girl Scouts, Human Rights Campaign, and the YMCA, use a membership model.

What is a membership model?

A membership is a type of business plan where individuals pay a recurring fee—dues—to access the value an organization creates.

Who could you target as a member?

Your nonprofit’s natural constituency is the community you work in every day.

Your constituents are the people you serve, advocate for, or organize—and who directly benefit from your work. Schools have students and alums. Hospitals have patients, often referred to as “grateful patients.”

If you lack a natural constituency, think about who your ideal constituent might be by asking yourself:

• Who’s interested in our work?
• What’s their primary motivation for becoming involved with our organization?
• How can or do we add value to their lives?
• What are their demographic attributes?

Strategies to attract and recruit new members

I promised you 19 tips to supercharge your membership strategy, and here they are, neatly packaged into five strategic approaches. Each approach targets an essential aspect of membership recruitment and engagement, offering a clear roadmap to expand your nonprofit’s base. From mobilizing your current members to maximizing digital tools, these strategies will help you amplify your reach and forge a more connected and committed community.

Engage current members to recruit new members

Your current members aren’t just part of your community; they’re your best advocates for drawing in new members. Harnessing their credibility, trust, and intimate knowledge of your organization’s mission can supercharge your recruitment efforts. Plus, involving them deepens their own sense of connection and camaraderie, turning your community into a welcoming family that keeps growing.

1. Solicit your current members for their recruitment ideas.
2. Ask them to list their membership in their professional bios on LinkedIn.
3. Help members craft an “elevator pitch” about their membership so they’re ready to recruit.
4. Give your members ‘business cards’ to hand out to prospective members when they meet them.
5. Extend a recurring “bring a friend” plus one invite for your events.
6. Hold a recruitment contest with special perks for current members and recognition for when they recruit new members.
7. Make it easy by crafting an invitation email template your members can use.
8. Give members a button or pin and encourage them to wear it.
9. Invite current members to a call-back campaign to win back lapsed members.

Embrace social media and digital marketing

Mastering social media and digital marketing is non-negotiable in today’s connected world. Use these dynamic platforms to cast a wide net and connect with potential members by showcasing what makes your nonprofit unique. This strategy doesn’t just boost your visibility; it’s your direct line to engage with a diverse audience and start meaningful conversations.

10. Use your social platforms to run targeted ads that reach prospective members based on their interests, location, and demographics.
11. Create engaging and shareable content like videos, testimonials, and graphics highlighting the unique benefits of membership.
12. Run email marketing campaigns that offer special promotions or highlight exclusive benefits for new members.

Ignite interest with limited-time promotions

Nothing spices up an offer like the magic words: “limited time.” Use this approach to inject excitement and urgency into your membership drive. Dangling enticing membership perks for a brief period may help nudge those on the fence to leap into action.

13. Create a sense of urgency with special, limited-time perks.
14. To encourage current members to refer friends and family, offer a special perk to both the referrer and the new member.
15. Combine these promotions with compelling testimonials, and watch prospect interest transform into loyal commitment.

Create connections through special events and open houses

Why not invite potential members to step into your world? Let them meet your vibrant community and witness the impact of your efforts firsthand. These experiences are not just informative; they’re transformational, often tipping the scales for attendees to join your cause.

16. Host “member for a day” open house events where potential members can experience the benefits of membership firsthand. These events can feature exclusive tours or free classes. Consider getting a corporate sponsor to invite their contacts and underwrite the event.
17. Offer special perks to those who sign up for a membership on the spot at your public community events.

Expand your horizons with partnerships and collaborations

Why go it alone when you can join forces? Collaborating with local businesses and other nonprofits can supercharge your membership offers. Whether with bundled memberships or exclusive discounts, these partnerships do more than just widen your pool of prospects—they enrich your membership, making it irresistibly appealing.

18. Develop partnerships with local businesses that can offer discounts or special deals to your members and, in return, promote your membership program to their customers.
19. Collaborate with other nonprofits to cross-promote membership programs; for example, an art museum could partner with a local theater to offer joint memberships or discounts.

There you have it—19 ways to supercharge your nonprofit membership base!

Remember, a vibrant membership community is built over time. It takes a mix of creativity, consistency, and genuine connection. By engaging your current members, working social media, offering special promotions, hosting memorable events, and building strategic partnerships, you’ll create a compelling membership experience that keeps people coming back for more. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to watch your membership soar. Your community is waiting to be a part of something amazing—it’s time to invite them in and show them the difference they can make. Happy recruiting!

Are you actively trying to recruit new members? Let us know in the comments.

The post 19 Tips To Recruit New Members For Your Nonprofit appeared first on Bloomerang.

In short, a membership program offers members exclusive benefits and perks for a recurring fee. While anyone can engage with you, members pay dues to get additional value.

A well-designed membership program has compelling perks that clearly show why people should join. If you’re brainstorming how to create or enhance your membership perks, here’s a blueprint to help you get started.

Step one: Get feedback on the benefits they value most

Do you know which perks your members value most? Which do they value the least? Are there benefits they want that you don’t currently offer? Member surveys are a great tool to solicit feedback.

A few short sample questions are:

1. What inspired you to join [Organization Name]?
2. Would you like to share ideas for new member benefits, activities, or events?
3. How can [Organization name] improve or add to the membership experience?
4. Is anything making it difficult for you to use your membership benefits fully?
5. Do you have any additional feedback for us? We’re all ears!

Consider asking members to rate the importance of the following benefits:

• Members-only events or publications
• Early or private access or special pricing to events, workshops, classes, or activities
• Exclusive discounts on products or services
• Members-only merchandise
• Networking opportunities with other members
• Recognition

When conducting a survey, avoid making all questions mandatory. Invite members to take the survey several times and offer a compelling mission-related perk or incentive for their participation. At the end of the survey, always ask if they’d like to share anything. If you ask their name, be sure to do so at the end of the survey. Consider making that field optional in case a member wants to vent in confidence.

Step two: Offer value

Once you know what your members value the most, you can enhance your membership benefits. Reserve exclusive benefits to encourage people to opt for higher tiers.

Consider letting your members select their own benefits and pay for the perks they choose. For example, if you were a children’s museum, you could offer a ‘night at the museum’ benefit for a premium.

Step three: Steward your members

Look for ways to make members feel appreciated and recognized at every level. Solicit their feedback regularly, thank them publicly during events, and give them exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences.

Make sure every member gets a welcome kit at each membership level with branded content that reinforces your mission. Simple items like branded goodies, stickers, bookmarks, a map of your museum, park, or trails, coupons for vendors your members might frequent, or free entry tickets to your event(s) can surprise and delight your members.

Cultivating a thriving membership community

A thriving membership program is about understanding and meeting your members’ needs. By regularly gathering feedback, offering benefits they genuinely value, and consistently showing your appreciation, you can create a community that members love. If they love it, you can bet it’ll make recruiting new members easy, ensuring your nonprofit’s sustainability and growth. The secret sauce? Keep innovating and engaging with your members, making them feel vital to your mission. Happy members are the foundation of a successful nonprofit!

What are your favorite membership perks? Drop them in the comment box below! 

The post Affordable Ways To Delight Members If Your Nonprofit Has A Membership Model appeared first on Bloomerang.

The Beatles are about to do something that’s never been done before. The whole world (25 countries, to be exact) is watching as they perform live on the first-ever global satellite TV broadcast. Their song? “All You Need Is Love.”

Its simple yet profound message became an instant hit and an anthem for the counter-culture movement.

John Lennon explained the dual meaning of the song: “At one level, it means that love is the most important thing in the world, but it can also mean that love is the one thing you are lacking, the one thing you haven’t got.”

John was spot on. Love is the most important thing in the world, and it’s also the one thing your fundraising might be missing.

So, how can you transform your fundraising with love? Two words: philanthropic psychology.

Philanthropic psychology is the science of how people love themselves and others. If I feel great about who I am when I give, I’ll give again. And again. And I’ll give more. Humans are wired to seek out pleasurable experiences. When we find them, we want to repeat them.

Jen Shang founded Phil Psych® and holds the world’s first PhD in Philanthropy. She’s also the world’s only philanthropic psychologist. Jen co-founded The Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, which aims to grow the human capacity to love.

Jen believes every donation can grow the human capacity to love. She teaches Phil Psych® courses and uses science to create more memorable giving experiences that genuinely contribute to the well-being of supporters.

What does Phil Psych® look like in practice?

I had the pleasure of presenting at AFP ICON 2024 with two of my favorite copywriters, Julie Cooper and Sarah Masterson. Each of us has earned our certificates in philanthropic psychology with distinction. During our session, we shared several examples of philanthropic psychology, which you can register to watch live on July 31.

Traditional fundraising focuses on what the donor’s gift will do, as in: “You can shine the light of hope.” Philanthropic psychology speaks to who the donor is and lets them reflect on who they are, as in, “You are the light of hope.”

In philanthropic psychology, you make the donors feel the goodness of what they do AND the goodness of who they are. You’re connecting the kindness inside of the donor with the good they brought about.

To quote Julie’s copywriting partner, Brett Cooper: “Your communications are a place, and that place has a vibe, and the vibe is that warm feeling of a donor’s worth and goodness.”

To implement philanthropic psychology into your fundraising communications, use words that speak to who your donors are when they give. Make the act of giving to your organization an expression of your donor’s best self.

Ask yourself:

1. Have I discovered our donor’s best self?
2. Have I amplified their best self in my copy?
3. Can they see their best self in the support they offer to beneficiaries?
4. Is every word in my fundraising copy helping me to achieve these goals?

How much more money does it raise?

The British Columbia SPCA adopted philanthropic principles in its fundraising in 2022 and compared those results to 2018. The results? They dramatically grew (in parallel with other growth initiatives) their donor base by 32%, monthly donors by 22%, and direct response revenue by 79%.

Why does it raise more money?

At its core, it primes the donor’s identity. It could be their:

• Personal identity, “For you and I, saving animals is a calling.”
• Group identity, “When you become a Purrfect Friend, you join a special group of animal lovers changing the world for abandoned cats.”
• Moral identity, “Your compassion can rescue abandoned kittens from certain death.”

Philanthropic psychology distinguishes the good feelings we, as donors, get from what we do from the good feelings we get from who we are.

Digging in a little deeper, Dr. Shang shares that the three critical components of psychological well-being are autonomy, competence, and connection.

Phil Psych®-based fundraising copywriting leverages each of them to help donors:

1. Feel “seen” for the very best person they are (and will be) through their giving. This is autonomy—acting on your own initiative. Autonomy is the ability to choose your best self and take actions that represent your ideals, like giving.
2. Feel “efficient and effective” in making the world a better place. This is competence.
3. Feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

John Lennon was right: all you need is love.

Now that you’ve been introduced to philanthropic psychology, I challenge you to use it to speak to your donors in a way that celebrates who they are.

Want a little help? I’ve got great news! I’m teaming up with my fundraising copywriting besties Julie Cooper and Sarah Masterson to present our highly acclaimed top-rated copywriting session at AFP ICON in a free webinar on Wednesday, July 31st, at 12 noon CST/ 1 pm EST.

Interested in getting your certificate in Philanthropic Psychology? Learn more about Jen Shang, PhD, and her programs here.

The post How To Boost Your Fundraising With Philanthropic Psychology appeared first on Bloomerang.

It’s easy for other fundraisers to feel jealous when they see how many women are Girl Scouts and their positive sentiments for the organization.

• One in every two adult women has been a member of Girl Scouts.
• More than half (52%) of women in business are Girl Scout alumnae.
• Nearly one in five alumnae (19%) have reconnected with the Girl Scouts as a volunteer or troop leader. Of those who haven’t reconnected, 21 percent express a strong interest in reconnecting with Girl Scouts in the future. Source: Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study

Who wouldn’t want the chance to fundraise with such a vast pool of benevolent alumnae? Girl Scouts have their cookies, songs, salutes, ceremonies, camps, awards, and celebrations—all translating to tons of treasured memories.

Here are five fundraising strategies great Girl Scout fundraisers use:

1. Get personal and conduct great discovery

The greatest gift we can give our donors is being known by us. Anything a donor chooses to share with you—their values, hopes, hardships, wishes, hobbies, or an important milestone in their life—offers you an opportunity to deepen your relationship by honoring that.

The best way to have a meaningful relationship with a donor is to be meaningful to them.

Every moment with your donor is a chance to conduct great discovery. Three of my favorite discovery questions are:

• What’s the most satisfying philanthropic gift you’ve ever made and why?
• Of all the great agencies you support, which does the best job of keeping you involved? How?
• What legacy do you most want your giving to have in the world?

Grab my guide to rapport-building discovery questions for more!

2. Reflect on their Girl Scout memories

Only a few fundraisers have a pool of constituents as wide and deep as the Girl Scouts, much less a group with their own cookies, traditions, songs, ceremonies, awards, and celebrations!

The best Girl Scout fundraisers get their donors and prospects talking—about their favorite cookie, their favorite memory from selling cookies, their favorite thing about summer camp, the friends they made in Girl Scouts, and their favorite moments in Girl Scouts.

You have a rare opportunity that most fundraisers lack—you can prime their personal identity as a Girl Scout to make them feel pride. Is helping girls an essential part of their identity? By connecting them to you, you can grow their giving and their sense of well-being.

Reflecting on any of those positive memories is a powerful way to prime their personal identity as a Girl Scout.

3. Show up in a way that engages donors

Video email is one of my favorite tools for standing out in a crowded inbox. Today, many vendors offer video email, including Gratavid—which provides seamless integration with Bloomerang.

Video email makes it easy to build personal relationships through email.

My go-to tool for video email is Bomb Bomb video email, which integrates with your Gmail or Outlook account so you can record videos natively. I literally click a button in Gmail, and poof! I’ve created a video using my webcam directly in Gmail.

Video email lets you send your donor an authentic, heartfelt message—with no writer’s block! There’s nothing better than being face-to-face with the people who matter most to your organization, and that’s exactly what it lets you do.

It’s a sure-fire win to stand out. Think about it—how often do you receive a video email, much less a personalized video email?

My favorite part about video email is the notification. Without the recipient’s knowing, you can see if they opened your email. You can even set it to notify you each time your recipient opens your email and watches your video.

C’mon, who doesn’t want to know if their message is getting through to their donors?

(And not in that creepy “read-receipt” kind of way).

I had the pleasure of doing a training at the Girl Scout National Convention in 2017 and introduced a roomful of Girl Scout fundraisers to the tool. One of the fundraisers who signed up for the free trial shared the impact it had on her getting a visit with a hard-to-reach donor who wasn’t returning her phone calls.

Grab more technology tools to help you cut through the noise in my virtual guide to donor cultivation.

4. Do your homework before a donor meeting

Never go into a donor meeting without having done some research on your donor to get to know them better and reveal interesting conversation points you want to bring up,

You aren’t being creepy by Googling them or researching them on LinkedIn before a meeting. Search for any shared values, connections, or linkages between them, you, the organization, and your board members.

Whatever you discover, just be tactful: “How’d you go from an English major to CEO?” “Did you always know you wanted to be … (in politics / in technology / an entrepreneur/ in media)?”

5. Always be ready to have a conversation about legacy giving

Every great fundraiser must be prepared to discuss the possibility of a donor making a legacy gift. Girl Scout fundraisers especially have a unique opportunity to help their donors leave a magnificent legacy to a well-loved leader for girls and women.

It could be sparked by a discussion about the future, by them losing someone close to them, or by a conversation about ensuring one’s heirs’ future, or a million other potential prompts.

Here are a few planned giving discovery questions you might ask:

• How important is it to you to impact the future through your philanthropy?
• How do you hope to achieve that?
• What role does your estate plan play?

On top of fundraising for a great cause—supporting the next generation of girls and women leaders—Girl Scout fundraisers have the unique opportunity to fundraise with a well-loved household brand among what may be one of the largest and most successful networks of alums in the world.

So, in the words of Dr. Suess,

“You’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So … get on your way!”

Here’s to investing in deeper relationships with your donors and changing the world for girls!

Are you a fundraiser for a Girl Scout council? We’d love to hear your experiences and strategies—please share your thoughts in the comments section below!  

The post What The Best Girl Scout Fundraisers Do Differently appeared first on Bloomerang.

How are you supposed to find the time to do outstanding stewardship when …

• You’ve got an appeal to get out the door.
• You have a newsletter to write.
• You’ve got a full week of meetings that could be emails instead.
• You have a board meeting tonight to prepare for.

I can’t make all the demands on your time go away. But I can show you that stewardship is a revenue center, not a cost center, and give you easy-to-implement, time-saving ways to boost your donors’ giving.

First, the proof.

As Tom Ahern explains in What Your Donors Want and Why, first-time donors who receive a personal thank you within 48 hours are four times more likely to give again. (Yes, you read that right—thanking in 48 hours equals a 400% improvement in renewal rates!)

In 2017, Leah Eustace confirmed this phenomenon: “A one-minute thank-you call to new donors increased conversion by over 30%.”

Need more convincing? In Penelope Burk’s 2021 Donor Survey of 20,000 US donors, 75% said the number one piece of content that influences whether they’ll give again is hearing the results achieved by their gift.

Ready for some affordable, easy-to-implement strategies to use at your Family Promise Affiliate?

The fastest way is to craft your own stewardship plan. To get started, you can grab this sample template.

The three most important things you need in a stewardship plan are to:

1. Arrange NOT by gift amount but by the donor’s identity (like first-time donor, monthly donor, or planned gift donor) or longevity (like first-time donor, monthly donor, or donor who has given three or more gifts).
2. Designate an owner for each stewardship touchpoint, for example, Development Director or CEO.
3. Specify the type of communication and when it occurs, for example, “First-time donor welcome call from Development Director within five days of gift.”

Now that you have a template and the most important things to get started, here are five strategies, tips, and tools to help you soar:

1. Write donor-centered emotional copy that celebrates your donor’s generosity and good works. Take advantage of the free Bloomerang donor communications audit tool to help. Remember, the donor gets the credit, and you get the gift!
2. Set aside time to work on your plan each day or week by blocking a one-hour “stewardship power hour” on your calendar to make donor thank-you calls or video emails, or to write thank-you emails, letters, or cards.
3. Prepare as many materials as you can in advance, like thank-you cards written by clients, students, or parents.
4. Include touches to learn more about your donors, like a short three-question first-time donor survey or a longer supporter connection survey for loyal donors.
5. Consider video email, which lets you send personal, heartfelt messages straight from your webcam and inbox. Bomb Bomb, Gratavid, and CauseVid are just a few video email vendors. To streamline video email creation, Gratavid offers seamless integration with Bloomerang.

Hungry for more stewardship ideas? Grab my guide, “23 Ways to Delight Donors.”

In the words of my friend and author Brock Turner, CFRE at Broccoli, “Humans never tire of honest, heartfelt gratitude. The opportunity to surprise and delight donors simply by saying thank you is present more than you think.”

Time to get out there and love on those donors!

Have a stewardship strategy for Family Promise Affiliates that you want to share? Drop it in the comments below! 

The post Stewardship That Boosts Revenue For Family Promise Affiliates appeared first on Bloomerang.

They might be new to nonprofit boards. Or even if they’ve served before, they might never have received training in fundraising, board governance, conflict management, or the nuances of hiring and managing an Executive Director. The challenges don’t stop there—how about handling successful leadership transitions? It’s a lot.

So, how does an Executive Director not only survive but thrive in this landscape?

I won’t sugarcoat it. Recruiting, training, and managing a board of directors may be some of the most challenging parts of an Executive Director’s job. I say that as a recovering ED myself. Even the most dedicated EDs can find themselves at odds with their boards—despite doing everything by the book.

Here’s my survival kit—seven strategies to help you thrive as an Executive Director:

1. Find your tribe. There’s no role quite as demanding or lonelier than an ED. The pressure is relentless, and the responsibility can be immense. Sometimes, you may feel like you’re navigating through uncharted waters alone. But remember, you’re not in this alone. Connect with other EDs on Facebook, LinkedIn, or your local Association of Fundraising Professionals chapter (AFP). Can’t find a group? Build your own!
2. Engage an executive or leadership coach. Look for an executive coach who specializes in nonprofit management and mediation. Their expertise in facilitation and running retreats can be invaluable, not just for you, but for evolving your board’s dynamics.
3. Take care of yourself first. Never underestimate the importance of self-care. If you don’t take good care of yourself, who will? You can’t pour from an empty cup; the world needs your talents. Take inspiration from my friend Beth Kanter’s book, The Happy Healthy Nonprofit, and integrate her self-care practices to start making self-care a priority.
4. Choose your battles wisely. Know when to engage and when to walk away. Every ED and fundraiser deserves a board that understands and respects the role of fundraising and its impact on fulfilling your mission. If your board doesn’t value fundraising, it may be time to consider transitioning to an organization with a thriving culture of philanthropy where your work is valued and you feel appreciated and supported.
5. Maintain an active network. Keep your resume polished and document your achievements. Maintain a personal file of your successes and endorsements from staff and donors to use on your resume or for references or recommendations. An active and up-to-date network is your safety net, ready whenever you need to make a move.
6. Explore conducting a board survey if you want to change the board you have.  Board surveys are a genius way to open up a runway for you to make the changes you want with your board. Since surveys are board-led, you can survey them on areas of weakness—for example, fundraising knowledge, board member engagement, strategic direction, or board member diversity—and report back that “We heard you loud and clear that we need to boost our board’s fluency in fundraising as well as prioritizing recruiting more diverse members and to do that we will…”
7. Consider hiring an outside expert to work with your board. As an ED, you can be recommending a major gift strategy for years, but the second the same recommendation comes from an outside consultant, your board suddenly hears it and is ready to act on it. If you can’t afford to hire outside expertise, consider recruiting a top-notch board member who embraces fundraising from another nonprofit to talk to your board about how their board participates in fundraising.

Great boards are no accident; they take a lot of hard work to build. Navigating board dynamics is no small feat for an ED, but with the right strategies and support, you can not only manage but excel in leading your organization and your board to greater heights.

Need help managing your board?  Grab a copy of Rachel’s eBook, Makeover My Board: How to Lead, Inspire, or Even Fire Your Board, with tips for transforming the board you have and giving “graceful exits” to those who may be underperforming.

The post Navigating the Boardroom: A Nonprofit Leader’s Guide appeared first on Bloomerang.

If so, you’re missing out on what the rest of the nonprofit fundraising world already does: invite donors to give year-round.

Worried that might be too many appeals? Scared your donors might get tired of being asked multiple times and develop donor fatigue? Here’s the good news: as long as you properly thank your donors and report back to them on how their gift made a difference, your donors are ready to be asked again.

How can you start?

Look at your 12-month calendar. Block off whatever month is the peak of your annual fund campaign. Dedicate that month to your annual fund and make it your only ask. Likewise, if you hold a big in-person fundraiser or gala, dedicate that month to just that event rather than other asks.

Depending on when you hold your annual fund or gala, consider running any of the 29 fundraising and stewardship campaigns below in the other months.

January: New Year Resolutions

1. Resolve to give back in the new year by making charitable giving a habit

• Harness the energy of the New Year by inspiring your donors and potential donors to make a resolution that’s easy to keep: committing to give back—or give even more! Invite them to consider a monthly recurring donation as their New Year’s Resolution.
• Recruit a donor (or group of donors) to create a match of gifts up to a certain amount.
• Kick off the campaign with posts from your staff and board spotlighting their resolution to give back.

1. Take the plunge

Every winter, countless brave souls dive into icy waters for the thrill of the Polar Plunge. Why not rally your most adventurous supporters to turn this chilly challenge into a fundraiser for your YMCA? It’s a fantastic peer-to-peer event where participants enlist their social networks to sponsor their frosty dip, all in the name of a great cause. So, get your heartiest supporters ready to take the plunge and raise some funds!

February: Valentine’s Day Appreciation

Valentine’s Day is the perfect unexpected holiday to show your donors the love. How?

1. Send Valentine’s or thank-you notes to donors.
2. Share impact stories or testimonials with donors to let them feel the difference they made—whether it’s a story about how an economically disadvantaged child or family was served through learning how to swim, going to summer camp, securing child care for working parents, health programs, and more.
3. Promote monthly giving to “share the love” all year long with prospects.

March: Spring Fitness Peer-to-Peer Challenge

1. Organize a fitness challenge to promote healthy living and recruit participants to fundraise through a peer-to-peer campaign. Online peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns use individuals as ‘team captains’ to fundraise for you. These individuals create their own fundraising web pages where they can share stories about their experience with your organization and then ask friends and family to donate.

   Pro tip: Kick off with your board giving to make sure leadership volunteers are invested in the event’s success.

2. Highlight the YMCA’s health and wellness programs.
3. Do a campaign for YMCA’s Day of Giving.

April: Volunteer Recognition Month

1. Highlight the contributions of volunteers and their impact.
2. Encourage donations in honor of volunteers.
3. Host a volunteer appreciation event.

May: Mother’s Day Campaign

1. Share stories of mothers and families impacted by the YMCA.
2. Offer donors an option to give in honor of their mothers; your YMCA will send them each a Mother’s Day card, letting them know their son or daughter made a gift in tribute.
3. Host a special Mother’s Day event or class.

June: Summer Camp Appeal

1. Craft an appeal for summer camp scholarships for children in need.
2. Share stories from past campers and the benefits of the camp experience.
3. Host a donor committee to read scholarship applications, award them, and invite the donors to give so all applicants can attend camp.

July: Independence Day Celebration

1. Promote a “Freedom to Play” campaign to support youth programs.

August: Back-to-School Campaign

1. Fundraise for after-school programs and educational support, sharing testimonials from kids in need.
2. Host a back-to-school fair or supply drive.
3. Launch a monthly giving back-to-school campaign soliciting a monthly gift to help kids year-round.

September: Healthy Aging Month

1. Secure a match and fundraise for seniors’ programs spotlighting the importance of healthy aging with testimonials from program participants.

October: Fall Festival Fundraiser

1. Organize a fall festival with activities, food, candy, fun games, and sponsorship opportunities.
2. Share stories of how the YMCA brings the community together.

November: Giving Tuesday and Thanks for Giving

1. Send a gratitude-themed letter, postcard, or email.
2. Share stories of families and individuals who are thankful for the YMCA.
3. Launch a Giving Tuesday campaign.

December: Year-End Giving Campaign

1. Launch a multichannel year-end giving campaign.
2. Send personalized donor thank-you notes and share stories of how their donations have made a difference.

Parting thoughts

Incorporating year-round fundraising into your YMCA’s strategy isn’t just a way to increase donations—it’s a way to build and deepen relationships with your donors.

Creating meaningful and varied campaigns throughout the year keeps your supporters engaged and invested in your mission. Every campaign is an opportunity to connect, to thank, and to inspire them with the lives they are changing through their generosity.

So, dive in and embrace a year-round approach. Your donors are ready, and with thoughtful planning, your YMCA will thrive all year long!

The post Unlock Year-Round Donations: YMCA Fundraising Strategies appeared first on Bloomerang.