BRAGGING 101

Bragging does not always come easy. Sometimes we brag about the wrong things, but when it comes to the promotion of a charitable organization and the writing of a year-end appeal letter, one cannot brag too much. This is profoundly true when you need to brag on how you spent other people’s money the year prior. After all, a nonprofit is a public trust and the money you spent to increase capacity this year comes from the public, and therefore, they have a right know how the organization spent it.

Most often, the annual report illustrates to the board, and the community at large, the financial well-being of an organization.

There is one other time in the course of the year that you can exhibit bragging rights and use it for fundraising purposes….

…and that time is NOW…..

The year-end appeal letter is most often neglected as a public relations tool. It should be sent to your past donors, as well as prospect donors.

Here are some points that you should include:

• The beginning paragraph should thank the past donors and wish them a happy holiday season. Without their benevolence, there would be no organization. Thank them in the beginning, thank them in the middle and thank them at the end of the letter.
• If the letter is going to a prospect donor, explain how you obtained their name.
• Explain how in 2009 the organization weathered a great challenge (as most did this year) and that regardless of the recession, the charitable organization delivered xyz services to the community. In short order, what was the IMPACT in specific and measurable terms.
• Position the organization to catapult to a new level and explain what the plans are for 2010.
• Finally, ask for a specific amount. Don’t leave it to chance. If your organization has a goal to reach by the end of the calendar year, be specific on how it will be used.
“Your donation of $75 will enable us to start to plan
for 2010 with enthusiasm and optimism.”

Remember, donors NEVER give to distress; they give to success. Make your case for support upbeat and compelling enough that someone will write a check on the spot. It would be too easy to write about how difficult things are this year. PLEASE DON’T DO THAT! Be positive as no one wants one more piece of bad news; your letter will end up in the trash can if it is not motivating.

Your year-end letter must be in the mail by November 1st. It is already getting late as this year we expect a deluge of requests going to donors on behalf of charitable organizations.

If you need help writing a year-end letter, Picasso Strategic Solutions has a staff of writers that can help you.

Don’t miss out on this important fundraising and public relations tool.
BRAG AND BRAG SOME MORE………THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT IF YOU ARE SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

Next blog will tell a bit more on how to enhance your website to receive gifts.

For now,

Lisa E. Benson
President & CEO
Picasso Strategic Solutions, LLC

Raise Your Voice For Nonprofit Success

If you are in the business of nonprofit institutional advancement you are concerned if not downright worried that your organization may not survive the economic tsunami.

…and you are not alone.

It is estimated that there are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. Prof. Paul Light, NYU, has estimated that as many as 200,000 nonprofit organizations will be forced to close their doors!

If you are involved in a nonprofit organization WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What are your concerns? What do you need to stay engaged in your mission?

Nonprofit organizations are most often getting by on a shoe string budget and there is little margin for such things as a massive global recession.

Here are a few reasons why organizations fail to succeed regardless of a sluggish economy:

1. They don’t have a compelling message
2. They don’t articulate their impact on the community or nation. Only 2% of nonprofit organizations are objectively measuring their impact.
3. They don’t have stated goals
4. They don’t have stated objectives to reach goals
5. They don’t self evaluate themselves or their programs
6. They don’t ask for money
7. Their mission statements do not tell “why” they exist
8. They don’t collaborate and are territorial; mergers don’t seem palatable
9. The organization’s founder is set in his/her ways and won’t change strategy
10. The organization has no clue what governance and compliance is; however it will
soon be evident with the new Form 990.


Let us help you by helping us…

Picasso Strategic Solutions will be facilitating several seminars in your local communities on the issues that YOU want to hear regarding nonprofit advancement.

Please write us and let us know what topics you would be most interested in discussing.

With more than 30 years in nonprofit institutional advancement, I/we hope to help you formulate a strategy to maximize your impact in 2010.

Raise Your Voices and Be Heard! We look forward to hearing from you.

For now,

Lisa Benson