A great article that talks about how in 2007, despite the economic slowdown, Americans donated a record setting $306 billion.

In fundraising the best standard to follow to nurture supporters is to contact the individual seven times a year without asking for money.  The most important aspect to keep supporters, expand the supporter base, grow donors and volunteers and have a successful fundraising campaign is being consistent; gather as much information about the potential supporter and recording it. Listed below are many suggestions for opportunities to communicate. Pick seven or come up with your own.

·    January 1 New Year’s Day
·    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday of January)
·    February 14 Valentine’s Day
·    February 18 Presidents Day (3rd Monday of February)
·    April 21 Patriot’s Day (3rd Monday of April)
·    May 11 Mother’s Day (2nd Sunday of May)
·    May 26 Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
·    June 14 Flag Day
·    June 15 Father’s Day (3rd Sunday of June)
·    July 4 Independence Day
·    September 1 Labor Day (first Monday of September)
·    September 2 First day of Ramadan (Islamic, movable based on Lunar calendar)
·    September 11 Patriots Day
·    September 30 - October 1 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish; movable, based on Jewish calendar)
·    October 9 Yom Kippur (Jewish, movable, 9 days after first day of Rosh Hashanah)
·    October 13 Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October)
·    October 14 First day of Sukkot (Jewish; movable, 14 days after Rosh Hashanah)
·    October 20 Last Day of Sukkoth (Jewish)
·    October 31 Halloween
·    November 11 Veterans Day
·    November 27 Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November)
·    December 22 First day of Hanukkah (Jewish; movable, based on Jewish calendar)
·    December 25 Christmas (Christian)
·    December 26 First day of Kwanzaa
·    December 31 New Year’s Eve
·    Newsletter
·    Donors/Volunteers/Friends Birthday

8th Contact used to ask for financial support:
·    Annual fundraising event
·    Annual campaign

TV and the Web have become the natural leader, role model and gospel of truth for most people.  Yes, that’s right electronic machines are what people depend upon for setting their beliefs, priorities and actions.  The initial reaction to any information is that every thing is true.  The problem is that if a statement or action is not true, the harm is already done.   Today, information flow is immediate and so is the reaction.  Leaders of nonprofits have to understand how to use these channels of communication to maximize its impact, promote and protect its message.  There may be a time where leadership may have to be sacrificed to save the nonprofit organization even when it is not fair. 

A great world view article that shows how we can make a difference even from a distance. Click here to read more.

A good article that talks about how the American Red Cross has had to borrow in excess of $15 million to respond to the series of disasters in the Mid West because they have had so many disasters to deal with.

John Hancock was not liked by England. He had lots of ships and signed the constitution.  England called him a bad guy.  Our country called him a good guy.  He is such a good guy I did my project on him.  He was a wise leader. He had lots lots of money.  He had lots of jobs and made more money.

George Washington fought a lot and was the first president.  He led lots of people in fights. No not fist fights.  Big huge battles.   He was so good he won our country.  He decided to share with everyone.  As the leader of the country he was a wise leader.  Everybody listen to him.  My friends and I called him the big cheese. 

From Papa:

The one pattern that is consistent in history is the victor writes the official history.  The other two factors is that time does heal and economics is ultimately the strongest influence to move anyone individual or group towards the desired outcome.

John Brown - The famed abolitionist leader would probably be labeled as an “Insurgent” and a terrorist by our current government and those labels would be repeated by the many media sources without much critique or analysis.  Whether one believes the fact that he was fighting against injustice for the rights of oppressed people, his resistance would be intolerable.  Therefore, I ask you to wonder how many leaders are considered marginalized “Insurgents” in their field of work today.  I further challenge you on whether the discomfort of any particular insurgent might be remembered more fondly in the future, as some remember the noble fight of John Brown.   Strives in societies evolution did not occur with the acceptance of the norm, but with individuals willing to be first.  As a leader or in selecting leadership consider whether the risks of being first are worth it, if ultimately society is better off?    As a leader or in selecting leadership consider whether the risks of evolving the nonprofit are worth it, if ultimately society is better off?

For more detailed information on John Brown check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)

Lord Jeffery Amherst who is reputed to have given blankets contaminated with smallpox to the Native Americans in hopes of wiping him out, thus making him one of history’s first Bio-Terrorists. Regardless of whether that actually happened, Lord Amherst is known to have endorsed the concept and called for the “extirpation” of Native Americans in his own writing. Despite that history, he is admired by many Americans even to this day. His name adorns some great institutions and several towns and counties in the United States and Canada. I highlight his legacy because of his connection to both government and a nonprofit education institution. The second reason I highlight his legacy is that the past can come back to haunt an organization. There are many businesses that have been identified even presently of links to war time actions of their past former leaders and their actions required the companies to make financial arrangements in response in present day value. While today it may be difficult to prove that the wealth of a nonprofit was built upon the funds earned by inappropriate actions of a former leader, just the accusation can cause sufficient financial harm if the assets of a nonprofit are not large enough to weather the furor. It is better to be up front and take action once information is known.

For more history on the evolution of Lord Jeffrey Amherst’s reputation check out : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Amherst

A great article that talks about how student all across the country learned the art of fund raising by getting money to benefit their peers in Darfur.

Recently the Boston Foundation released a study on the state of nonprofits in Massachusetts.  While the report  focused on Massachusetts I recommend it as a resource for every nonprofit.  I would suggest that while reading the report you consider four questions.

1. How can outsourcing maximize the organizations assets and resources and lower its costs?
2. How could being part of a cooperative maximize the organizations assets and resources and lower its costs?
3. What is the status of the organizations strategic plan?
4. What succession planning has been completed by the organization?

You may click on link to the report to go to the Boston Foundation web site and download the report.  Please note the report is PDF and is over 100 pages.