Idealware

The world of nonprofit data is full of buzzwords and jargon that gets tossed around a lot, often indiscriminately. Some of those words have specific definitions that are subtly — and sometimes completely — different from how they’re being used, while others are vague to the extent that they become almost meaningless.

What do we mean when we talk about measuring “impact” or using “big data”? Both those words have clear definitions but are often used ambiguously.

Recent tweets on nonprofit technology (#nptech).

It doesn’t matter how many foundations, individual donors, local and regional governments, and other funders believe in your organization and can donate financial support to it if those donors can’t find you and put you on their radar. Researching grants and prospects is the first step in the process, and navigating the upper levels of major-gift fundraising often requires a different approach than individual gift campaigns.

Recent tweets from folks you should be following.

DonorPerfect organizes your constituent data in one unified database. It has easy to use constituent relationship management tools for making smarter, timelier decisions that help you raise more money for your cause. Two nonprofits, N-TEN and Idealware, gave DonorPerfect the most 'excellent ratings' in their donor management systems’ report. 

Good grantwriters have a unique perspective with respect to nonprofit organizations: We know what grantmakers want to hear, and we know what we'd like to be able to put into grant proposals. But when conspicuous gaps begin to show up in proposals, what should you — the grantwriter — do? Here are six elements of a good proposal that often are missing or inadequate, and some resources to help you and your employer/client address the problems they might be hiding.

Our innovation research suggested that some myth busting is in order. People often think of innovation as futuristic, cutting-edge technology, but we found that many nonprofits are innovating with straightforward technologies. For example, HOWA Family Center switched from e-mail to text messaging as a more effective way to communicate with teen mentors. We also found that innovation can be low-cost. Many nonprofits successfully use existing technology to innovate in subtle ways, implementing solutions that are often both low-cost and effective.

Fundraising researcher Adrian Sargeant found that “improving donor retention by just 10 percent can double the lifetime value of your donor database.” So how do you capture those lovely LYBUNTs (Last-Year-But-Not-This-Year donors)? We suggest more strategic and more frequent or targeted communications (surprise!). Here are some approaches you should try at home.

As nonprofits have increasingly turned to social media, policies to govern their use have become the new frontier. It can be difficult for organizations to find examples that fit their needs. A good social media policy will provide clear guidelines as to what staff should and shouldn’t do when posting and interacting with the community on a day-to-day basis, freeing them up to think more strategically. But what’s involved in creating one?

DonorPerfect Fundraising Software announced that nonprofit organizations that use DonorPerfect and collected online donations in both 2011 and 2012 on #GivingTuesday, realized an increase of 46 percent over last year. #GivingTuesday, the campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season, encouraged thousands of nonprofit organizations to “Get out the Give” this holiday season.