If vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment »
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Most Topular Stories
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
Holy Kaw!16 May 2012 | 1:31 pm -
Back to Basics – How to set up a Facebook Fan Page for your nonprofit
FirstGiving Blog16 May 2012 | 12:00 amFacebook Fan Pages are a great way to reach your supporters in a social community. Here’s why. Facebook Fan Pages are specific pages for a variety of users, including businesses, organizations, celebrities, or any other institution. It’s important to engage with your supporters in a social space, like many nonprofits have done already. Here’s a quick read on how you can set up a Facebook Fan Page for your organization and interact with you supporters through social media. First steps: Choose your page type Go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php. If you’re logged in… -
Campaign Volunteer Recruitment
A Small Change21 Apr 2012 | 12:21 pmIs it better to commit a campaign commmittee member to giving and a job description or engage them slowly? The simple answer is yes. If you have volunteers that you can go to and ask to get heavily involved in campaign fundraising, it is always prefered to set high expectations from the start. However, most organizations do not have a large quantity of major gifts level volunteers who are willing to invite there friends to join them in giving. And, if your organization does have these people they are likely on your board. Practically you will seed your committee with a couple of solid board… -
Neglecting Your Fundraising = Neglecting Your Mission
The Fundraising Authority16 May 2012 | 7:29 amI can’t tell you how many non-profit executive directors and board members I talk with that say things like: “We really need to raise more money, but we just don’t have the time or people to do it.” Or “Our organization needs to hire a development director to grow, but we just can’t afford it.” When I ask these non-profit leaders why they need to raise more money, their answer universally boils down to the fact that they want to serve more people with higher quality services, and need money to do it. My answer to them is always the same: If you need more money to serve more…
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Holy Kaw!
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
16 May 2012 | 1:31 pmIf vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
Dirty Disney cartoons? [video]
16 May 2012 | 1:16 pmIt’s hard to imagine Disney cartoons have ever been the subject of censorship, but like many beloved cartoons, there’s a seamier side that’s bound to offend if you get the references. Such was the case with “The Shindig” where Clarabelle Cow’s exposed udders were deemed too risqué for Ohio audiences as was her reading material; Three Weeks was an early example of “women’s mass market erotic fiction.” As the old saying goes, "What happens in the barn, stays in the barn." Full story at Neatorama. The evil underbelly of Disney. -
Mammals may not get to cool climates in time
16 May 2012 | 12:09 pmNine percent of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals—and up to 40 percent in some regions—may not be able to outpace climate change. “I think it’s important to point out that in the past when climates have changed—between glacial and interglacial periods when species ranges contracted and expanded—the landscape wasn’t covered with agricultural fields, four-lane highways and parking lots, so species could move much more freely across the landscape,” says Joshua Lawler, associate professor of environmental and forest sciences at University of… -
Time of year matters for vitamin D risk
16 May 2012 | 12:08 pmWhen considering a patient’s blood vitamin D levels, it may be best to consider a lower threshold for concern, as well as the time of year. "In evaluating health risk," the University of Washington researchers conclude, "season-specific targets for Vitamin D blood concentration may be more appropriate than a static target when evaluating patients health risk." Full story at Futurity. More research news from top universities. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
The (not so correct) anatomy of sea life
16 May 2012 | 11:52 amMarine biology, scharine schiology. Pleated Jeans skips scientific facts for its series of sea life diagrams. Via Pleated Jeans. (H/T @laughingsquid) Laughing is good for you. Permalink | Leave a comment »
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FirstGiving Blog
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Back to Basics – How to set up a Facebook Fan Page for your nonprofit
16 May 2012 | 12:00 amFacebook Fan Pages are a great way to reach your supporters in a social community. Here’s why. Facebook Fan Pages are specific pages for a variety of users, including businesses, organizations, celebrities, or any other institution. It’s important to engage with your supporters in a social space, like many nonprofits have done already. Here’s a quick read on how you can set up a Facebook Fan Page for your organization and interact with you supporters through social media. First steps: Choose your page type Go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php. If you’re logged in… -
Addressing the digital divide when fundraising online
15 May 2012 | 12:00 amAccording to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the digital divide refers to any “inequalities between groups, broadly construed, in terms of access to, use of, or knowledge of information and communication technologies.” When we speak about the digital divide in peer-to-peer fundraising we are talking about how individuals and nonprofit organizations are hindered by the fact that other parties around them have not adopted or have access to the technology required to make online fundraising happen. Though it can refer to both the individual and nonprofit, the challenges usually… -
Fundraising Idea – Donations in lieu of graduation gifts
14 May 2012 | 12:00 amAsking for donations to your favorite nonprofit in lieu of gifts is something we see very often for a number of different occasions. With graduation season in bloom, consider asking for donations at your graduation celebration. This could be a fantastic way to make this landmark event even more meaningful. When sending out your party invites, whether it be online or in print, include the url to your fundraising page to encourage invitees to make a donation to the cause you’ve chosen. Include some information about the nonprofit and why you have decided to for go gifts for this cause. -
Donate Now Button series: Take donations in multiple locations
11 May 2012 | 12:00 amStreamlining your donation process and providing multiple avenues for your donors to contribute is the last piece of the donation puzzle. Not all of your supporters will come in contact with your organization directly through your website. Be sure you have donation options wherever a donor may connect with you. We provide you with a Facebook Donate tabs for taking donations on Facebook, and spreading the word virally. Similar donation widgets can be embedded on a blog as well. Keep the donation process simple It’s important to make the online donation process as seamless as possible. Limit… -
Donate Now Button series: Communicate your ideal donation method
10 May 2012 | 12:00 amYour donors may be unaware of the number of choices they have to contribute to your organization. Let’s change that. Not all donation methods are created equal Some donation processes are preferred by some organizations over others; for example, perhaps processing checks is a pain for your volunteer-run organization. Be sure to clearly list your preferred donation methods, whether it be online or by check, making it clear that there are multiple options for your donors to contribute is important. Equate donations to physical impact Another great way to suggest a donation amount to your…
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A Small Change
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Campaign Volunteer Recruitment
21 Apr 2012 | 12:21 pmIs it better to commit a campaign commmittee member to giving and a job description or engage them slowly? The simple answer is yes. If you have volunteers that you can go to and ask to get heavily involved in campaign fundraising, it is always prefered to set high expectations from the start. However, most organizations do not have a large quantity of major gifts level volunteers who are willing to invite there friends to join them in giving. And, if your organization does have these people they are likely on your board. Practically you will seed your committee with a couple of solid board… -
An Ask is An Ask
7 Mar 2012 | 8:52 pmYou may have heard a guideline, “ask for three times what you’d like a donor to give.” This is a mantra that’s often used as a technique to get a stretch gift. That guideline is a very poor rule of thumb. A good ask is one the donor feels they could stretch to make but does not feel like is out of their ability. The magic of asking for a specific amount is that you can encourage a donor to think about a larger gift than they would traditionally do. If a donor has said yes to you soliciting them for a gift, then they have already indicated that they are… -
It’s All Greek to Me
6 Feb 2012 | 6:12 pmI recently joined a committee that funds social services projects in the city in which I live. At one of our meetings the committee was discussing setting our funding guidelines. I’ve been a part of the grant writing process for many years and have seen the result of some of the stranger and more involved funding questions. Maybe it was just my revenge on the funders but I realised quickly that funders and nonprofits do not always speak the same language. The intention behind a funding guideline does not always translate into the intended results. Here are a couple of examples that came… -
Fundraising is Not a Narcotic
23 Jan 2012 | 9:48 pmOver the last few months I have been secretly peddling drugs. My blog was hacked and, unknown to me, written into the metadata was advertising for a narcotic. I’m very sorry that I did not catch it sooner. I deleted my site and reposted everything and have solved the problem. I was thinking about what I want my website to be about and I reflected on what fundraising is about. There is not a lot in common between fundraising and drugs. Fundraising is about capacity building for good work in our communities. It is about providing people a chance they never had before. However some people… -
Don’t Forget Your $1,000 Gifts
17 Oct 2011 | 7:00 amEvery organization understands the value of their very top 20 donors. It is easy to see the importance of a $10,000 annual donor. Many organizations have a cut-off as to when the “major gift” starts; often times this is $1,000. Don’t forget the value of those donors that are right at and right before that cut off. This group knows they are not your top donors but are giving because your organization is an area of passion for them. They want you to keep in touch but don’t expect as much attention. (This group is a really great group to talk with about planned gifts. If a donor can give…
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The Fundraising Authority
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Neglecting Your Fundraising = Neglecting Your Mission
16 May 2012 | 7:29 amI can’t tell you how many non-profit executive directors and board members I talk with that say things like: “We really need to raise more money, but we just don’t have the time or people to do it.” Or “Our organization needs to hire a development director to grow, but we just can’t afford it.” When I ask these non-profit leaders why they need to raise more money, their answer universally boils down to the fact that they want to serve more people with higher quality services, and need money to do it. My answer to them is always the same: If you need more money to serve more… -
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The Fundraising Accelerator
14 May 2012 | 8:32 pmAs you’ve probably seen from our newsletter, this week we’ve opened up registration for our new Fundraising Accelerator Consulting program. Today, I want to take the opportunity to answer some of the most common questions I have received about the class. If you have other questions that aren’t answered below, please send me an e-mail. What Is Fundraising Accelerator Consulting? Fundraising Accelerator Consulting is a consulting program targeted specifically at small and medium-sized non-profits. My goal for this program is to offer professional fundraising strategy and counsel to… -
3 Tips for Successfully Working with Fundraising Consultants
14 May 2012 | 12:35 pmI often get asked about best practices for non-profits that are interested in working with fundraising consultants. As a fundraising consultant, I definitely see the value in consulting for organizations both small and large. Yet, far too many non-profits aren’t sure about how to get the most from a consulting relationship. If you’re using a fundraising consultant, or are thinking about it, here are three tips for maximizing the value of the consultant to your organization: 1. Figure out What You Want If your organization isn’t sure what type of help it needs, a consultant… -
Accelerating Your Fundraising at Small and Mid-Sized Non-Profits
10 May 2012 | 9:36 pmLet’s face it… small and mid-sized non-profits have different fundraising needs than major organizations. At large non-profits, there are dozens of professional fundraisers utilizing outside consultants as needed. At smaller non-profits, there are one, two, or maybe three staff members responsible for fundraising, and affording consultants is just a dream… At large non-profits, you’ve already got a five-year fundraising plan in place, cultivation strategies laid out, and can afford to attend national development training seminars. At smaller non-profits,… -
Fundraising Authority Podcast #6: How to Motivate Board Members to Help You Fundraise
9 May 2012 | 11:26 amHaving the support of your board of directors is crucial for your organization’s fundraising success. Ideally, your board would serve as a key resource, helping you make connections, opening up their rolodexes, and constantly networking on your behalf. For many non-profits though, this simply doesn’t happen. In today’s podcast, we talk about the five key reasons why board members are reluctant to help with fundraising, and what your non-profit can do to overcome those objections and motivate them to help: Also, please note that The Fundraising Authority Podcast is now…
