EVENT: Fearless Fundraising in a Turbulent Economy September 17

Renowned author, fundraising expert, and researcher Penelope Burk will present a high-impact seminar, Fearless Fundraising in a Turbulent Economy, on Friday, September 17 from 9:30AM-2PM. Burk is an author, researcher, and mentor celebrated for some of the most important innovations in modern-day fundraising.

In a rapidly evolving world, fundraising cannot shield itself from change. But making the right choices when resources are so limited and competition so fierce is the challenge that every non-profit faces. At Burk's seminar, attendees will get practical advice on how to connect more effectively with supporters, learn what donors need to know in the current environment, and discover how organizations can master their fundraising message to inspire future contributions. Burk will also share what motivates donors to stay loyal and give more generously, how the recession has motivated donors to make changes in how they give, what American donors want from their philanthropic relationships, and which fundraising methods are gaining and losing popularity. 

The seminar, which is $75 for AFP members and $85 for non-members, will be held at the Champaign Country Club and includes lunch.

A decade ago, Burk introduced the non-profit industry to the concept of donor-centered fundraising, transforming the way organizations communicate with donors and bringing fundraising in line with donors' needs. Her research challenges long-standing but ineffective fundraising practices and showcases evidence-based methods that raise more money. She has over 30 years of experience in non-profit management and consulting.

RSVP by Friday, September 10. Click here to learn more information about the seminar, including registration details.

The event is sponsored by the East Central Illinois chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and co-sponsored by do good Consulting, McKinley Church & Foundation , UIUC's Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, and the University of Illinois Foundation. Full participation in the program is applicable for 4.0 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Q&A: Facebook and Non-profits

Q: How can my organization make the most effective use of Facebook?
- Online in Oak Park

A: This is a question that a lot of non-profit organizations are asking. Now that Facebook boasts 500 million users, it makes a lot of sense for your organization to have a presence there.

When starting out, it’s important to keep in mind that Facebook, like most social media tools, is all about relationship-building. The emphasis is on connecting with others, building a network, and sharing thoughts and information. It’s a great way to connect people to your organization and to each other.

The challenge is that the primary activity of social networking is intangible. It rarely leads directly to donations, memberships, or volunteers. In building a social network, you build recognition, loyalty, and connections – which can lead some individuals to a greater commitment to your organization, but in many cases merely builds a larger group of supporters who are loosely connected to the organization.

Your organization’s use of Facebook will be most effective if you have people managing it who are digital natives – in this case, staff, board members, and/or volunteers who are already avid Facebook users and who spend a lot of time there. Because of their experience “living” in that environment, they will already know what works and what doesn’t.

When launching your organization’s Facebook page, there are three steps to plan:

1. Create the Facebook page: Putting up a basic page is the easy part. Facebook’s Help Center does a pretty good job of walking users through the process.
2. Publicize your Facebook page: There are a lot of different ways to get the word out about your Facebook page. The best way to start is by inviting people connected with the organization who are Facebook users to “Like” your page. When those individuals “Like” the page, it will get posted to their News Feed, where their friends will see it – and hopefully decide to also check out your page. After that, there are a lot of ways to tell people about your page – including all the ways you’re already staying in touch with supporters, such as your website, e-newsletter, paper mailings, business cards, etc.
3. Posting content: Just as your organization should have a general communications plan – a road map for what messages you’re sending out to supporters, when, and how – it’s important to have a plan for posting to Facebook. Decide how often you want your organization’s “Friends” to see your posts in their News Feeds, and then make a plan for posting short but meaningful updates for them to see.

That’s it, in three quick, easy steps!

That said, there are actually a lot of nuances to creating and managing a good Facebook presence. If you want a little extra advice, don’t hesitate to contact us here at do good. (I admit I’m a Facebook addict – you might as well let that work in your favor.)

- Jenn Raley Miller, Management & Communications Specialist, do good Consulting

ONE SIMPLE ACT: Register for Penelope Burk's semimar

In each month’s Doing Good, you’ll find one great tip to implement over the next month. By taking this one small, achievable action each month, you can make big changes in your organization’s and your own performance, increase donations and volunteerism, and expand your group’s visibility. Give it a try!

This month's ONE SIMPLE ACT focuses on FUNDRAISING.

In a rapidly evolving world, fundraising cannot shield itself from change. But making the right choices when resources are so limited and competition so fierce is the challenge that every non-profit faces. How do you compete and raise money for your cause?

September's ONE SIMPLE ACT is:
Take 5 minutes out of your day today to register for Penelope Burk's seminar, Fearless Fundraising in a Turbulent Economy. It might be the most important thing you do for your organization's fundraising efforts this year. For just $75, hear an internationally known and respected fundraising expert share groundbreaking information on fundraising that you can put to work for your organization for years to come. How can you pass up that opportunity? Register today! 

GROUP PROFILE: Flatlander Fund

In Champaign-Urbana, there was a young man known around town as “The Chocolate Man”. Always on his bike (never a car!) and often wearing homemade knit caps and always sporting a smile, Dan Schreiber made a huge impact on his community in six short years.

Dan was the genius behind Flatlander Chocolate, Illinois’ only ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate maker. His operation roasted, tempered, and molded chocolates literally from bean to bar, something few others in the country even do. The result was considered by some to be among the finest chocolate in the world.

On July 27, the community was shocked to hear of Dan’s death. He was only 24.

Dan’s enthusiasm for great food didn’t stop at chocolate. Dan was a change-maker and a dreamer, and he was passionate about creating a community kitchen in Champaign-Urbana – a place where small food businesses and food artisans would be cultivated and local foods would be created and shared. Dan and friends had been discussing such a kitchen before his death.

People across Champaign-Urbana are mourning for their friend, a man who could put a smile on anyone’s face and who shared his love of life – and chocolate – with so many.

To honor Dan and his dream of a community kitchen, friends and family came together to create the Flatlander Fund , dedicated to bringing the community kitchen project to fruition. It would be a shared space with a certified kitchen available to community members interested in cultivating small food-based businesses (think bread, candy, sausage, jams, catering, etc.) and teaching others about nutrition, cooking, and healthy eating. It would be a place where food artisans could sell their wares and combine their talents, learning from and supporting one another.

On Sunday, August 29, the Flatlander Fund held its first fundraising event, a dinner that raised over $4,000 in just three hours. The next special event in the works is a chocolate auction this fall where Dan’s remaining chocolates will be live-auctioned off, along with other artisanal foods and local art.

Dan was a brilliant guy brave enough to follow his dreams and make the world better along the way. His passing has left a hole in the community, but that community is coming together through the Flatlander Fund to create a kitchen that will cultivate food entrepreneurs, share great food with the community, help teach others about food, and breathe life into Dan Schreiber’s dream.

To learn more about the Flatlander Fund, Dan, and his dream of a community kitchen, see www.flatlanderfund.org and http://rememberingdan.org or email info@flatlanderfund.org. For project updates and event announcements, click the "Add As A Friend" button on facebook.com/flatlanderfund.

- by Laura Huth. Laura is President & CEO of do good Consulting and is volunteering her time and expertise in organizational development to help launch and grow the Flatlander Fund.

YOU'RE INVITED! do good Networking Event: Wednesday, September 8, 5-7PM

On Wednesday, September 8 from 5-7PM, do good Consulting will host September's Networking Event for the Urbana Business Association. The public is invited to attend.

Please join do good, other Urbana and area businesses, and local residents for A Local Foods Extravaganza, a celebration and sampling of fresh local foods, including:

• Gourmet meats from This Little Piggy
• Farmstead goat and sheep cheeses from Prairie Fruits Farm
• Fresh local fruits and veggies from Common Ground Food Co-op
• Delicious caramel-laced brownies from LA Gourmet Catering
• Wine from the Corkscrew Wine Emporium
• And more!

do good Consulting is located at 201 W. Green in downtown Urbana, on the southwest corner of Race and Green streets. Click here for more information. See you on Wednesday, September 8!

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do good Consulting
URBANA OFFICE
201 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801
217-778-1687
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