Fundraising Archives - Page 8 of 10

31May 2005 by Bob Cargill

A List of Nonprofit Blogs

In preparing for my luncheon presentation for the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association on Why Nonprofits Should Blog (Tuesday, June 7, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at the Lenox Hotel in Boston), I have come up with a short list (below) of nonprofit organizations who have already established a presence in the blogosphere. If you’re in attendance next week (you can register here), you’ll hear me and special guest speaker, Emerson College faculty member Dr. Todd S. Gernes, offer kudos to these prescient organizations for being early adopters of an online communications platform that will likely have been put into play by more nonprofits than not come this time next year. Nonprofit Blogs Greenpeace Action Without Borders The Sierra Club The Nonprofit and Foundation Advocacy Blog The South-East Asia Earthquake and…

04May 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Why Nonprofits Should Blog

Blogging, Fundraising

A few months ago, I read an article in The NonProfit Times suggesting that most nonprofit organizations don't collect enough feedback from their constituents. I couldn't have agreed more, and said as much in a letter to the editor of the publication. It's as clear as the day is light that many organizations, nonprofit and commercial alike, don't engage openly enough with the marketplace because they're reluctant to leave themselves exposed to the possibility of negative comments and criticism. By not even attempting to close the loop, however, they don't know what people really think about their services, products, mission and values. By keeping their donors and customers at arm's length, they're fostering relationships that, in effect, can't possibly live up to their full potential. ...which is one very big…

12Apr 2005 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Charity: A Personal Fundraising Initiative (Update)

Boston Marathon, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

With only a few days to go before the 109th Boston Marathon, it's a good time for me to follow up on the four-part, 2,637-word article I posted here in A Fine Kettle of Fish a couple of months ago on my experiences running this legendary race for charity. If you read my original piece, you know that I’ve participated in the Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Marathon Charity Program three times already, once for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (in 1996), and twice for The Home for Little Wanderers (in 2002 and 2003). And less than a week from now I’ll be doing everything I can to successfully complete the long, laborious 26 miles and 385 yards from Hopkinton to Boston once again, but this time around for a different charitable…

10Mar 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

The Celtics Are Winning on the Court — and in the Marketing Arena as Well

Advertising, Fundraising, Public Relations

Believe it or not, the Boston Celtics are looking more and more like a team that will not only make the NBA playoffs this year, but one that could legitimately contend for the Eastern Conference championship.Of course, much of such new found optimism is a credit to three-time All-Star Antoine Walker, who recently returned to the team with which he played his first seven seasons in the league. In a handful of games with the Celtics since he was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks just a couple of weeks ago, Antoine is playing like the rejuvenated veteran he is, and his teammates seem to have stepped up their game as a result.Those who follow the Celtics have also responded enthusiastically in kind, packing the FleetCenter – on July 1, to…

22Feb 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Why You Should Test Wristbands Now

Direct Marketing, Fundraising

If you don't wear one yourself, chances are someone you know wears one of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's yellow LIVESTRONG wristbands – after all, 33 million of them have already been distributed by this nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer prevention and survivorship.But yellow isn’t the only color people – on behalf of their favorite charities – are wearing on their wrists these days.Indeed, the phenomenal, overwhelming success the Lance Armstrong Foundation has had with yellow wristbands has caused nonprofits everywhere to sit up, take notice and adopt the very same idea, launching fundraising campaigns of their own around colored silicone rubber wristbands that symbolize their respective causes.For instance, fans of the Boston Celtics can now demonstrate their support of their favorite basketball team by wearing a green, “I am a…

18Feb 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Breakthrough Fundraising Trends, Strategies and Tactics

Direct Marketing, Fundraising

In the January/February 2005 issue of FundRaising Success magazine, Tim Burgess' column ("Because It Matters") explores "The Fundraising Landscape, Circa 2005," pointing out that “the smartest fundraisers are paying attention to what promises to be next in breakthrough fundraising trends, strategies and tactics that will revolutionize the way funds are raised in the years ahead.”“So get on board if you want to ride the coming surge of fundraising effectiveness,” writes Burgess, co-founder of the Domain Group, providing readers with a handful of great recommendations, including but not limited to the following:Diversify Your Channels (“Acquiring new donors is like managing your stock portfolio: Diversification is crucial to minimizing risk and maximizing return on investment.”)Bond With New Donors (“The biggest mistake nonprofits make is failing to pay close attention to new donors…

07Feb 2005 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Charity: A Personal Fundraising Initiative (Part Four)

Boston Marathon, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

Ten weeks from today, I'll be running the Boston Marathon for the seventh time in my life, the fourth time for charity. This year, I'll be running it for Children's Hospital Boston. Children's Hospital Boston is a 325-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care. As the largest pediatric medical center in the United States, Children's offers a complete range of health care services for children from 15 weeks gestation through 21 years of age (and older in special cases). Children's records approximately 18,000 inpatient admissions each year, and its more than 150 outpatient programs and emergency services care for more than 300,000 patients annually. The hospital also performs 120,000 radiological examinations every year. For the 15th year in a row, Children's Hospital Boston was recently rated one of the nation's…

31Jan 2005 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Charity: A Personal Fundraising Initiative (Part Three)

Boston Marathon, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

After running for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in 1996, it wasn't until 2002 that I legged out the 26 miles and 385 yards between Hopkinton and Boston again for charity, only this time it was for a different charitable organization, The Home for Little Wanderers. Founded in 1799, The Home is a nationally renowned, private, non-profit child and family service agency providing services to more than 10,000 children and families each year. Compared to some of the larger nonprofits taking part in the Boston Marathon Charity Program (such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), The Home Team was a relatively small team – but our individual fundraising goals were comparable. In exchange for the opportunity to run Boston officially, we were required to raise a minimum of $2,500 each, a…

24Jan 2005 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Charity: A Personal Fundraising Initiative (Part Two)

Boston Marathon, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

I may have clocked my best time ever for this race the first time I ran it – as a “bandit” – in 1981 (3:34:24), but the best experiences I have had in Boston have been when I have run the marathon for charity.Indeed, for those who are running it for a charitable organization, this historic marathon is not just an enormous challenge, it’s also an opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives, a good way to feel like a champion come race day even though you may be pulling up the rear.The Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Marathon Charity Program is the quintessential pledge-based fundraising event for the average runner who otherwise might never have the chance to officially take part in such an elite competition.It’s a classic…