Most fund raisers and other nonprofit executives have an elevator pitch—a short speech about their organization that they give whenever they meet people on an elevator, at a social event, or at a conference.
But every pitch can be improved. To offer inspiration, The Chronicle has invited some charity veterans to share their pitches on video…
Geoffrey Canada has turned the Harlem Children’s Zone into what many see as a model charity by taking innovative approaches to traditional problems.
It turns out Mr. Canada approaches fund raising with the same mindset.
Mr. Canada, speaking at a recent meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in New York, said the biggest challenge nonprofit leaders face today is understanding that traditional fund-raising techniques, like writing appeals, are no longer enough to bring in donations.
In a world of ideas where everyone is competing against one another, foundations and charities must have a product that will distinguish itself from the rest, he said.
Mr. Canada is president of the Harlem Children’s Zone, an antipoverty group that provides a comprehensive set of educational, medical, and social services in a 100-block area of Harlem. President Obama has proposed developing…
When it comes to fund raising, nonprofit organizations need to think more strategically about how they can use data and analysis to tell compelling stories about their organization, a panel said at the annual meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in New York.
Nonprofit leaders are not in business simply to collect measurements but also to find a way to use the information to articulate what their mission is and market it to have the strongest impact, said Lisa Mueller, director of development and communications, at Sanctuary for Families.
Julia Jean-Francois, co-director of the Center for Family Life, said that it is the responsibility of nonprofit organizations to provide their donors with a coherent path to reaching their intended goals. Donors will always be supportive of a nonprofit organization’s willingness to take raw data and translate them into credible stories…
When an organization’s board isn’t living up to its potential, how many board members know they are falling short?
In tough economic times, it is more important than ever for nonprofit leaders to be honest with their board members, said Henry Goldstein, president of the Oram Group.
Mr. Goldstein, speaking at a conference held by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in New York on Friday, said organizations need to let their board members know when they are not fulfilling their fund-raising goals.
Too often, however,that does not happen.
To make such messages effective, nonprofit leaders must offer goals that are reasonable, he said. He noted that board members lose heart quickly when confronted with tasks they cannot fulfill and said it is the nonprofit organization’s responsibility to set clear, reachable goals.
In setting those goals, nonprofit leaders need to get to…
Michael R. Chin Quee of Food For the Poor in Coconut Creek, Fla., shares his elevator pitch – the short speech he gives about his organization when he meets prospective donors.
Watch the video to see his technique-and to see how your own pitch stacks up.
Prospecting will highlight more pitches in the coming days. But if you can’t wait to see…
Christine Zini of Aspire in Fayetteville, Arkansas, shares her elevator pitch – the short speech she gives about her organization when she meets prospective donors.
Watch the video to see her technique-and to see how your own pitch stacks up.
Prospecting will highlight more pitches in the coming days. But if you can’t wait to see them…
Ebru Uygun of Tocev Education Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey, shares her elevator pitch – the short speech she gives about her organization when she meets prospective donors.
Watch the video to see her technique-and to see how your own pitch stacks up.
Prospecting will highlight more pitches in the coming days. But if you can’t wait to see the…
Robert Tolmach of Classwish.org in New York, shares his elevator pitch – the short speech he gives about his organization when he meets prospective donors.
Watch the video to see his technique-and to see how your own pitch stacks up.
Prospecting will highlight more pitches in the coming days. But if you can’t wait to see them individually, you…
How can your organization build effective sponsorship programs with companies?
Stacey Goldberg, a senior project director at IEG Advisory Services, recently offered some advice to charity leaders who are looking to pursue corporate-giving relationships.
Lydia Michael of Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., shares her elevator pitch – the short speech she gives about her organization when she meets prospective donors.
Watch the video to see her technique-and to see how your own pitch stacks up.
Prospecting will highlight more pitches in the coming days. But if you can’t wait to see …
Prospecting follows news and trends about fundraising at nonprofits. You’ll find a mix of advice and techniques that have worked for other charitable organizations, as well as updates on new studies and forecasts that will help you do a better job seeking private money.
Holly Hall, who has covered fundraising for more than two decades at The Chronicle, edits the blog. She also writes many of the items, as does reporter Raymund Flandez, who specializes in fundraising innovations, and other Chronicle staff members.
Keep up with Holly Hall on Twitter at @HallHolly and with Raymund Flandez at @Raymundf23.
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