Stan Hutton

People form nonprofit organizations in order to work toward changing some condition in the world, either for a specific group of people or for society in general. The overall goal or purpose of a nonprofit is known as its mission. Taking the time needed to clearly outline a nonprofit’s mission is time well spent because the mission guides the activities of the organization, helps the nonprofit’s directors decide how to allocate resources wisely, and serves as a measure for evaluating the accomplishments of the group.

If you have good technology support and a website that includes a system for securely collecting money, you can insert your own “donate now” button. However, many nonprofits find it easier to contract with a “donate now” service. The number of options available can be daunting. When choosing one, think about the giving experience both from the point of view of your nonprofit and from the perspective of your donor.

After you have survey results, you will need to utilize the responses to help you better market your nonprofit. You can compile the responses by hand or use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheet to tally responses. Of course, if you’ve used an online surveying service, it will compile the answers for you.

You may never discover who reads about your nonprofit organization in the newspaper or sees your sign every day on the bus, but some people — those with whom you directly communicate — can be identified. Start by defining your core group — your most important constituents — and work out from there.Suppose that your organization is a small historical society that organizes exhibits and panel discussions at three libraries in your town, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and maintains a website featuring news and information about its collection.

What if no existing building suits your nonprofit organization’s needs? You may be in for a major effort to substantially renovate a space or construct a new building. If you’re one of these brave and hardy types, here is some information you might need before you jump into the project.Even a small organization with the right board and campaign leadership can manage a successful capital campaign if its expectations are reasonable.

Before your nonprofit takes on a capital campaign, you should be aware of the benefits and risks of your undertaking. Although you may describe your request for capital support as a one-time need to potential supporters, many campaign donors continue to give after you finish the campaign project. They’ve been introduced to the agency, they’ve left their names in its lobby or attached to a scholarship fund, and they want to be sure that it succeeds over time.

Generally, a grant writer develops a proposal by talking with staff members, volunteers, or the board about a project idea. Before setting fingers to keyboard, the writer should investigate the following: What is the demonstrated need in the community for the work you intend to do? Who are the constituents who will benefit from your efforts?

When it’s time to host a special event for your nonprofit, make your invitation something your potential guests will open and remember. If it’s a physical invitation, addressing the envelope by hand and using stamps rather than metered postage makes it look more personal, and an intriguing phrase or logo on the outside may lead to its being opened.