Driven

Purchasing nonprofit software can be risky.

Searching for new fundraising software can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure what to look for in a vendor.

If you are interested in learning how to choose your next fundraising solution, follow the link to download our guide on The 5 Worst Traits of Nonprofit Software and How to Avoid Them.

https://www.trustdriven.com/5-worst-traits

Do you know what the second most popular search engine in the world is? It’s YouTube! Not only that, it’s the second most visited website in the world.

Whether you’re looking to market or fundraise for your organization, there are so many opportunities to take advantage of, especially since video is such a versatile medium.

So let’s dive into how you can take advantage of the platform and its fundraising features.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/how-your-nonprofit-can-raise-money-and-find-donors-on-youtube

Do you know Diven has a newsletter! ✨

📬 Sign up to have the latest in nonprofit news, tips and strategies delivered straight to your inbox

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs

We have all logged into Facebook at some point and seen a friend or family member sharing a fundraiser for their favourite charity, especially on their birthday!

It's great to support a cause you love but not fantastic to grow your nonprofit's database. However, using Facebook's fundraising features alongside an integrated strategy can help you improve your reach while also reaching new donors!

Learn more about how to use Facebook here: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/how-to-use-the-different-facebook-fundraising-features-2

Legacy gifts can help leave a positive mark on the communities they are a part of.

Some people tend to shy away from the thought of legacy giving, but it needs to be discussed. These incredibly thoughtful gifts offer an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on their community and contribute to something greater than themselves.

It can be difficult to think about mortality, but looking at it positively can lead to important and meaningful conversations with your donors.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/how-your-nonprofit-can-encourage-legacy-gifts

Leadership is more than managing a team, it is being a person who embodies the future goals and aspirations of your nonprofit. 🏆

There are no definitive "rules” or principles that leaders are expected to follow but there are common expectations that are frequently seen amongst leaders.

However, there are values and guiding principles that do make up good leadership.

📚 Read on: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/5-guiding-principles-for-nonprofit-leaders

Need some help boosting engagement online?

Here are 5 Ideas For Securing Quick Donations On Social Media

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/5-ideas-for-securing-quick-donations-on-social-media

A monthly giving program is a sustainable way to fundraise while building a community of loyal supporters. If you have large to mid-size donors passionate about your work, it may be worth looking into turning them into recurring donors.

Stephan King the current President and CEO of Growth Force has used the strategy to raise over $20 million and increase growth in his organization by over 300%. He gives advice on how to approach donors and create a program that works.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/stephan-king-on-increasing-your-nonprofit-s-outcomes

Check out our guest blog on Volunteer Success!

https://www.volunteersuccess.com/learning-centre/volunteermanagementsoftware

Volunteer Resource And Learning Centre | Volunteer Success Use our Volunteer Resource & Learning Centre to stay up to date with news and information about volunteering. Access articles, blogs and more volunteering resources!

Text to Donate Fundraiser shine as a response to a crisis or natural disaster, but could he be a good addition to your regular fundraising mix?

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/how-to-take-your-text-to-donate-campaign-to-the-next-level

So you're thinking of purchasing new nonprofit software, which is great!

But do you know what red flags to look out for? When shopping, keep an eye out for

🔴 Unbelievably low costs: If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Think about the time and effort that price will actually get your organization.

🔴 Not considering your data: how can you really understand what is needed for the implementation process without looking at the most important factor, your data!

🔴 Saying not showing: promises are great, but seeing really is believing. Ask vendors to show you how to perform your most popular use-cases.

There is room for charities on TikTok!

With 850 million active users and an incredibly intelligent algorithm, it might be the perfect place to reach a whole new group of supporters.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/tiktok-for-charity-the-ultimate-guide

You put a lot of work into finding donors, but what about your donation page?

Just because a donor has made it to your donation page, doesn’t mean you have their donation. There are still things you can do to improve your page and increase donation rates. The design, images and text copy are all important factors that affect your donor’s decision.

Driven’s Director of Partnerships, Farrah Rooney has been in the industry for over 15 years, working as a consultant, strategist and events manager. Having worked closely with our clients to improve their fundraising experience with our donor management software Farrah knows what goes into the donation process.

Learn how below!

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/farrah-rooney-on-how-to-improve-your-donation-process

A merger of nonprofit organizations shouldn’t be the last resort or a response to a financial emergency.

When done correctly, mergers can do great things for your organization and help further your mission.

Learn how at https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/why-merging-with-another-nonprofit-may-best-serve-your-mission

Raising awareness is not enough to find new donors.

Just because someone knows about you doesn't mean they will want to donate!

Jenni Hargrove explains how to build a connection with your audience by focusing on relationships.

Learn how: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/jenni-hargrove-on-turning-supporters-into-donors

Fundraising at its essence is storytelling.

Connecting with donors means showing them how their donation can change the world through the lens of your nonprofit. It requires patience, incredible emotional intelligence and a great story.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/do-you-know-the-4-c-s-of-nonprofit-storytelling

Donor, volunteer and membership management: Driven has it all!

To learn how to save hours of time while keeping costs low and donors happy, visit us at trustdriven.com!

Diversity and inclusion matter, and it's crucial organizations take the steps necessary to actively work on improving their workplace culture and creating a safe space for all employees.

Each person has their own unconscious and conscious bias' that affect how they perceive and treat other people. It is up to us to challenge these thoughts and create a safe that supports and encourages more BIPOC leaders.

Read on: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-within-the-nonprofit-sector

If you ever thought of taking your work internationally, this week's episode of the podcast is for you!

Angel Ribo is based in Texas, but his organization Wisdom for Kids focuses on empowering children in Latin America. But even though Angel is not a part of all of the communities he serves, he can still connect with and motivate these kids by remaining true to their culture, values and heritage.

After doing plenty of testing, research and meeting with leaders of these communities, Wisdom for Kids have created one of the most impactful workshops being offered across the world!

Here is how they did it: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/angel-ribo-on-connecting-with-international-communities

Corporate philanthropy offers a ton of opportunities for your nonprofit to

- Raise money
- build connections and
- promote your organization!

Learn how here: https://www.trustdriven.com/.../the-nonprofit-guide-to...

Shopping for nonprofit software is stressful.

There are so many options to choose from and pressure to find the perfect solution that not only performs well but works within your budget. When shopping for new software, it can be hard to ask the right questions or get the most from your demos if you aren't sure what to look for.

Being a vendor, we know what it's like to be on the other side of the conversation and want to make sure you come prepared for your next sales call with everything you need to make an informed decision.

David Saraiva is the Head of Product at Driven and has helped dozens of nonprofits find the perfect solution for their needs and unique use-cases. Passionate about helping other organizations get the most from their fundraising tools.

He joins us to discuss how you should prepare for your calls, the best questions to ask your vendors and the red flags you have to look out for!

Listen to our interview: https://youtu.be/euPtKr1Cbds

We are so honoured to have our podcast featured in Welp Magazines' list of Top 20 Fundraising Podcasts!

Get access to the full list here: https://welpmagazine.com/20-best-fundraising-podcasts-of-2021/

if you are shopping for new nonprofit software, you have to take the right steps to prepare for implementation. 💡

At Driven, we believe that the implementation process is the most crucial step in onboarding your new software and it has to be done right.

If your vendor is promising a "quick and easy" implementation before looking at your data, that's a huge red flag!

Know how to be prepared with these 5 tips.

Keep it fresh by trying a 24-hour fundraising campaign for your next fundraiser!

Although 24 hours may not seem like a ton of time, the right strategy can help you raise a lot in a short period of time.

It all comes down to:
- setting specific goals
- engaging with your audience
- actively promoting your campaign and of course,
- having fun!

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/have-you-tried-a-24-hour-fundraiser

"We see that there is a close connection between the concept of ubuntu "I am because you are" and philanthropy, which is in the Greek language, termed as the love of humankind. And so they both concepts speak to the innate responsibility we have to take care of each other."

There is so much we can learn from international philanthropists. Mide Akerewusi saw a gap in the charitable sector and asked the question, what do countries outside of the western world interpret philanthropy? How does Africa approach charitable giving?

It turns out what he thought would be a study filled with stats on donations turned out to be a valuable lesson on the nature of giving.

Learn more at https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/mide-akerewusi-on-african-philanthropy-and-the-duality-of-giving

"Make your pitch!” Does that phrase alone make your skin crawl?

Building and maintaining a positive relationship with the media isn’t necessarily difficult. And it should be an important aspect of every nonprofit’s marketing strategy (no matter how large or small your organization!).

However, getting featured in a news outlet or noticed by a journalist does take a certain amount of persistence — especially when you’re first starting out. Ready to get your organization’s name and mission out there on a larger scale? Then the following step-by-step guide for establishing a positive connection with media personnel was created with you in mind.

Read on https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/how-to-pitch-your-nonprofit-to-the-media-without-freaking-out

How To Pitch Your Nonprofit To The Media Without Freaking Out - Blog    

Gamifying your fundraisers not only makes it fun to fundraise but can spark some healthy competition!

Fundraising thermometers keep your supporters updated on your progress and, when done right, can build suspense in your campaign. Here's how: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/fundraiser-thermometre-ideas

How should you approach your nonprofit approach their digital strategy?
What social media should your nonprofit be on?
How does the content on your website effect can answer our searchability on google?

If your organization needs help improving its digital reach, look no further! Sarah Clarke is the Owner of Dufferin Media and can help you're nonprofit get noticed online. She came on the Fundraising Superheroes Podcast last year to discuss how nonprofits can increase their digital following and improve their content.

If you missed her episode, click below to listen!

https://pod.co/fundraising-superheroes/sarah-clarke-on-making-your-organization-stand-out-online

What's it like to work with driven? Here's what our clients had to say

https://youtu.be/qA6o6KvRpps

Driven Client Testimonials What's it like to work with Driven? We strive to achieve these core principles with every interaction with our clients. Laser-focused on your success, our go...

Are you planning to live stream your next event? Here are a few tips to help make it great!

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/our-top-event-live-streaming-tips-for-nonprofits

"Unless we come in contact with those stories of other people, we'll continue to believe the world is just what we can see."

No one can really understand a person's perspective until they live through their experience.

Altough it is impossible to literally see through another person's eyes, stories are the closest thing to seeing the world through a different perspective.

Nneka Allan is a fundraiser and author who has made it her mission to share and collect stories to build empathy and understanding around the injustices BIPOC face in the industry.

Her latest book, Collecting Courage, is a collection of stories of joy, pain and freedom black fundraisers have experienced in the charitable sector.

In our interview, Nneka talks about the creative process behind the book and the incredible power of the first-person narrative.

Listen at https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/nneka-allen-on-building-empathy-using-the-first-person-narrative

A strategic planning facilitator's job is to make sure your meetings are moving forward efficiently and on schedule.

If you find yourself unable to participate in meetings because you have to moderate the conversation fully, they could be an excellent investment for your NPO.

How do age, gender and culture affect giving?

Each generation has its own story to tell, which affects how they perceive charity. Generational giving statistics are a great place to start when learning more about what motivates your donors, but the real information lies within your donor CRM.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/generational-giving-how-to-target-different-generations-of-donors

Some Quick Tips on Email Solicitations:

1. Get Attention With an Interesting Subject Line
Build urgency and get personal by stressing a deadline or using your reader's name. When in doubt, curiosity and shock always intrigue!

2.Personalize Your Messaging
Create segmented mailing lists and make sure your message is not too general. Use your database to look for patterns or common interests between donors and how to address them within the email.

3. Get To The Point
We are huge fans of good storytelling and encourage you to be quick when asking for a donation. Pull readers in with a great intro, then be clear on your ask- like donating to a specific campaign or upgrading to a monthly membership. Get to the point of the email within the first 2 paragraphs!

And above all, don't forget to test and track your success!

Read more: trustdriven.com/blogs/driven-s-top-tips-on-asking-for-donations-with-email

When you’re at a loss for marketing ideas, the temptation can be very strong to spew out statistics at your potential donors. Hopefully, they’ll be able to grasp the impact their support can have for your cause, right?

But human motivation is strongest when emotion is involved, and (needless to say) stats rarely inspire emotion. In order to inspire people to take action, you’ll need to tell a damn good story — but how? By using these 4 incredibly effective storytelling angles for your nonprofit’s next marketing campaign.

Read on at https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/4-powerful-storytelling-angles-for-your-nonprofit-s-next-campaign

Storytelling is the foundation of successful fundraising.

No one knows that better than our latest guest, Michael Kass! As the founder of Story and Spirit, he has helped organizations tell stories that connect them with their support and themselves.

Listen to the full interview: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/michael-kass-on-nonprofit-storytelling-101

It's national volunteer week!

This year the theme is "The Value of One, The Power of Many", which reflects on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness by millions of individuals and the magic that happens when we work together towards a common purpose.

Don't forget to show your appreciation, and if you need some ideas we have a ton: https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/40-volunteer-appreciation-ideas-that-skyrocket-your-retention-rates-2019-ultimate-guide

Have you ever used a donor pyramid in your campaign strategy?

Here is how you can use it to plan out your solicitations and how you should divide your fundraising target amongst donors

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/a-nonprofit-s-guide-to-the-donor-pyramid

There are so many organizations around the world, and it's hard to keep track.

Alex Leonard has the chance of a lifetime to see the elephants in their natural habitat in Sri Lanka. But when he got there, it wasn't the elephants that took his breath away. It was the impact that eco-tourism had on the environment, which inspired his documentary humans and elephants.

In our episode, we discuss the process behind the documentary and why video is such a powerful medium for fundraising.

https://www.trustdriven.com/blogs/alex-leonard-on-content-creation-for-a-cause