January 12, 2015
Nonprofits have a lot on their plates when it comes to fundraising. There are so many different dimensions to consider; from determining the big picture of a campaign to figuring out the best ways to ask individuals and groups to become involved. The rise in the number of available communication channels and methods, such as social media and mobile devices, adds another complex layer to the outreach planning required. However, there's a unique and powerful component of fundraising that may sometimes be overlooked as the emphasis on multichannel communication and online outreach continues to take precedence. Personal outreach to high-level donors still needs to be a major component of fundraising as it is crucial to nonprofit success.
Outreach on a personal level has to be planned, and nonprofits need to consider where and when is the best time to have conversations with past and present donors of large gifts. The value of these personal contacts can't be overlooked. With some strategizing ahead of time and a solid plan, nonprofits can reach some very positive outcomes through these individual contact points.
Past board members: an area of particular focus
One area where nonprofit groups should pay particular attention is maintaining relationships with their past board members. While not all exits from a nonprofit board may be positive, there are plenty of instances where a resignation is handled appropriately and leaves room for future interactions and potential contributions as well.
Nonprofit Quarterly recently discussed the need for charitable organizations to focus on this particular group. It pointed out that past board members' interest in a particular issue and involvement with a specific nonprofit doesn't have to end just because they no longer serve in a regular capacity. If they're given the right level of attention and have unique interactions with the nonprofit above what's expected by a regular donor who doesn't have as involved of a history, there's a good chance good results will come for nonprofits.
Content presented by First Nonprofit Group, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
We’ve been a member of First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program since 2011 and highly recommend joining. The program is terrific and allows us to earn interest on our own funds while still meeting the state’s requirements on unemployment payments. In addition, the staff are great and always helpful sorting out any questions we may have. Thank you all!
CCSCT was approached by First NonProfit to discuss its Unemployment Savings Program and ways the program could significantly reduce the amount of unemployment taxes we were paying. At the time, our agency was paying approximately $80,000 per year. First NonProfit conducted an analysis to determine if making the switch would be in our best interest, and it clearly was based on our circumstances. The first year on the program, CCSCT saw a 70% reduction in its unemployment costs and each year, continues to experience further reductions as a result of having minimal claims. Some additional benefits of the program including having a fixed annual cost, an interest-baring reserve account, professional unemployment claims management and representation at all unemployment hearings. This has been one of the best decisions we have made.
We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!
Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.
Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.
It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.
NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.