Helping Children Learn Annual Talent Show! You are invited to join us on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm at CHARISM Stonebridge, 3350 35th Ave S, Fargo, to watch the CHARISM kids put on an exciting show filled with their wonderful talents — singing, dancing, humor, and feats of athleticism!

Kids Are OUR Business Breakfast. Hosted by the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center: Please join us for the 22nd Annual Kids Are Our Business Breakfast on Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 AM. The event is one hour and will feature a story told by a young client who has experienced personal violence. This individual will share the difference that the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center has made in his/her life. Tickets are available at our main office at 317 N. 8th Street in Fargo or call (701) 293-7273.

KAOBB Sponsorship Levels 2012

GivingPoint is pleased to now be partnering with Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society on developing a planned giving program and performing a development audit to jump start their annual fund. NPSAS is a 33-year-old grassroots educational organization working to advocate land stewardship and organic farming, bring together farmers for education and advancement of sustainable practices, help, protect the integrity of the organic label and develop local food systems. GivingPoint is always impressed by the work our partnering non-profits do and NPSAS is no exception. We are excited to bring our expertise and partner with them in creating long-term sustainability models for their development plans.

St. John’s Academy is a vibrant elementary Catholic school located in Jamestown, ND.  SJA has been serving students and families for over 120 years has continued the tradition of providing academic excellence as well as spiritual growth where the Gospel message is not only taught but lived.  As members of God’s faith community we proclaim and celebrate God’s love for us.

As we continue to move forward with our school, we were looking for ways to raise money without having to sell items and going door-to-door.    We chose GivingPoint Rewards because the organization was very easy to work with and they took time to personally visit with the school, merchants and businesses about what they could offer us and show us the simplicity of how the program works.

We are excited to know that the money given back to St. John’s Academy will benefit us in many ways from scholarships for students, continued improvement of technology in the classrooms, and updated curriculum for our students and teachers.

To find out more about the community building success of the GivingPoint Rewards program chosen by St. John’s Academy and how it can offer you the support to do more with your programs;  follow this link…

According to a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, on average, a non-profit employee stays in a position only 16 months. The study cited was conducted by Cygnus Applied Research and concludes that the average direct and indirect costs of finding a replacement are $127,650.

It is apparent that keeping good quality non-profit employees happy and fulfilled is not only important to an organization’s fundraising success, but also to maintain responsible budgets.  There is a wealth of free information on motivating employees everywhere on the internet. Most highlight higher salaries, more flexibility with schedules, and continued training as distinct reasons non-profit employees stay in their positions. In particular, the Bridgespan Group has an article on their website with specific advice about continued training and employee development without breaking the bank. We also liked the quick-list of low cost “perks” by Roberta Matuson. Links for these resources are located below.

Non-profits are known for a culture of “putting out fires” and “just getting it done.” However, the costs of keeping a good employee are much less than trying to find a replacement after the fact. Staying ahead of the game will help ensure loyal and happy fundraising professionals. Take the time to step back to see the whole picture so you can plan accordingly and both develop and share those plans with your staff. Establish measurements other than total amount raised. These can be as simple as five handwritten thank you cards each week, etc. After all, these little employee accomplishments amount to the science of fundraising and result in total funds raised. Not to mention, if you’re training in a new employee every 16 months, you can’t afford to forget the basics.

Links:

Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Cost of High Turnover in Fundraising Jobs, Raymond Flandez: 

Read more…

The Bridgespan Group, On the Job Development Opportunities:

Read more…

Fast Company, Low Cost Ways to Show Employees They’re Highly Valued, Roberta Matuson:

Read more…

Feasibility studies are usually completed before a capital campaign to help determine what amount of money can be raised for a specific project/program for an organization. And, this is a very important aspect of a study but, it is certainly not the only benefit of a fundraising feasibility study.

A more complete way to look at a fundraising feasibility study is to view it as a campaign preparation study and there are several factors usually tested in a study.

1. How strong is the case for support? Determining the familiarity and satisfaction with the organization among the interviewees and familiarity with the needs of the organization and the project. Do interviewees understand the organization, its needs and the plans that the campaign will serve to see met?
2. Organizational leadership and volunteer leadership should also be tested in the study. Is there confidence among the interviewees that the leadership and staff can see a campaign through to success? And, are there adequate and strong volunteer leadership prospects? Is leadership willing to accept major roles in a campaign? Capital campaigns with a strong core of staff and volunteer leaders succeed.
3. What is the competition for philanthropic dollars in the community and what is the overall economic climate?
4. What type of financial support can be expected for this campaign? Who are the main prospects for major gifts and what level of support can be expected among the interviewees.
5. Finally, it’s important to identify the proper timing for a capital campaign.

Testing all of these factors in a feasibility study help prepare an organization plan on the best way to move forward with a capital campaign.

At GivingPoint, one of our goals is to help make all of your fund development experiences great experiences. Part of this great experience is understanding what your organization is capable of achieving both organizationally and financially in regards to all of your fund development efforts. Fundraising feasibility studies are just one tool in helping you not only realize your potential but exceed your expectations.

Seventy one percent of the nation’s largest foundations surveyed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy say they won’t increase their giving in 2012. The industry’s leading periodical found that 68 of 96 foundations they contacted will give the same or less than they did in 2011 despite an economy that appears to be rebounding from the recession which began in December of 2007. Those interviewed cited a lag in the recovery of their fund balances to pre-recession levels as well as on-going commitments to long-term pledges made before the economy settled into recession as their reasons for holding funding steady.

Foundation giving accounts for 13% of the approximately $300 billion contributed to the nation’s nonprofits annually. Corporations account for about 5% annually. Living donors account for 75% while bequests account for 7%, making individuals by far the most prolific source of nonprofit funding.

These are important statistics when considering your nonprofit’s annual gift sources. Sustainable, more predictable funding is usually achieved by matching or closely mirroring the national statistics. A disproportionate reliance on foundation or corporate gifts may put your funding at risk. Foundations and corporations are more likely to make rapid changes in funding priorities as reactions to economic conditions and even changes within their boards of directors are made.

Individuals, on the other hand, tend to support their favorite causes more consistently and for longer periods of time.  They often have a well-defined inspiration and vested interest in doing so. Our advice, watch your gift source percentages closely and aim to emulate the national figures. Spend a proportionate amount of time cultivating individuals for your annual support. Turn to the foundations and corporations for periodic, one-time gifts that may transform your organization through an equipment purchase, program enhancement, or even construction. These funders prefer commitments with well-defined time periods that don’t promote a reliance on their long-term support.

Read the story…

Actually, capital campaigns tend to boost a non- profits annual fund. Current donors get more involved in an organization during a campaign, invest themselves more emotionally in the organizations mission and experience shows, give more to the annual fund after a successful campaign.

New Horizons for Agriculture

Shannon Schweigert (Shannon@mygivingpoint.com)

or Brianna McAleer (brianna@mygivingpoint.com),

or by phone at (701) 364-4001

An exciting new home exists for your non-profit organization in the 222 NON-PROFIT CENTER.  Each space allows your organization to use its unique mission to fulfill needs in our community by providing a supportive and innovative environment located in the heart of downtown Fargo. Your nonprofit can benefit from shared reception services, meeting spaces, professional conference space, printing and copying equipment, technological infrastructure, reduced overhead and all the while increasing your visibility. Does your organization need professional support with fundraising efforts, grant writing or promotion? You will find the collaborative support you need to grow your organization right next door.

YOUR ORGANIZATION will benefit from:

• Professional Environment
• Downtown Location
• Immersion Philanthropic Culture
• Reception Service
• Copier with Volume
• Conference Room
• Professional Development/Training Opportunities
• Discounted Rental of Studio 222
• Cleaning
• Utilities Included
• Optional Furnishing
• Optional Telco/Data/Internet/Wireless
• Optional Signage
• Parking

Contact: sheilia@mygivingpoint.com | 701.364.4001