Admin Bandit – Making it Easy for Volunteer Treasurers

Many volunteer treasurers long for an easier way to keep up with all of their bookkeeping and reporting requirements, but dread the thought of installing a new software system, and learning how to use it. While any time of year is a great time to consider trying Admin Bandit’s bookkeeping suite, the end of year is an especially great time to give it a try.

Save Time at the End of the Year

Since its fully automated, it can help treasurers reclaim some of their valuable time. The holidays are full of frenzied, last minute activities, so anything that can help you save time is especially beneficial.

Fast and Easy Set Up

What does it take to get started using it? About two minutes. All you need to enter is your NPF’s banking information, unpaid invoices and member details. Once this data has been entered, log back in and you’re ready to go!

Increase Accuracy and Remain in Compliance

Important tasks, such as recording transactions and reconciling statements, are basically done for users using the software’s automated processes. The software also calculates GST and other payments automatically as well, and prompts users about when they need to file reports, and when they are required to be lodged. These features improve the accuracy of your records and helps your NFP to remain in compliance with various reporting rules and regulations.

Protect Your Financial Information and Other Data

Since everything is stored online, in the cloud, you no longer must worry about losing your information to the results of a disaster, such as a flood or fire. It also makes your data more secure and reduces the risk of loss due to physical theft or corruption of your data.

Automatic Updates

Users also never have to worry about their software going out of date, since its automatically updated any time there is a change in the programming. Just login online to ensure that you have the latest version of the software, which is updated any time there is a change in reporting or other requirements.

Historical Data

Once you’re used the software for a while, the system will begin to provide historical reports which makes it easier to identify changes that occur over time. This feature is helpful whether there have been changes to your members list, or in the actual performance of a specific department. Regardless of where change has occurred, you and your board will have a handle on it!

This makes it easier for boards to make more informed decisions that will affect the NFP’s finances, and increases transparency in the decision-making process. Having a bookkeeping system that basically does much of the work for you will also go a long way towards making it easier to recruit your NFP’s next volunteer treasurer!

If you would like to see just how easy the software is to use for yourself, why not sign-up today for a free 55-day trial? 

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the festive break. We look forward to catching up with you in 2018 in what we hope will be a fantastic and prosperous new year.

Thanks always for your continued support.

Tips to Improve Your Funding Options

Does your fundraising strategy consist mainly of a vague idea to raise “more money than last year” and little else? Without financial clarity, and a strategy to optimise your organisation’s sources for funding, your nonprofit will find it difficult, and next to impossible to secure the monies that it needs to operate at a sustainable level and create actual impact for your cause.

The following strategies can help your organisation broaden its base of financial support by increasing the number of sources it has for funding.

Grants

Rather than relying solely on donations from individuals, consider searching for grants that are a good fit for your organisation. Grants can come from Federal or State governments as well as public and private entities such as foundations and corporations.

The applications process is typically quite lengthy, and complex, and there is usually stiff competition for these funds, so your NFP can benefit by bringing on board an experienced grant writer to help them with the proposal and applications process.

Sponsorships

Instead of trying to do everything on your own, consider reaching out to third parties for help in securing funding, and other resources, that will enable you to provide services and advance your cause.

Sponsorships and other collaborations can come from the commercial and government sectors, or might involving partnering with one more parties from the not-for-profit sector that will allow each to focus on performing the work that they do well. Groups can also cooperate and allow each to access resources that the other has to increase the amount of work that is performed by both groups.

Maximise Individual Contributions

Nonprofits can increase their funding simply by looking for opportunities to maximise the number and amount of individual donations that they receive.

To accomplish this goal, your fundraising approach should seek out ways to make it easy for supporters to give online, and give by their preferred means of payment.

Focus on encouraging repeat donors by developing a monthly giving program.

Approach board members and other key influencers that are connected with your organisation to reach out to potential big donors to support your NFP with a large contribution.

Crowdsourcing platforms can be a great way to raise awareness about your cause and encourage donations when they use storytelling to illustrate what is at stake if the issue your organisation is trying to tackle remains unsolved. Options to customise the message and share the campaign easily on social media will increase the number of folks that see your plea and follow through with a contribution.

Special Events

Standard fundraising events, such as charity auctions, galas and balls can be a good way to raise funds for your organisation, but only if they are cost-effective to host. If your NFP will not make a net profit from the event that’s worth the time and effort it takes to plan the event and hold it, you may want to limit the number and type of events that you throw as part of your fundraising efforts.

Consider Options that Increase Your Capacity for Self-Funding

While nonprofits are not designed to operate at a profit, since their main function is to serve the public good, this doesn’t mean that they should operate in an unsustainable manner. Your nonprofit can increase the soundness of its finances to look for ways to self-fund its growth. Does your nonprofit have assets that can be used to fund operations?

For example, would you be able to offer beneficiaries a higher level of service if you charged a fee for certain services? Would rents or activity fees allow you to do more good work, without compromising your core mission and goals? Is there a way to invest some of your funds that will enable your organisation to generate a passive income stream that could be used to fund operations and build capacity? Would selling some products and services allow your organisation to raise the funds that it needs while remaining in alignment with your organisations values?

While each NFP’s answer will be different to questions like these, if income generating activities don’t violate your nonprofit’s values or create another conflict, they can be a good way to raise the growth supporting funds that your organisation needs to survive and thrive.

How to Keep Your Team Happy

High turnover extracts a heavy toll on all organisations, particularly those in the not-for-profit sector. Not only does it waste the time, money and other precious resources that your NFP uses to train its people, turnover increases inefficiency in your organisation as your nonprofit must now go to the effort of finding, training and retaining new personnel.

Long before they leave, unhappy staff and volunteers impact your organisation in terms of the quality of service it provides all stakeholders. If you want to keep your team, and ensure that they are fully engaged in their work for your service community, your NFP’s leadership must make some effort to keep them happy.

The following are a few tips to help your nonprofit better meet the needs of its volunteers and staff members.

Empowerment and Flexibility

Regardless of anyone’s job title and duties, at least some of the tasks that are performed each day seem redundant and unnecessary. Each of us is also an individual with our own tastes and preferences, so wherever it is possible, try to grant your team as much autonomy and authority as possible. Empower your people to make decisions and to take responsibility in the areas that they work in.

Allow staff and volunteers to switch things up during their workday by allowing them to cross train and do similar work, but in different departments. Not only does this help to prevent monotony and boredom, your nonprofit benefits from new insight and perspective brought by members from other areas of your NFP’s operations. It also improves your organisation’s flexibility during times when you might be understaffed in some departments but overstaffed in others.

Keep Everyone Up-to-Date

Have you ever had the experience of having people close to you keep a secret from you? How did it make you feel?

When we respect others, we bring them into our circle of confidence. Everyone wants to know what is going on, and what they need to do as a team to advance the mission forward.

Be accessible to your teams, and make yourself available to them. Have an open-door policy that works both ways. Hold regular meetings with your team members so that you can keep them updated as to your organisation’s goals, policies, and breaking news.

If your team is scattered across multiple locations, assemble them together in one central location with as many members of your team as possible. Next, bring the others in via live video conferencing on Skype or another online platform. Make an effort to give everyone a voice during your meetings so that everyone’s concerns or questions are heard and addressed.

When you openly communicate with your team, you build trust, respect and rapport. Your staff and volunteers learn that they can count on you to provide them with the information that they need to perform their tasks well. Your team also learns that you have their best interests at heart and are looking out for them.

Acknowledgement

When we work hard, it’s only natural to want our efforts to be recognised and appreciated. Make sure that you are taking concrete steps to show your team that you truly value them as people. Let them know you are grateful for all the hard work that they put into advancing the mission and meeting the needs of others.

Awards ceremonies, perks, rewards and letters of appreciation can all go a long way to show your team just how important they are to you and your organisation. While many nonprofits run on the proverbial shoestring budget, it’s important to avoid the tendency to substitute perks and recognition for comparable compensation.

For your paid staff and volunteers, offer a living wage that’s in line with what others in comparable fields and positions pay. Whether other members of your team are paid or unpaid, make sure that they have all the resources that they need to do their jobs well. Invest in replacing outdated systems and upgrading critical infrastructure. Offer updated training and use innovative technologies to reduce the strain and workload on your teams.

Truly honoring your team’s contribution to your organisation is about more than offering a token acknowledgement; it’s about being realistic about the demands that are placed on them. Give them everything they need to perform well including public recognition, realistic wages, current information and equipment.  

The Importance of Social Media for NFPs

If nonprofits wish to survive and thrive, they must have support. This support can come in many forms such as advocacy, donations, and volunteering.

Increasing Support Doesn’t Have to Be Costly

At its heart, social media marketing allows nonprofits to use one of the most successful, and oldest, forms of advertising to increase its base of support: social influence, or, word-of-mouth marketing. Social media campaigns are effective for increasing an NFP’s reach because their cost can be easily controlled by scaling campaigns up or down.

Once the initial content is created, connections within various networks spread the message on their own, creating organic support and traffic without incurring additional cost. Using social media to find and recruit supporters, however, isn’t just about controlling costs. The following is a brief overview of two additional reasons why nonprofits need to be using social media in their marketing campaigns and communications.

To Stay Competitive

Competition is a key factor that affects the impact and growth of every nonprofit, despite the increase in collaborations and partnerships between third parties.

Nonprofits compete to recruit skilled, talented people to serve on boards, and as staff members and volunteers. Funds are also a scarce resource, as there are not enough grants, endowments and individual contributions to fund every need.

Research shows that if you want your nonprofit to be able to recruit enough staff, volunteers, advocates and donors, then your nonprofit must have an online presence, and be using social media to spread the word about your cause and how others can help.

According to statistics provided in the 2016 Global NGO Online Technology Report, most not for profits worldwide are actively online using multiple social media channels to connect with supporters, accept donations and spread awareness about their NFP’s mission. A full 92% of NFPs have a website and 46% blog regularly, making it easy for online users to discover information about their mission and projects.

75% email their supporters’ donation requests and other news, and 75% accept donations online. 95% have a Facebook page, 83% have a profile on Twitter, and nearly 40% use Instagram to keep their supporters up-to-date and motivated about the good work that their organisation is accomplishing.

To be effective, nonprofits must use social media to stand out from all of their competitors in both the for-profit and not-for-profit world. They should use it to firmly establish their brand, and link their brand to their cause, their vision and the work that can be accomplished with the support of others.

To Remain Relevant

It’s not just other NFPs that are online. According to data on social media trends provided by Track Maven, nearly one third of the entire world’s population will be online by next year. Global Web Index statistics reveal that most online users have about 6 social media profiles and regularly use nearly half of them.

This data clearly illustrates why it’s so important for your nonprofit to enter this space! A growing number of us no longer get our news from traditional network broadcasts and media outlets. Instead, we are leveraging our social media networks to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events. We then share those stories that personally connect with us and then like or otherwise express an opinion about these posts with our connections.

To become a part of these crucial conversations and exchanges of ideas, you must be online, and using the social media channels where these conversations are taking place. To engage with potential supporters, you must be online where your supporters are likely to be. Otherwise your cause will go unnoticed and your projects will go unsupported. To stay relevant, nonprofits need to include social media in their marketing strategies, and engage their supporters on the social media channels of their choice.  

If your nonprofit is struggling to build its base of support, this is likely a sign that your social media strategy may need some fine-tuning to return the results that your nonprofit wants and needs. 

3 Essential Qualities Every Good Treasurer Must Have

A volunteer treasurer needs to be organised and good with figures. They must ensure they are on top of the situation from the very first day of the job. They should be passionate and motivated. They need to be trustworthy and available when the charity or nonprofit has a query or requires a report. The list is seemingly endless!

On top of these traits, and the many others we could name off the top of our head, there are three other qualities which a treasurer must have in order to make their job easier.

Professionalism

Regardless of how relaxed the organisation is, as a Volunteer Treasurer, it is your job to represent the NFP in a professional manner. Having a solid base of professionalism will make the job simpler, and you never know who may be watching. Remember your volunteer role may lead to other opportunities in the future. Conduct yourself professionally in all situations and show the NFP that you have a solid work ethic regardless of whether it is a paid or volunteer position.

Strength

A Volunteer Treasurer needs to be tough and strong. You should always stick to your guns and follow the rules and policies set in place. If there are no rules, then create them. Establishing solid business practices from the start will hold you in good stead. Financial control policies are there for an excellent reason. They prevent bookkeeping errors and fraud. Don’t let the team walk all over you or ask you to bend their rules just because they don’t like them. Stick to the rules and your colleagues will soon understand that you mean business.

Creativity

If your nonprofit has not embraced modern technology or made any changes in the last ten years, then you may have to put your creative hat on. Just because it has always been done that way, doesn’t mean it has to stay like that. A Volunteer Treasurer’s position involves a lot of responsibility, and often there are systems you can utilise to cut down your hours or improve your overall effectiveness. Look at software options such as Admin Bandit or endeavour to fine-tune those reports so they are more efficient. There are always alternative methods - you just need to find the ones which will assist you to streamline the procedures and save the NFP time and money. Do your research to understand what will fit the needs of the NFP and, of course, yourself.

Good luck!

How to Craft an Email Newsletter that Actually Gets Read and Creates Results

Drafting a newsletter can be very nerve-wracking. What if no one reads it; what if people unsubscribe as soon as they receive it? Well, chances of both of those things happening are quite high. But in between the unsubscribers and the deleters are a bunch of interested individuals who want to hear what you have to say.

There are some definite tips you can take on board to increase the percentage of those who read it and those who click on a link and visit your website, however. Despite those nerves, it is time to get drafting and provide valuable information to your readers that will have them engaging with your brand and donating to your cause.

Do you have an objective in mind?

If you are purely sending your email out because it is the third Tuesday of the month, then you may find yourself struggling a bit. You need to have a specific objective in mind when drafting it, so it resonates with your readers. Think about what your objective could be this month and then set out to fulfil this aim.

Are you consistent with design and frequency?

If you send out a newsletter every now and again, it may not be so well received. We are creatures of habits and you will be more likely to build trust if you send them out on a regular basis. Try to be consistent with your design, so it matches your newsletter and other marketing material. Once you have drafted it and have the layout approved, stick to it.

Do you have any metrics set in place?

Many nonprofits tend to shy away from metrics because they feel like they are a bit of a failure if they miss the mark. But metrics are particularly useful to see how well your newsletter was received. Focus on the positives – the likes and the clicks which demonstrate your achievements and then work out how to do better next month.

Have you come up with catchy headlines?

Most NFPs spend much of the time writing the text, planning the layout and tweaking the images. But remember, don't leave the headline until the last minute. It is the first thing they see in their inbox and well-placed strategic headings will carry the reader through the entire newsletter. Use them wisely.

Is it as pretty as a picture?

Huge blocks of text can be dull to browse. Break up the words with text or even a video but always check back to see whatever you are adding, connects strongly with the overall objective of the message. Don’t add a picture just for the sake of it.

Do you have a donate button incorporated into your newsletter?

It is such a small thing to do and if you use a template each month, then it is something that you probably don’t even need to think about. Make sure that there is an easy-to-locate donate button on your page in case your readers are feeling in the mood to give.

Constant communication will tick those boxes for accountability and trust, not to mention donor retention. Do your NFP a favour and send out newsletters that are worth writing and reading.

Attracting Millennials To Your NFP

NFPs need all sorts of employees and volunteers to function at its very best. Employing millennials (individuals born between 1980 to 2000) is a must, if it is your intention that your NFP stands the test of time. Millennials are not only generous to causes they believe in, but they can also educate you on new and improved ways to reach other millennials and increase donor support.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 25% of 18 to 25-year-olds and 27% of 25 to 34-year-olds volunteered in 2014. This is compared to 39% of individuals aged 35-44 and 42% of 15 to 17-year-olds. The 18 to 34 age group could definitely do with some more incentive to volunteer and gain employment with NFPs. Millennials are a huge part of the population, and organisations need to understand that there may be alternative ways to engage them.

It is essential that you create a brand or marketing campaign that millennials will be happy to get behind. Millennials resonate with individuals and organisations wanting to make a positive change in the world. If they feel empowered by your brand, then they will get excited about it. As millennials are heavily connected online, having a solid website, cleverly constructed 'About Us' page and well laid out social media channels is important. Make it eye-catching, inspiring and mobile-friendly.

Ensure it is easy for them to connect to you. The younger generation tends to make their decisions based on impulse. Don’t let anything stand in their way. And once you have their interest, try to keep them engaged. A millennial who follows your cause will be more willing to pass your information on to others.

Storytelling campaigns are one of the best ways you can connect with millennials. Showcase stories and profiles of individuals who are making strides in your industry, so they have someone to emulate.

If you use just some of the following tips to attract the millennials, then you stand more of a chance in increasing millennials.

• ·         Strive for diversification in the workplace
• ·         Use social media to communicate your story
• ·         Explain career paths and opportunities
• ·         Offer meaningful experiences
• ·         Be open to new ideas
• ·         Create entry level positions with real room to grow

Millennials appreciate companies who provide fulfilling jobs and flexible workplaces. NFPs must understand how to communicate this information authentically to draw in the younger crowd.

Do You Have These Skills To Help Your NFP Succeed?

Even if you have never worked for, or managed, an NFP before, you may find that you have many useful skills which can directly assist your organisation. Your individual skills, and the talents of your team members, is what gives your NFP its edge and corporate advantage over the other charities.

Leadership Skills

While you may not consider leadership skills to be important, remember, that it takes more than passion to lead an NFP to success. Leadership skills can vary but generally consist of the ability to think strategically and communicate well. Being able to motivate and inspire others is also an important asset to your company.

Marketing Skills

While traditional leaders have a team of marketers and social media managers working for them, NFPs have a leaner budget and must take on some of the efforts themselves. Social media can increase the awareness of your NFP and directly increase your fundraising efforts. As more and more people are accessing their information on mobile devices, NFPs need to stay up with the technology or avoid getting overlooked entirely.

Networking Skills

Being able to get out there and connect with other businesses and individuals will hold you in good stead. Effective communication and networking skills will enable you to reach out to potential donors and sponsors and really get across your motivations for doing what you do. Through your words alone, you can make connections that will guarantee long-term support, and ultimately the longevity of business.

Financial Skills

While financial skills can be learnt, having the ability to be able to manage the monies which come into the organisation can overcome any foreseeable challenges. It is not just a simple case of profit and loss for a nonprofit as the money may go back into the company to further their charitable aims, or even be allocated toward future fundraising and campaigns, as well as salaries and other running costs.

How to Make Your Role as Volunteer Treasurer Easier

The volunteer treasurer is a significant position on any nonprofit board. Key responsibilities include the management and administration of the nonprofit's finances, reporting to the board, offering fundraising advice and acting as a liaison with independent auditors.

Treasurers that serve on the boards of small to mid-sized nonprofits, as well as all-volunteer organisations, often have a more hands-on role than those who serve at larger NFPs.

The following are a few tips that can make this daunting job a bit easier and less of a hassle.

Use Automated Software Designed Especially for Treasurers of Nonprofits

To keep up with everything, you must compile, track and report which are all very time-consuming. From recording the day-to-day transactions of your nonprofit and handling routine processes, such as bank reconcilements, to calculating GST, compiling monthly reports and so on - the role can get very busy if not managed well.

As your organisation's treasurer, one way that you can save time, and improve accuracy, is to make the switch to a fully automated bookkeeping software that is stored and accessed in the cloud, such as Admin Bandit's software for volunteer treasurers.

Software like this one tracks all of your organisation's transactions for you. It also walks you through each step of a host of more complicated tasks including preparing budgets, creating monthly and annual reports, calculating GST and other important filings.

Since the data is stored in the cloud, it reduces the risk of losing your organisation's valuable data should there be an incident of theft, fire, flood or another disaster.

Establish Sound, but Simple, Systems and Controls

As the treasurer, financial oversight is one of your most important duties. To protect the organisation's finances, you will need to limit who has access and control of the nonprofit's cash and other funds.

Take the time to establish policies and procedures that will help you to both follow and monitor your nonprofit's assets. Create routines that reduce risk of loss, such as always having two people to count the funds whenever cash handling is involved.

One way to establish routines that will also generate records that can help you track activities is to build forms for your procedures. Forms help you to leave a paper trail for your organisation's activities and expenses, such as having team members submit reimbursement request forms to help you track expenses.

While accounting software and a host of useful apps are generating less physical paper, you should still use a system of binders and other tools to help you organise whatever paper records and other important physical documents are generated.  

Use a Calendar

Of course, an old-fashioned paper calendar that is mounted on the wall or desk still works. However, there is an easier and more efficient way to keep up with all of the important dates that you must remember. Software and internet-based calendars make it a lot easier for you to keep track of filing requirements and deadlines. This is because you can program a virtual calendar to send you alerts and reminders, making it less likely that you will forget an important date.

This simply ensures that you are keeping up with financial requirements while also helping to ensure that your organisation avoids the expense of paying late filing fees and other penalties.

Prepare for the Next Treasurer

No matter how fulfilling your find your role and its duties, at some point, your term as a volunteer treasurer with your organisation will come to an end. You can make things easier for yourself, and the next person that follows in your footsteps, by making a point to regularly file your paperwork and keeping your records organised, and up to date.  

Before your term is set to expire, it is especially helpful to schedule a meeting with the incoming treasurer. Go over your accounting system and filing system with them, as well as the controls and procedures that you have in place to help minimise the impact of this new transition. 

When To Invest In New Software For Your NFP

Today, many nonprofits are dealing with increased competition for donations and other fundraising challenges, such as the decrease in the availability of grants due to government budget cuts. This makes it more difficult for treasurers to come before the board and ask for funds to upgrade software.

During difficult financial times, many boards adopt the attitude that if something has been working so far, why pay to fix something that isn't "broken?" Others are reluctant to invest in upgrading the software because they think it will simply be too much of a hassle to learn something new. These beliefs can be shortsighted, however, if the new software will in effect pay for itself by increasing efficiency and security and thereby lowering overall costs.

The following are a few signs that your existing software is costing you more than the cost to upgrade, which should help you to convince board members that this is one investment that's worth the cost to make.

Your Free Software is no Longer Worth the Time and Hassle to Use It

Just because there aren't any upfront costs to obtain the software, doesn't mean that it's wholly free to use. Even free software must be set up and configured properly, and updated periodically to run smoothly.

If your "free" software isn't specific to your field or cause, it may be difficult or impossible to track data that is specific to your nonprofit. Another sign that it's time to upgrade is if your current software is if it requires a lot of manual processes and data entry to be able to track items and produce documents and reports.

If this is the case, that free software is probably costing you more in payroll dollars and staff hours to operate as time goes by than the upfront cost of upgrading your software to one that simplifies and automates most processes and that's designed specifically to meet the needs of a nonprofit.

Continuing to Use Your Current Software Increases Risk of Loss

Using older, out of date software may expose your nonprofit to greater risk of loss than newer technology. Many older systems rely on older operating systems to run, which are, by nature, more vulnerable to hacking since they are no longer subject to frequent security updates designed to patch and fix flaws that thieves and hackers can exploit to enter your nonprofit's systems and steal sensitive financial and demographic information.

Older software can make it more difficult to track transactions and take more time to produce reports that might uncover irregularities that point the way to internal and external theft. Money that has been paid to the nonprofit, or, that the nonprofit has paid others, can slip through the cracks when older, out of date software is used.

Old, out of date software also usually does not allow users to store information in the cloud, which puts your organisation's entire collection of records and databases at risk of loss should something happen to the hard drive, such as a fire, flood or other disaster.

Finding a Solution

When your organisation is ready to invest in new software, there are a number of brands and services on the market. Admin Bandit offers accounting software that is designed specifically with the needs of nonprofit organisations and volunteer treasurers in mind.

Admin Bandit software is reasonably priced, very easy and intuitive to use, and walks treasurers through every step of preparing budgets, reporting, statements, managing GST obligations and producing other necessary documents that every nonprofit needs. Most processes are fully automated once the nonprofit's basic account information has been entered, which takes around 2 minutes or less, increasing ease of use.

The software also connects with the cloud so that it's easy to keep the software updated, which increases the security of your nonprofit's information while also making it simple, stress-free and secure to backup databases and other files.

Finally, board members and other officers of nonprofits have significant fiduciary duties and a responsibility to protect sensitive information collected by the nonprofit, wisely use donations and other assets, and to conduct themselves in an honest and impartial manner. The security flaws found in older, inefficient software makes it more difficult for boards to fulfil their fiduciary obligations.

New software such as Admin Bandit's increases transparency in the organisation while making it easier for boards to have the up-to-date information that they need to make better decisions. Upgrading your software not only reduces the potential for loss, but, makes it simpler to recruit new treasurers and board members when openings arise. 

NFPs in The Digital Age

The way we manage data is changing and from an NFP perspective you need to ask yourself whether your data management procedures are efficient and focussed. Are they working to your advantage or could you make some changes to fine-tune the process?

You need to consider issues like how to store and manage your data and how that information can be used to make the most impact and bring about maximum change. You also need to examine the capturing and securing of data from a governance perspective.

Why focus on your database?

Your database is your key to building a relationship with your donors. Today’s NFPs need to be data-driven, and your database is one of the biggest assets your non-profit has at its disposal. It can tell you what is working and what is not working. Maintaining an inadequate database can lead to loss of dollars and donors –a disaster for any non-profit.

How can you ensure your database is working?

Firstly you need to make sure that whatever system you are using, has your charity’s best interests at heart. Designate ownership and management of the system and confirm policies and procedures on how the system can be employed. Your reports need to be relevant and accurate; otherwise, they just end up being a wasteful exercise.

Do you have security and disaster recovery procedures in place?

Ensure that you have a backup to handle any worse case scenario that might occur. Again all processes and procedures must be confirmed and documented and followed to a “T”. And when all else fails, back up again. It is important that you protect your data to ensure your organisation’s success.

5 Marketing Tips for NFPs

Even though your nonprofit is just that, an organisation that is not designed to operate at a profit, marketing is still important. Without an effective marketing strategy, it's almost impossible for NFPs to raise awareness about their cause.

Marketing plays a critical role in a nonprofit's ability to meet fundraising goals and have the money that is needed for operations to continue. There are only so many dollars to go around, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar nonprofit organisations that must compete for donations and other sources of funding, and marketing makes it possible for your NFP to stand out from the crowd.

The following marketing tips can help your NFP increase the impact of its messaging with potential donors and other supporters.

Branding - In Addition to Functionality, Make Certain Your Website Connects and Informs

Having a website that looks professional, functions well on traditional laptop and desktops as well as mobile platforms, and that connects with and tells your visitors, is crucial to increasing support for your NFP's mission and goals.

Keep your supporters updated by posting on a regular basis. Use images and video on your NFPs blog and elsewhere on your site to increase your nonprofit's emotional connection with donors. Take steps to ensure that your nonprofit's messaging is clear, and consistent throughout your site and all of your channels, to brand your content, and use good SEO practices and promote your best content to increase your reach.

Make it easy for supporters to jump on your bandwagon and support your cause by using buttons to make it easy for them to share your posts and other messages with their social networks.  

By branding your content, including a clear call to action in all posts and making it easy to share, you can easily turn your website, blog, and social media into a network that functions to increase donations and other forms of support for your nonprofit.   

Make Certain that You are Engaging with Donors in Their Preferred Format

Just as the customer is always right in business, your donor is always right. Are you contacting your donors and other supporters as often as they wish, and in their preferred format? Survey your current donors and supporters on a regular basis to discover what is, and is not, working.

How do your fans prefer to be contacted: email, direct mail, newsletters, telephone or in person? What is the impression of your supporters on your NFP's mission, goals and services? Once you have the results, take steps to meet the needs of your audience by segmenting your followers based on type and frequency of contact that they prefer. Use the insight that you gained to refine your messaging to ensure that your supporters have the right impression of your NFP, the services that it provides and the impact that you make.

Segment Audience Based on Demographics, Personalise Messaging

Not every approach, or every message, will work to persuade every supporter. Divide your supporters into lists based on demographics such as their personal interests, gender, age, education and income levels, and then tailor your approach, and your message, based on their individual segment. Remember to use tools to personalise your messages to increase your connection with your donors.

Set Targets, Benchmarks, Test Messaging and Measure Results, Don't Forget to Refine Messaging

Once you've segmented your supporters, set fundraising objectives and other benchmarks, such as targets for sharing, sign-ups and other forms of support. Don't forget to test the impact of your messages and use analytics to measure your results and compare them against benchmarks and standards to help you be able to determine just how effective your marketing campaign is.

Don't be afraid of change, and don't be satisfied with the status quo, but always be on the lookout for ways to continually refine and improve your messaging to ensure that you continue to meet your objectives.

Increase Engagement by Starting Conversations and Keep them Going

In addition to making it easy for your donors and other supporters to share your posts, further extend the reach of your messaging by visiting similar blogs and starting conversations by liking others posts and leaving comments, including a link back to your NFP's site in your signature. Always promptly respond to any comments that are made on your posts so that you can keep the conversation going and win further support for your cause!