Blog: Fundraising for Nonprofits

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Update on Proposed Changes to CFC Regulations:
As I write this, a Congressional Hearing about the
proposed CFC regulations is scheduled for July 10th.
I will have a special update on the proposed CFC regulations
after the hearing, and what next actions steps are recommended.
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Have a plan, work the plan!
In my June 27th post I talked about the importance of selecting your CFC team, and that one of the factors that helps keep people motivated and dedicated is the ability to learn, develop and practice new skills; and, I noted that workplace giving actually provides many opportunities for staff, volunteers and board members to do that.

In this post, and the next three, I’ll discuss some specific approaches you can use to get ready for the 2013 CFC campaign.

Before getting into the specific tactics of workplace giving fundraising, I want to highlight an important report that was released in January. It is “Under Developed: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising” by Jeanne Bell & Marla Cornelius, and was underwritten by CompassPoint, where Ms. Bell is CEO.

An important success factor that is identified in the report is that high performing non-profits have created a “culture of philanthropy” within their organizations, and this is one of the keys to their success. The report uses this explanation of what a culture of philanthropy is:

Culture of Philanthropy:< While familiar to fundraising professionals, the term culture of philanthropy is not yet well understood nor commonly used across the sector. Not to be confused with institutional grant making or the act of giving money as a donor, a culture of philanthropy refers to a set of organizational values and practices that support and nurture development within a nonprofit organization. For the purposes of this study we used the following definition: Most people in the organization (across positions) act as ambassadors and engage in relationship building. Everyone promotes philanthropy and can articulate a case for giving. Fund development is viewed and valued as a mission-aligned program of the organization. Organizational systems are established to support donors. The executive director is committed and personally involved in fundraising.

To read the complete report, (which I recommend), go to: Under Developed.

Your non-profit’s CFC fundraising plan provides the ideal practice field for your entire staff, including both paid and volunteers, and board members to develop their “ambassador skills and engage in relationship building” and learn how to “promote philanthropy and articulate a case for giving.” This is where some of the unique characteristics of a Combined Federal Campaign fundraising campaign come into play by letting your CFC action plan activities be the beginning of how to learn to develop a culture of philanthropy within your non-profit.

What’s next?
In my July 25th post I will discuss some of the unique factors of CFC fundraising and why they matter, and I will suggest some specific actions you can take to be more effective in your CFC fundraising efforts.

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During his 25-year career in the Federal sector, Bill Huddleston, The CFC Coach,
served in many CFC roles. If you want to participate in the Combined Federal
Campaign, maximize your nonprofit’s CFC revenues, or just ask a few questions,
contact Bill Huddleston
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Have you seen
The Fundraising Series of ebooks.
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