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For leaders and ops team members at small to midsize nonprofits to get guidance, uplifting, and resources for philanthropy data, database, and operations.
Ops Insights #028 Use CUE to Strengthen the Partnership
We have tremendous opportunities in the fundraising sector to strengthen the partnership between data and frontline professionals. Gone are the days when the data team was the “back office.” Today, data professionals should stand side-by-side with frontline professionals as true partners to drive fundraising efforts forward. One way we can strengthen this partnership is by learning and using CUE - Communication, Understanding, and Empathy. Let’s talk through it.
Ops Insights #027 Screening and Scoring
Finding and using research tools that prioritize engagement and likelihood over wealth is important in your fundraising efforts. Just because someone is wealthy does not mean they care about your cause to donate anything. And those who care greatly about your cause may give everything they have. Which means it’s important to do both.
Ops Insights #026 Research Profiles
If you are a small to midsize organization and one of your many duties is prospect research, this edition is for you. If prospect research is your entire role, you can skip this week, as this is for beginners with multiple roles. Often, when tasked with various roles, prospect research tends to get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. I’ve been there and got it, and I am here to help you with the basics.
Ops Insights #025 My Wish for You
You have so much good inside of you. A thought, an idea, and a voice to share. The nonprofit space is already filled with enough pressure to go faster, do more with less, and innovate without investment (heard of AI?). Let’s help you find those positive-minded people to uplift you and fuel your ambitions!
Ops Insights #024 Data and Tech Innovation in Fundraising
It is an exciting time to be in fundraising as we have access to more data and innovative tools than ever before. Don't let this scare you. The devices have become much easier and more intuitive to use. Today, we’ll dive into the most popular buzzwords around data and tech in fundraising.
Ops Insights #023 Recurring Gift vs. Pledge
We are covering the differences between recurring gifts and pledges. A recurring gift/donation is different from a pledge, and your CRM should be able to handle both. As you continue looking for ways to increase fundraising dollars while having efficiency, I highly recommend doing recurring gifts. It’s gained lots of traction over the last few years, making renewing donors automatic.
Ops Insights #022 Continuous Learning
Continuous learning, also referred to as lifelong learning, is the ability to develop, build, and grow your skills on an ongoing basis. There is no way we can know everything already, especially as the data and tech landscape evolves and changes. Look at the cell phone you rely so heavily on… what version number are you on?
It’s a practice you can build in as a habit and it will support your growth as you continue to evolve in your role. Let’s go through some examples.
Ops Insights #021 Remote Work 101
I am an advocate of remote work, and I found it to be highly effective for me and for the ones I work with. For this reason, today we are diving into the basics of remote work. You can learn from what I experienced to either get started yourself or help your team get moving. Whether it’s fully remote or hybrid, these tips will help guide you.
Ops Insights #020 Your Story is Your North Star
Ever looked back at your career and thought how did I get here? Today, I want to encourage you to reflect on your start in the nonprofit sector. Why did you get into philanthropy in the first place? There are moments for us to remember, such as you witness a child’s life saved because of donations; Or you witness a single mother crying as she looks at the house that was re-built for her after a natural disaster because of donations. Why don't we talk about these moments more? Let’s help you take a few minutes to remember your story because it is your north star.
Ops Insights #019 Learn to Communicate with Leaders
We are diving into learning to communicate directly with leaders. As you advance in your career, the sooner you can acquire this skill set, the more valuable you will be. The first step is to understand different styles. Have you taken one of those personality tests? The ones where you answer a bunch of questions and it tells you your behavioral style? I’ve always been amazed at how accurate they are. Let’s dive in.
Ops Insights #018 Gift Processing and Finance
Finance should not dictate how you enter gifts into your fundraising CRM database. Yes, we want a healthy and collaborative relationship with our finance peers, but there are only a few fields in your CRM that need to be dictated by finance. Your fundraising CRM database is for fundraising purposes, not for finance purposes, and in order to be donor-centric, you need your CRM database to be donor-centric.
Ops Insights #017 Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
Are you ready to elevate your philanthropy operations skill set? In the world of nonprofits and fundraising, problem-solving isn't just about identifying obstacles; it's about presenting actionable solutions that empower positive change. Let's explore how the art of effective problem-solving can make you an invaluable asset to your leader and team members.
Ops Insights #016 Sink or Swim
Have you ever started a new role with little support, feeling like you were left to fend for yourself? The sink or swim approach can be daunting, and while some might thrive on the challenge, it’s time to take a different, more uplifting approach to onboarding a new employee. It’s time to replace “sink or swim” with “swim or swim.”
Ops Insights #015 Streamline Another Process
Time is one of our most precious resources, and in the world of fundraising, it’s easy to feel like there’s never enough of it. What if you can get more time back to focus on other tasks? Yes, it is possible through the power of streamlining. Streamlining your operational processes can make a world of difference. Make the decision today to streamline one more initiative. We’ll walk through an example to give you some motivation.
Ops Insights #014 Automate One Process Today
It is such an exciting time to be in philanthropy for many reasons. However, this exciting time has also come with increased demands, but not necessarily increased resources. Doing more with less means we need to help you not only work smarter, but we need to help you work double duty without actually working double duty. This means we need to get you tools, techniques, and processes that are working in the background for you while you work on other things.
Ops Insights #013 Fiscal Year End
It’s that time… another fiscal year is coming to an end. It is a mad dash to get those last-minute gifts in, processed, and thanked. Remember it takes a village in nonprofit fundraising to move forward. Ask for help and show appreciation for the donor's generosity. After all there are 10 million nonprofit organizations for donors to choose from, and they chose you.
Ops Insights #012 Prospect Lifecycle
An intentional process to move prospects through the pipeline is essential to closing more and larger gifts. The Prospect Lifecycle is your answer. Learn to solidify your process.
Ops Insights #011 Track Your Praises
One day you will be ready to make your case for a promotion, a new role, or a new initiative. To make your case, it speaks greater volumes when you have others singing your praises for you. Learn how to keep track of your praises so when that big moment comes, you are ready.
Ops Insights #010 Build Your Soft Skills
Being successful in Philanthropy Operations requires more than just tech skills. It is essential you also have the soft skills. When you acquire the needed soft skills, you’ll grow as a service-oriented professional, relationship builder, and effective communicator.
Ops Insights #009 Becoming a Hyper-Connected Team
When you have a hyper-connected team, you become more efficient and effective in your fundraising efforts. You thrive and move forward in a cohesive way. This translates to raising more money for your nonprofit organization.