Jumpstart your 2013 Fundraising with 6 Low-Cost/Free Tools for Nonprofits

It’s hardly a surprise that just when people ask for assistance the most, nonprofit organizations experience the most difficulty bringing in donations vital to maintaining, or even increasing, its efforts to support the needs of the community. Overcoming this paradox can be quite the challenge, but there is hope!

Lucky for those working with community organizations, advancing technologies are capable of being cost-effective and of providing alternative, highly efficient ways to increase an organization’s reach to potential donors. Such technologies often exist without a NPOs knowledge, rendering them useless. In an effort to inform you of the best resource out there, FLC has researched low-cost/free tools that can expand your organization’s fundraising efforts without deflating your wallet. Below are 6 great fundraising tools that your organization will want to check out.

1. Formstack: This site lets nonprofits create online forms which provide an easy, secure method to collect contact information of new donors and/or volunteers. Forms can also be created to process donations on your organization’s website.
2.  #FundraisingFriday: This hashtag is a twitter campaign that encourages supporters to donate $10 to their favorite nonprofit every week. It’s free, and perfect for getting the word out to potential donors seeking new organizations to support.
3. GivingLibrary: This site acts as an outlet for nonprofits to present potential donors and/or volunteers with their mission, past accomplishments, and future plans. Be sure to register your organization up and get access to another medium for accessing potential donors.
4. #GivingTuesday: Similar to #FundraisingFriday, this hashtag is a twitter campaign designed to increase donations during the time of year people are most willing to give: holiday season. To begin on Tuesday, November 23^rd, be sure to promote your nonprofit with #GivingTuesday and increase awareness of your cause.
5. MobileCause: This app is a low-cost mobile service provider which exclusively serves nonprofits. If you’re ready to implement text-to-donate services, MobileCause is the low-cost provider for you.
6. SupporterWall: This site lets nonprofits construct a “SupporterWall” which donors can choose to purchase different sized squares on which their names will be displayed. This grid is customizable and can be installed on your website. There are two options for payment, both of which are reasonably priced.

Top Stories in Literacy: April 9

More adults earning college credit for “life experience”
Getting credit for life experience such as working in jobs, starting businesses, serving in the military and volunteering time is attractive to adults who want to go back to school but feel overwhelmed by what it entails.

Jobs are there, for the right skills
One of the populations that holds the greatest promise is adults who started college but never finished. Many of these are people who are unemployed or underemployed and require new skills and training. According to the Stronger Nation report, there are now 2,136,681 adults across Florida that have completed some college but never earned a degree.

The Financial Literacy Movement
Some have blamed economic policy makers on Capitol Hill, while others like the Occupy Wall Street protesters have channeled their anger toward large corporate executives. However, a growing number of people point to the education system, in particular the lack of financial literacy education in the United States for our economic crisis.

Information Superhighway ‘Bypassing Adult Learners’
This British report concludes that although the internet has helped generations of young adults, adults continue to be disengaged from this learning opportunity.

The cost of high turnover in fundraising jobs
The average amount of time a fundraiser stays at his or her job: 16 months. The direct and indirect costs of finding a replacement: $127,650.

Top Literacy Stories: January 23

Nominate your favorite volunteer, literacy organization, or adult learner for an award at FLC’s annual conference!
Florida Literacy Coalition’s annual conference is coming up May 9-11 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront. At a special banquet at Conference, FLC will recognize organizations and individuals for their commitment and dedication to increasing adult and family literacy in the state of Florida.

Orlando Magic donates $1 million to education
The Orlando Magic’s charitable foundation gave out $1 million in grants Wednesday morning to 19 nonprofit organizations in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, boosting efforts to improve literacy, education and healthy lifestyles, and alleviate homelessness.

SEC Seeks Comment on Financial Literacy, Investor Disclosure
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comment on financial literacy and investor disclosure issues as part of its review mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

How to create your 2012 Nonprofit Career Plan
I know that many of you are happy doing what you are doing, but in case one of your resolutions is to accelerate in your career, I have the perfect site for you. This blog has several useful tools and resources for helping you plan the next part of your journey.