What do you need to make your organization a great one? While success is difficult to define and measures of achievement vary, most influential non-profit’s will have the following attributes:

1. Effective leadership and a board of directors with a clear sense of the organization’s mission are essential.
2. A definable brand to identify your organization. Besides needing a successful marketing and fundraising strategy, a non-profit should build a strong brand that reflects the organization’s vision, values and mission.
3. An online presence. Any thriving non-profit today will have a website and an understanding of social media tools.
4. A means of tracking and measuring results. Donors want to know what, if any, progress an organization is making towards its mission. A competent non-profit will measure results and show the positive impact it is making on the community.

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One size may not fit all when it comes to attracting donors.  Research shows that organizations might need to consider gender differences when planning their fundraising strategies.  Several studies indicate that men and women demonstrate different patterns in charitable giving.

Men and women are influenced by different factors in giving and favor different types of charities, with women focusing on a strong personal connection to an organization or cause. Women are less likely than men to make donations for tax breaks and are more likely to consider the issues that affect them personally, such as breast cancer or family issues. Women are also more willing to give to an organization that has a single purpose.

The key aspect in attracting female philanthropists is building a relationship with them. Women are slower to commit to a charity and require more information about an organization before parting with their money. They, more ...

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Micro-funding using online social networks is a growing trend for charities and causes. It’s about reaching out and getting a lot of people to each give a little bit.

Micro-funding is taking off because it enables individuals to give on a smaller scale with little risk. Through sites like Facebook or Twitter, people can make micro-donations to your nonprofit using secure, third party donation tools. Just about anyone can raise funds for a cause using tools such as TipJoy, ChipIn, FirstGiving or Fundable, to name a few.

When people realize they can help make a difference for the price of a cup of coffee, they are more willing to give, and you can successfully raise funds for your organization without waiting for big donors, who are getting scarcer in this down economy.

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Every non-profit needs a mission statement to describe its purpose and keep its goals on track. It conveys your objective to your board members, staff and the community. A mission statement is also a branding tool that tells people who you are and what you do. It is necessary to promote your organization and is essential when seeking donations. You will also need it to obtain tax-exemption status.

When writing your statement, ask yourself, what is the intention of the organization? What is your function? What difference do we hope to make? Gather input from staff and board members. Your mission statement should declare your purpose, your service, and your values. Avoid flowery language. The best mission statements are clear, concise and focused; try to keep it to one sentence if possible. Don’t rush the process. This is one of the most important things you will do for your ...

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Is there a way you can develop a social conscience in your child and teach her to care about others?  Children shouldn’t have to wait until they are grown to start helping others; by then, it may be too late in today’s “me” culture. Carol Weisman, author of Raising Charitable Children, thinks you should introduce your children to volunteering and giving at an early age, even as young as three or four.

Teach your children compassion and generosity not only by example but also by actively engaging them, making philanthropy a family affair and a way of life. You can deduct a small amount, say a dollar, from your child’s allowance every week to be set aside for charitable giving. Or make it a tradition that every year on your child’s birthday, in addition to the regular presents, you let your child make a small donation ...

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Direct mail fundraising is a great way to increase your visibility, enlist new donors and renew annual contributions from established ones. However, with the wrong approach, it can also be expensive and time-consuming. Here are a few things you need to know to make sure your campaign is a profitable one.

The most important aspect of a direct mailing is your target audience. There are several ways to develop your list and get your letters out to the right people. The most obvious one is to start in-house. Ask your volunteers and board members for names of people they know who would be interested in your organization. You can also team up with organizations similar to yours and trade names, or you may wish to purchase mailing lists from a list broker.

Letters should be concise and to the point. If possible, keep your well-crafted appeal under two pages. Emphasize ...

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Non-profits depend on donations for survival. Corporations and even smaller businesses can assist your organization by providing financial or other types of contributions. One of the most important ways a business can help is by sponsoring your non-profit event. But how do you go about getting sponsorship?

The first step will be determining the event’s budget, so you know exactly how much money you will need to raise. Once you determine your need, set up different levels of sponsorship for the businesses you will solicit. Setting up a variety of sponsorships will ensure that different-sized companies can find a level of contribution that suits their budgets. Aim for several low-level ones for small businesses, a few mid-range levels, and a couple of larger levels for bigger companies. Keep in mind that some businesses may want to donate a venue, materials or services instead of cash. Decide how you will ...

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Are you considering a career in the non-profit sector? If you are looking for an opportunity to help others and give to the community, working for a non-profit might be for you.

There are many different types of non-profit careers in a range of areas and causes: arts, environmental, public health, civil rights, poverty, etc., and non-profit organizations need people with all levels of skills and experiences. Opportunities in the non-profit sector can include jobs in marketing, event planning and fund raising, among others.

Realize that working for a non-profit will be different from working for a for-profit organization. You may encounter less pay or erratic hours. Think about why you want to work for a non-profit. If you are not sure you want to have a non-profit career, but you are passionate about a cause, realize that you can always volunteer. That said, every non-profit is different, and you ...

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Non-profits depend on volunteers and there are many ways to find enthusiastic and hard-working people for your organization.  You can recruit volunteers by advertising with flyers or through various media outlets, but the best way is by word-of-mouth referrals from current staff and donors. You can also try an online volunteer matching site like Idealist.org or Volunteermatch.org.

Before you begin looking, think about where you need assistance and plan out how many people you will need and how long you’ll require their help. It is important to be organized. Be prepared so that workers are not sitting around bored with nothing to do – that’s the fastest way to lose volunteers! You may even want to write out a job description with a break down of responsibilities for each person. Have a designated place for them to work before they arrive.

Think about how someone will fit ...

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For those readers who are interested in working for non-profits but don’t know where to begin, we focus today on ways to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Next week, we’ll take a look from the non-profit side on how to recruit (and keep) great volunteers.

You know you’d like to volunteer and make the world a better place, but where do you begin? With so many great causes that need help, it can be difficult to pin down where you should dedicate your time and efforts. Think about what problems resonate for you.  Do you feel strongly about poverty, children, animals, or the environment? Concentrate on the issues you care about, then find and research the organizations that deal with your passion. Contact the ones you like for more information on how you can volunteer.

Think about what skills you can offer and how you ...