Author: Muhammad Babangida Page 13 of 16

The Case for Team Fundraising

On May 24, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

Usually, when one thinks about fundraising, you picture the efforts of one determined, and probably exhausted, person. But, nowadays, that isn’t usually the case, since many that support a given cause come together to fundraise in the form of a team. These teams consist of family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues that band together to raise funds for charities.

This approach often yields better results than working alone. Here are three reasons why you should give it a try:

It Gives Confidence to New Supporters

If you are more of an occasional supporter or you are brand new to fundraising, you may feel more comfortable working within a group. The work will not seem as nerve-wracking if the responsibility of hitting a targeted goal is shared by several people.

You Can Appoint a Team Captain to Organize the Effort

Team captains can give everyone the encouragement and motivation they need to keep going. They also make a huge difference because a team campaign can become disjointed with so many “cooks in the kitchen.”

A seasoned leader can set appropriate, realistic goals and, based on every individual team member’s strength, assign tasks that each will excel at.

It Allows the Charity to Expand its Reach

Teams, by their very nature, are formed by many people, each with their own friends, families, and professional networks. These individuals each probably have social media, as well, and that means the fundraising pages can be shared many more times than through one person alone.

In conclusion, team fundraising is a great way to help others through charitable means while also improving upon and streamlining the process.

Transforming Your Philanthropy’s Digital Approach

By Muhammad Babangida

On March 13, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

In 2019, Blackbaud prepared their “Status of UK Fundraising Report,” where they asked Britain-based charities about some of the challenges they anticipated facing in the philanthropy sector over the next three years. A third of the charitable organizations surveyed expressed concern over feeling like they did not have the right tools and technology to reach potential donors. 42% of charities surveyed indicated that their biggest future challenge would be recruiting and retaining high-quality employees, and almost half of the non-profits Blackbaud interviewed suggested that keeping pace with new technological innovations would be extremely challenging over the next few years.

While all of these concerns pose legitimate challenges to Britain’s top philanthropic organizations, there is one strategy that can solve all of these problems — digital transformation.

The Benefits of Digital Transformation

If you’re unfamiliar with digital transformation in the philanthropic space, digital transformation simply means finding ways to utilize technology in order to make an organization’s work-flow more efficient and effective. The reason why experts have called it “digital transformation” is that when businesses utilize these processes correctly, they have the ability to positively transform their company.

How Non-Profits Can Utilize Digital Transformation

Although digital transformation sounds elaborate, digital transformation initiatives are very easy to implement and can be very effective for British philanthropic organizations wanting to improve their digital presence moving forward.

Charities located in the United Kingdom will be pleased to know that digital transformation is great if a company wants to streamline their day-to-day business routines. Just as importantly, digital transformation enhances employee communication, as well as helps to attract young talent.

Obstacles and Challenges to Digital Transformation

While the benefits of digitally transforming a philanthropic organization can be tremendous, there are definitely challenges when any British non-profit attempts to change its digital systems.

One challenge United Kingdom-based philanthropic organizations will likely face is changing systems that have been in place for many years. For example, many charities utilize dated payment transaction platforms to obtain donations from supporters.

These charities have often used these now-obsolete software programs for over a decade, so it can be very difficult for these organizations to transform themselves digitally by installing new payment software on their website.

Is it Important to Reward Donors?

By Muhammad Babangida

On February 19, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

The short answer is yes, it is extremely important to reward donors! When an organization takes the time to reward its donors, they create a long-lasting healthy relationship where both parties feel valued. What exactly is an appropriate donor reward? Keep reading to find out.

When considering a donor reward, it is important that the reward does not make the impression that the organization is wasting the donor’s money. The reward needs to be meaningful. This means that the person or organization giving the gift will have to go a bit deeper than a mug, t-shirt, or magnet.

One great way to make a connection through a reward is to show that a lot of time has been put into it. For example, make a journal and make specific entries throughout the year that reflect what the donor’s money is helping to do. This will need to be specific for each donor, so get a plan before getting started! Remember, handwritten is always more meaningful than something that is typed. If the time is available, go ahead and handwrite the journal entries.

Remember to show personality through the entries. Act as if you are writing to a friend. This will create a conversational tone to the journal and create a deeper connection with the donor. After the donor explores the journal, they’ll feel great knowing where their money went. They’ll also likely look forward to reading another journal next year! This is a great way to form a long-lasting relationship with donors.

If the organization has too many donors to provide each one with a handwritten journal, this idea can easily be taken to a digital level. Create a password protected webpage that can serve as a digital journal. Reward your donors with the password so that they can read the journal entries at their leisure. This will serve as great motivation for the organization to keep the journal updates since donors can be checking it at any time. This is also a great way to provide donors with an exclusive look inside the organization. Plus, it is inexpensive for the organization itself!

Creating People-First Culture

By Muhammad Babangida

On January 28, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

Our society has gradually been moving closer to a people-first culture, but some workplaces are finding it difficult to adapt to this trend. While there are many benefits to putting people first, it can be a challenge to make this a successful transition. As an employer or business owner, the following tips can help you set the standard for your staff.

Practice Patience
You should begin practicing a people-first culture in adapting your hiring process to be more focused on the candidates you attract. While it will take a greater investment of time, choosing the ideal candidate will help you build a better workplace culture. You should use your hiring process to ensure each employee brings value to the team.

Set the Example
Your employees will look to you to learn how to conduct themselves, so it’s important to set a good example. When you take on the role of their leader, you will want to embody positive traits that reinforce the people-first culture. This means being as honest and forthright as possible. This should involve creating open lines of communication between you and your team, while also encouraging them to communicate more freely with one another.

Know Your Team
Switching to a people-first culture requires that you take the time to get to know your employees and express empathy for them. Partly, this involves learning more about their roles in your organization and the skills they possess. It can be helpful to get to know them on a more personal level, so you can understand how their personal lives contribute to their performance at work.

When you adopt a people-first culture in the workplace, you’ll be helping your employees to create a more positive environment for everyone. This will encourage feelings of trust and mutual respect. It will also boost the overall morale of your team and. As a result, you’ll see an improvement in productivity.

Understanding Trends in Online Fundraising

By Muhammad Babangida

On January 13, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

Americans are very giving as a culture. As technology evolves, it’s become important to target potential donors online. One example of this is the COVID-19 epidemic. Where traditionally many museums and other non-profits hosted big parties to raise money, many of those events have gone online. Organizations that have been light on their feet and quick to adapt have been able to continue to raise funds in spite of social distancing.

Text-to-donate has also grown as a way to reach donors, particularly younger ones. People today are increasingly attached to their mobile phones. Smartphones have become the main place people organize their lives in many ways. And donors are willing to give via text in many cases. Organizations like the Red Cross have utilized this model with great success. Donors text a specific number, usually a 5-digit code. Donors are also willing to give to smaller, local charities they feel personally connected to with this model. Of course, it’s important to make sure donors are aware an organization is able to accept funds this way. Messaging via email or postal mail is a great way to make them aware of this. There are different software programs available to set this up.

Peer-to-peer fundraising is also a wonderful way for charities to increase online donations. Peer-to-peer means that people from the community ask their friends and family for donations. This is often done as a birthday fundraiser on platforms like Facebook. It’s a great way to keep giving at the forefront of a donor’s minds.

The Morals of Charity

By Muhammad Babangida

On July 15, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida

Very few people deny that helping other people is a good thing. After all, if someone can use their hard-earned cash to better the lives of an individual or group of people, why shouldn’t they? Everyone seems to win.

Still, there are significant questions posed about the method and motivation behind various charity endeavors that cause people to reconsider whether it’s a completely altruistic act 100% of the time.

How Do You Choose Where to Give?

There are thousands of different charities for people to choose, from disease prevention to poverty alleviation, so how does someone know which one to pick? Is it ethical to fund cancer research that could take decades to solve, for instance, instead of helping to make Sudanese orphans lives better now? The fact that people can choose what to do with their money is great, but if nobody picks the ones that are most necessary, how selfless are we really being?

Should Charity Be Taxed?

Supposedly, charity endeavors are tax-free in order to encourage people to give more, but should that really be the case? With the median income for executives at large non-profits set to approach the half-million mark soon, many would-be donors are arguing that any money given to charities should be taxed as well. Allowing people to donate money without taxation may help people, but it also shuffles money away from improving the infrastructure and government programs which help everyone.

Is Asking For Money Ethical?

Ask any marketing personnel at a non-profit sector and they’ll tell you how vital fundraising efforts are. Without it, very few would be able to survive, simply because most people wouldn’t be aware of the need in the first place. But is asking for money right, considering most fundraising efforts aim to make an emotional appeal to get donors to commit? Opponents claim that money given through such means are not always truly voluntary, thus nullifying the sincerity.

Do People Emphasize Charities Nearby?

If given the choice, nearly everyone would sacrifice a part of their personal belongings in order to save the life of a child in need, but how does that sacrificial attitude change when the need isn’t directly in front of someone? Out of sight, out of mind, right? In this case, the causes that people donate towards are the ones that they can see and hear directly, meaning distance can numb individuals to needs that are otherwise vital.

How Community Engagement Can Restore Trust in the Government

By Muhammad Babangida

On June 23, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida

Trust in government is an essential element in any democracy. Unfortunately for the United States, it’s currently running on a near-empty tank, as the gap between parties widens further with every passing day. While this is disheartening, the gap is not unbridgeable; simple human interaction can work wonders for combating this divisiveness.

When it comes to restoring trust in the government, why is community engagement important? Essentially, because it’s easier to trust in a system when one is actively engaged in fostering its growth and working alongside others who share a common purpose. This is what democracy is supposed to be about, but the political divide has made it difficult to move forward, with one side shouting for one thing while being drowned out by the other. Working together on a small scale will make even the largest problems seem less insurmountable.

The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) has created a template known as the Spectrum of Public Participation—a useful tool in breaking down the techniques of community participation along with a spectrum of public control. In essence, there are four different types of community effort: On the lower end, we have Inform, defined as reaching out to people and educating them on the issues; and consult, which is gathering feedback from said individuals and using it to move forward. As these two require effort mainly on the part of the community organizers, they’re satisfying when it comes to feelings of accomplishment, but limited in terms of control over the outcome.

On the higher end of the spectrum, there’s Collaborate, which partners the volunteers with the public moving forward; and Empower, which places the decisions solely in the hands of the public. These two don’t see much action in the community organizing process, because certain decisions are left up to elected officials. Still, those officials wouldn’t have been elected in the first place if it weren’t for the people working on both ends of the spectrum.

This is an important thing to remember when becoming involved in politics on any scale. It’s easy to become frustrated with the government, to imagine that the ones in power aren’t working in the interests of the public. In truth, however, this is a democracy; the public is the government.

How to be a Philanthropist Without Money

By Muhammad Babangida

On June 16, 2018

In Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

We often hear about the good that philanthropy can do for the donor, as well as for the recipients. The benefits of giving are numerous, regardless of the charity, but the media seems to focus on the charitable acts on the wealthy and the major corporations. Yet, one doesn’t have to be wealthy to be a good philanthropist. You only need to have the will to help and an open heart.

In fact, the concept of philanthropy without giving money was explored as early as 1940 by Corinne Updegraff Wells. In the article she penned for The Rotarian, Ms. Wells reveals that gift of philanthropy doesn’t always concern donating money. To prove her point, she shared the story of her neighbor who received the gift of “48 Tuesday afternoons” from a Mrs. B.

The gift of Tuesday afternoons was available any week, except in August, as Mrs. B was on a vacation of her own at that time. Otherwise, the lady took the place of Mrs. Wells’ neighbor, who was a mother of three and lived a hectic life as a stay at home mom. For each Tuesday, Mrs. B would babysit the children and take on all of the mother’s duties, so she could have those few short hours to herself.

While this story is quite dated, even today’s parents can recognize the value of a trustworthy babysitter. The gift cost Mrs. B nothing more than a few hours of her time, but, to that overworked mother, the gift was a tremendous gesture that offered her something that she might not have otherwise experienced.

Gifts of philanthropy can be of any nature. Even if you don’t have a penny to your name, there is certainly something you can give to another. A smile, some common courtesy, a little household help, or even a genuine interest in someone’s day can be enough to change a life. If you have a talent for music, writing, or art, those gifts can do more for one person than any gift of money.

Being a good philanthropist doesn’t always involve giving money or donating property. Instead, you can simply spend a little time each day helping out your neighbors or visiting with elderly individuals who may have no one else. Taking 20 minutes just to run to the grocery store for your neighbor may mean ensuring he’ll have food for the week. With a big heart and a willingness to help, you don’t need money to make a difference.

What Does it Mean to be a Philanthropist

By Muhammad Babangida

On June 8, 2018

In Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

In the past, philanthropy once solely focused on one’s empathy and desire to help others in society. Over time, that love for humanity has taken on a broader, more generalized theme, as people have donated resources to support the arts, new businesses, scientific research, and even government and political organizations.

A philanthropist is often one who is wealthy and one who has great resources to donate. He or she usually donates large sums of money to causes that mean something to them. In most cases, philanthropists will work through an organization to ensure their donations do reach the intended recipients. They may work alongside schools, art councils, private businesses, charity organizations, the media, or healthcare organizations. The desire to do good in this way can be prompted by any number of reasons, including a lack of meaning or morality in the philanthropist’s life.

Philanthropy Throughout History

When the Holy Roman Empire fell, so did the passion for philanthropy that the civilization had embraced. Those charitable endeavors were all but forgotten until the Italian Renaissance of the mid-15th century reignited an interest in humanism. Moral philosophy and ethics were especially important to the people of the day, influencing community leaders in the legal profession, business entrepreneurs, and in government.

Later, the Europe of the 16th and 17th centuries embraced more traditional themes of philanthropy. This was especially popular among the Scottish people, who felt the “key to happiness” lay in acts of philanthropy. Additionally, themes of self-development and living in harmony with the world around us become common endeavors.

By the time philanthropy became popular in the United States, during the 1800s, there was a mixed consensus about the practice. Some touted the good works of philanthropists, while others criticized them as “do-gooders” and cast a suspicious eye towards their acts. By the 20th century, however, private organizations helped to give philanthropists a better image and gave them better ways of distributing their donations. This helped philanthropy enter the mainstream, so, over the years, it has attracted donors from all walks of life. Today, business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to donate and, in some circles, it’s even expected of the more successful businesses.

Over the years, philanthropists have become as renowned as the celebrities of film, television, and modeling. From Dale Carnegie and Lance Armstrong to Bill and Melinda Gates, philanthropists are celebrated for their generosity and willingness to help build a better society. Through their acts of philanthropy, the wealthy and fortunate are helping to build a better society.

6 Steps to Creating Successful Community Engagement

By Muhammad Babangida

On June 1, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida

When looking to foster stronger connections within your community you’ve got to figure out how to create successful community engagement. It takes time, dedication, and consistency in order to do this and we’ve put together a list of 6 ways you can work towards creating more engagement within your community that will last.

Become familiar with the demographics

Familiarizing yourself with the demographics that are present in your community can help you refine your approach. No one needs to be targeted or excluded but becoming aware of the majority can give you a good place to start in building communal ties.

Encourage discussions to create relationships

One of the best ways to engage your community is by literally talking to them. Putting yourself out there and establishing a connection with others is a way for you to make them feel like they are a valuable part of the community and their presence and opinions are wanted.

Participate and host local events

Attend as well as host local events. By supporting other community efforts you will have more of an open floor to tell others about yours. This also makes room for potential collaborative efforts to create a bigger impact on the community.

Be a partner for your community

Become aware of the issues your community is facing and reach out to help them. Make them aware of the fact that their concerns mean something to you and get together to talk about addressing them.

Become aware of other community leaders

If you can build relationships with other community leaders you can promote each other’s efforts and even work together on particular projects. They also may have more exposure to the community than you do, and this can help to get your message out there and find those who it resonates with.

Start with your neighborhood

Do you know who your neighbors are and do they know you? Invite your neighbors over for potlucks, movie nights, or gatherings that talk about more serious issues in the community. Once you start having regular interactions with your neighbors they will more than likely start inviting their friends and family, further expanding the community.

Follow the tips on this list and watch at how the engagement within your community improves!