Blog - Muhammad Babangida | Philanthropy

Is Your Board Ready to Get Hands-On?

On July 15, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

A problem with boards across the United States is that they lack diversity. The reason is likely that boards recruit members that have similar thought processes as the existing members. However, it is important to note that a diverse board can lead to many successes.

To get the board ready to be hands-on, a few things will have to occur.

An open mindset.

To get hands-on, the board has to open their minds to new thought processes. Things will be uncomfortable at first because change is not comfortable. However, once this period of discomfort passes, the board will reap the successes of multiple viewpoints.

Organizational Goals

Once a more diverse team is established, it will likely be necessary to reflect on the organizational goals and possibly expand them. This will allow room for growth within the organization and allow all members to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Time Commitment

Establishing a diverse team and equity is no easy task. The board members have to be ready to put the time in to achieve this huge goal. This will likely need to be a discussion in which all board members are present, and the expectations are clearly outlined.

Multiple Leaders

The board cannot set out on this journey with a sole leader. To be effective, multiple people on the team will need to be passionate about this change and dedicate themselves to the project. This will put the board on the right track for success.

How to Get Loved Ones to Start Giving

By Muhammad Babangida

On July 13, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

When a person is passionate about a cause, it is natural for them to want family members to join and support. Most nonprofit contributors are individuals who want to see a change in society. They are not staff or prominent people. However, asking a family member to donate can be awkward, and an individual can be unsure of how to start the conversation. Here are ways in which an individual can encourage a loved one to start giving.

Tell a Story

Encouraging a loved one to donate may require more than dry statistics. An individual needs to use storytelling to show the impact of the cause on people and society.

Use Different Ways to Reach People

The use of social media can be of great benefit in reaching friends and family who are not in close contact. But for those that are close, a phone call or an email can be effective. An individual can also request loved ones to get involved in the cause other than making donations.

Make it Easy

It is important to have a proper donation channel. Eliminate guesswork and consider the various ways in which people make donations. Let them understand whether the organization can receive gifts.

Organize a Birthday Fundraiser

An individual can demonstrate commitment by asking friends to donate in honor of a birthday. Online platforms such as GoFundMe can be effective for this campaign.

5. Express Gratitude

An individual should always thank the potential donors even before they reach out for their wallets. It is also important to express gratitude when sending the message or when sharing the online platform link.

The Biggest Trends In Philanthropy for 2020

By Muhammad Babangida

On July 1, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

As the world evolves, philanthropy evolves as well. People are always finding new ways to give back and make a difference in the world, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter. While we’re halfway through 2020 and things are much more complicated than many expected in the world due to the global pandemic known as COVID-19, many trends are still occurring or can be expected to occur. Here are a few of the biggest trends we’ve seen and will continue to see in philanthropy as 2020 continues.

People Will Continue To Give Regardless Of If It’s Seen

While it can sometimes be hard to believe, people are giving back more than ever nowadays. The biggest difference is that you don’t always see people giving back to a charity. Many Americans give to crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe, or will try and raise money or needed supplies for families that are struggling. GoFundMe says that a new fundraiser is started on their site every 8 seconds, which is mind blowing to think about. More than ever people are trying to do better regardless of whether or not it makes them look good, and many are trying to make sure those donations go directly to the people in need as opposed to the organizations that act as intermediaries.

Philanthropy May Become More Polarized

With the 2020 presidential election fast approaching, many people will begin to donate to causes that may be the focus of some political conversations. This is commonly called “rage giving” and isn’t always the greatest way to approach philanthropy. This political polarization can cause larger funders to shift the way they approach their charitable giving, such as funders adopting a non traditional “charitable” LLC which helps them engage in policy debate more.

Tech Will Move Philanthropy More Than Ever

This trend likely doesn’t come as much of a surprise, and will also be a trend that we see for years to come. As time passes, technology becomes better. This is only inevitable, and the better tech becomes, the more people will utilize it to make their lives easier. This can be seen with philanthropy as well. Due to mobile phones and the existence of apps on our phones, it’s faster and easier than it ever has been to vet a nonprofit. They allow us to give to the causes we choose almost instantly, and it’s even easier to share that with our friends and family in hopes that they will also give back.

How to Handle Donor Fatigue the Right Way

By Muhammad Babangida

On June 29, 2020

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy, Youth Philanthropy

A lot of organizations dread to hear the words donor fatigue. It means that there is a lack of cash flow, which can be intimidating to think about. However, there is are ways to remedy donor fatigue.

Host Engaging Events

If people aren’t engaged, they likely will not feel inclined to make donations. It is important to create a comfortable space that promotes socialization. One great way to make the events comfortable for donors is to host events that are not fundraising events. The organization does not have to pour a lot of money into these events. Hosting events that are not meant to bring in donations allows donors to create relationships and learn about the cause in a no-pressure environment.

Communication is Key

Donors need to know where their money is going and the impact it is having. If the organization does not have a consistent way to communicate with donors, it needs to get one stat! This can be through a newsletter, social media page, or even text updates. There are plenty of tools available online to help automate this process if the organization has a large number of donors.

Find Out Why Donors Leave

It is no surprise that the business will lose some of its donors eventually. Use this opportunity to learn why the donor stopped donating. This information is valuable as the business continues to grow its relationships with donors. Be sure to ask in a courteous and non-obtrusive way in order to keep the relationship with past donors positive.

The Case for Team Fundraising

By Muhammad Babangida

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.