Tag: Philanthropy Page 11 of 13

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 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.

Starting Small How Much the First Donation Matters

By Muhammad Babangida

On May 20, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

Running a nonprofit charitable organization requires more than the ability to share your cause with others in hopes of a monetary contribution. Understanding how to appeal to potential donors while onboarding those who are loyal to the cause you represent is key to maintaining and growing a successful nonprofit organization. Learning just how much your organization’s first donation matters and how to expedite the process is a way to ensure you are on the right path with any type of charitable nonprofit you run.

The Snowball Effect

Obsessing over receiving your first donation as a nonprofit organization is not uncommon, especially when you are extremely eager to share the work you are doing for any cause you currently support. Achieving your first donation is not only desired psychologically, but it is also desirable to others who have an interest in donating to your cause but prefer organizations that already have live backers who have given their own contributions.

Understanding the “activation rate” with nonprofit organizations online is helpful to determine the best method of attracting new donors while raising financial contributions. Once your organization has received at least one donation from a patron, it is much more likely to go on to receive additional donations, even from first-time contributors. When users see that an organization has loyal followers and donors, they are more likely to make contributions themselves as they have gained trust by viewing the engagement of your campaign.

Learn more about how your first donation impacts the success of your fundraisers by keeping track of the number of pages you have created for your fundraiser, how many fundraisers received at least one donation, and the overall outcome of each individual fundraiser page. Keep track of how well various fundraisers pages perform both before and after you have received your first donation. Remaining aware of which type of fundraisers work best for your organization helps to launch future fundraising campaigns that are successful and attract loyal supporters and donors.

The more actively engaged you are with your users and potential donors during a fundraiser, the easier it becomes to pursue contributions and donations directly to your organization. When donors and supporters become familiar and trust your fundraisers (due to past donations), they are more likely to donate financially on their own in the future.

Questions to Ask in Order to Spot Your Most Dedicated Donors

By Muhammad Babangida

On May 7, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

Asking donors about their feelings and loyalty regarding your nonprofit organization is one way to ensure you are always moving forward in the right direction. Whenever you are seeking feedback from your most dedicated donors, there are three simple questions to ask allowing your donors to share their feedback on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being “strongly disagree” to 10 being “strongly agree”).

“Name of Your Nonprofit” is My Favorite Charitable Nonprofit Organization

Learn more about your donors by asking whether or not your nonprofit organization is considered a “favorite”. If your organization is not considered a favorite by an overwhelming number of donors, consider why this may be and what type of marketing or campaign strategies may work to remedy the issue.

I Am Committed to “Name of Your Nonprofit Organization” and Support Its Cause

Commitment is an important factor to keep in mind when running a nonprofit organization. Many donations to large charitable organizations come from repeat donors and donors who have been loyal to the nonprofit throughout the years. Building a long-lasting relationship with donors is essential for growth and expansion as a nonprofit, which is why it is key to inquire about whether or not your donors currently feel total and complete commitment to helping your cause. Determine the underlying root cause if donors simply do not feel as committed to your nonprofit organization to make the necessary changes for improvement.

I Have a Sense of Loyalty With “Name of Your Nonprofit”

Loyalty is also imperative when building a nonprofit, especially when you are doing so on your own or from the ground up. Inquire about the loyalty your donors have to your organization and whether there is anything you can do to help increase and boost loyalty with your most dedicated contributors. The more questions you ask your dedicated donors, the more likely you are to receive funds in the future when meeting the needs of those who contribute the most.

The better you understand your donors and where they stand on supporting and sharing more information about your cause, the easier it is to connect and communicate with them on an individual level. Getting to know the wants and needs of your most dedicated donors is a way to truly build a working and successful plan for any nonprofit organization you run.

Steps to Becoming a Better Philanthropist

By Muhammad Babangida

On April 18, 2018

In Community Engagement, Muhammad Babangida, Philanthropy

A philanthropist is a charitable person who uses his or her time, money, and energy to improve the living standards of other individuals. The philanthropist does not expect to be rewarded. Philanthropists are concerned with helping the unfortunate in the society by giving them necessities. Successful philanthropists focus on improving lives on a long-term basis by empowering poor people with the right skills and resources. However, it is good to understand that philanthropy should be a systematic approach which should always impact lives and bring tangible differences in the world by eradicating poverty. Below are various steps for successful philanthropy.

Goal Setting

A good philanthropist should have a well-organized plan that entails mission, vision, and objectives the organization wants to achieve within a specified period. Philanthropy usually involves finding a solution to the problems that affect people in the society. An organization with a plan will be able to research on the cause of the problem and involve the right expertise in solving the issue, which will play a significant role in saving time and resources.

Develop a Perfect Strategy

After setting attainable goals, a good philanthropist will concentrate on how to achieve them as soon as possible. Setting goals and developing a plan are the fundamental pillars of building successful philanthropy. Philanthropy usually depends on finances, philanthropic advisers, and government regulations. A philanthropist should look for multiple sources of income, which will assist him or her in achieving the set goals.

Perform Research Extensively

A successful philanthropist utilizes most of their time researching about the needy organizations and individuals before giving out their resources. Additionally, research helps the philanthropist in identifying the needy organizations that are worth to invest his time and money. There have been cases of ghost charitable organizations who keep on seeking money from philanthropists and misusing it rather than helping the needy.

Focus on Infrastructure

Philanthropy is not all about giving money and food. Good philanthropist focuses on the underlying issues in the infrastructure and establishes a permanent solution to the problem. In many regions, people have no access to clean water, medical facilities, and means of transportation. A good philanthropist will build hospitals to enable the community to access proper medical care. This will be a permanent solution, and the region dwellers will keep on benefiting from the hospital for a long time.

Therefore, successful philanthropists focus on the above essential elements and maintain their reputation that lasts for decades. Conclusively, philanthropists should mobilize people to work hard to attain their goals. They should be good role models.