As the new year approaches, like everyone else, nonprofit organizations also begin to set their goals. Providing several essential services to communities, it is important that they have a robust plan to achieve those goals. Here are a few tips for nonprofit organizations to ensure they begin their year on a strong note.
Partner With Schools for Volunteer Programs
It is mutually beneficial for schools and nonprofit organizations to partner together. Students are often looking for volunteer opportunities. Having a structured program at school that connects them with several organizations is an easy and impactful way to ensure that every child can contribute their time to a cause they care about.
Schools can reach out to organizations that provide mobile hotspots devices for schools to ensure that students can research more about the nonprofits they can volunteer with. When students have more knowledge about the impact their work can create, they are more likely to want to volunteer.
Rethink Your Budget
While nonprofit organizations always keep an eye on their budget, it may help to take a fresh look at the numbers. One of the best ways to make your dollar go further is to partner with different organizations to see if some can provide assistance with different things.
For instance, a car rental company may be willing to lend cars to your nonprofit for a nominal cost. Or, another organization may provide low-cost internet for nonprofits. Or, a food delivery company may want to partner with you to provide meals to your field staff. The key to saving money is to think out of the box.
Plan Fundraising Events in Advance
Fundraising is an important part of a nonprofit’s work. However, it can also be the most challenging to accomplish. It is a good idea to take the time to plan fundraising events well in advance. This will help you mitigate any risks and will also give you time to think of some creative ways to engage your donors.
When planning a fundraising event, don’t limit yourself to real life events. You can consider hosting events on social media platforms to attract people to make small donations. If a large number of people find your content engaging, their small contributions can add up.
Leverage Digital Marketing Channels
It is a boon to be able to have so many channels to reach out to your community. Many nonprofits often do not spend enough time building a strong digital presence. Use all your social media channels to share your story. If well told, it is sure to connect with people. When using digital marketing, it is important for you to remember that certain channels, such as paid ad channels, can get quite expensive. Consider investing more in other owned channels such as email marketing and your website.
Appreciate Your Supporters
While it is important to seek out new supporters, it is equally, if not more important that you acknowledge and appreciate those who already support your cause. This group of people can also provide you with word of mouth referrals, which will automatically bring more people to your nonprofit.
A few ways you can show appreciation for your supporters include sending out thank you cards, sharing quarterly impact reports, and giving them a shoutout in your newsletter or on your social media channels.
Being a nonprofit definitely takes a lot of work. However, by planning your year early, you can ensure that you not only set realistic goals for yourself, but that you also map out how you plan to achieve those goals.
