Will Jumo.com Bring Tools Needed for Online Donor Relations?

March 26th, 2010

As donor recognition consultants, we’ve been monitoring the social media tools available for online donor communication. Last week’s technology and philanthropy pages were a-buzz with news of Facebook co-founder, Chris Hughes’ latest idea, Jumo.com.  The site claims, “Jumo brings together everyday individuals and organizations to speed the pace of global change. We connect people to the issues, organizations, and individuals relevant to them to foster lasting relationships and meaningful action.” Hughes’ e-blast announcement was quoted as saying, “We believe we can leverage the participatory web to foster long-term engagement with the issues and organizations that are relevant to each individual.” Continue reading »

What Donors Look for on Your Website

December 9th, 2009

Tuesday, 12/08/2009, I heard Penelope Burk speak at the Association of Donor Relations Professionals in Baltimore.  As always, she was charming AND informative, handing out jewels of information in a concise yet authoritative way.  Over the next few weeks I’ll surely be fanning ideas she sparked for me; for now, let me share this priceless insight on how donors use non-profits’ websites. Continue reading »

Non-Traditional Donor Recognition Outlets

December 8th, 2009

Monday I had the good fortune to participate in a session at the Association of Donor Relations Professionals annual conference in Baltimore.  I sat on a panel discussing “tricks from the experts”.  My portion of the presentation focused on ways to recognize donors beyond traditional plaques and printed lists.  Specifically, we considered avenues available to those who either have no physical space for traditional donor recognition or are interested in exploring new methods for engaging donors and potential donors alike. Continue reading »

“Buying Legacy”: Donors RARELY give for self-serving reasons!

November 11th, 2009

A recent Bloomberg article blew my mind!  It’s titled, Getting Your Name on a Building Gets Cheaper as Non-Profits Compete. The article considers the possibility that donors may be able to negotiate gift amounts for naming opportunities during this economic crisis. True enough.  Yet it also calls the act of giving “the price for immortality,” claiming that donors “buy” recognition.  Nowhere in the article is there any mention of the basic tenet that donors give out of passion for a cause and that they do so to advance the mission of the organization.  I’m offended on behalf of all philanthropists and fundraisers.  I can only hope that the fundraising consultants mentioned in the article were misquoted to serve the author’s sarcastic premise. Continue reading »