3 campaign-planning tips for nonprofits

May 29, 2014

There are a variety of ways that nonprofits bring in funds to support their missions and maintain operating budgets. One of the most common methods is fundraising campaigns.

While some donors contribute multiple times throughout the year, targeted campaigns draw in casual contributors, along with more dedicated patrons and those new to the cause. By highlighting a specific issue or area that a nonprofit wants to develop, it can be easier to bring in charitable gifts. Therefore, it's very important that organizations plan their campaigns and structure them for the highest level of possible success.

Here are three tips to help nonprofits have a successful fundraising effort:

Balance instincts with information and analysis: Experienced nonprofit staff shouldn't be afraid to follow a gut feeling about organizing a campaign, as long as data and metrics can support the decision. According to KnowHowNonProfit, understanding the results of previous efforts is vital to making a new campaign a success, so planning needs to be thorough. Understanding the availability of resources used for outreach and the demographics of the areas or contributors being targeted are two places where data can easily be used to support taking a campaign in a particular direction.
Use the "cost per impact" model: The Chronicle of Philanthropy advocates a system for measuring effectiveness called "cost per impact." This system measures how much input – be it money, efforts of volunteers and staff, goods or services – is required to create a positive outcome. Understanding the metrics of what is required to achieve a unit of success in a campaign can help guide fundraising efforts and better target new and returning donors. Although this approach requires an upfront financial obligation, it can improve long-term performance of a program and significantly reduce extraneous commitments of resources.
View campaigns as a cycle: No single nonprofit plan exists in a vacuum. Previous campaigns will have some impact on the current process, which will then impact future efforts. KnowHowNonProfit notes that the results of the last set of actions centered around a specific issue will provide important intelligence regarding the current campaign. Viewing the process as a cycle, where data gathered can positively influence future actions, can increase effectiveness across the board.

Content presented by First Nonprofit Group, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.

Testimonials

We’ve been a member of First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program since 2011 and highly recommend joining. The program is terrific and allows us to earn interest on our own funds while still meeting the state’s requirements on unemployment payments. In addition, the staff are great and always helpful sorting out any questions we may have. Thank you all!

NC Conservation Network, Raleigh, NC

CCSCT was approached by First NonProfit to discuss its Unemployment Savings Program and ways the program could significantly reduce the amount of unemployment taxes we were paying. At the time, our agency was paying approximately $80,000 per year. First NonProfit conducted an analysis to determine if making the switch would be in our best interest, and it clearly was based on our circumstances. The first year on the program, CCSCT saw a 70% reduction in its unemployment costs and each year, continues to experience further reductions as a result of having minimal claims. Some additional benefits of the program including having a fixed annual cost, an interest-baring reserve account, professional unemployment claims management and representation at all unemployment hearings. This has been one of the best decisions we have made.

Community Council of South Central Texas, Inc., Seguin, TX

We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!

CROSSPURPOSE, Denver, CO

Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.

Prevent Blindness America, Chicago, IL

Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.

Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Chicago, IL

It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.

Thresholds, Chicago, IL

NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.

New York Council of Nonprofits, Albany, NY

Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.

3 campaign-planning tips for nonprofits