Today I’d like to take my 14 years experience managing a nonprofits and offer help for leaders in this area.
Download the guide at kayhelm.com/npguide.
1) A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J.M. Nouwen
You can read this through in one sitting. It’s only 50-60 pages. And it deals with the most important part of your fundraising–your mind. So many people start because of passion, but then run into a wall because fundraising feels like begging. So we’ve got to change our mindset. This is a book that invites us to examine our hearts, motives, and methods and align these with God’s word. If you come to me for fundraising coaching, Session One homework is to read this book.
2) FREEDOM Fundraising Framework: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign, by Mary Valloni
This book outlines Mary’s FREEDOM Fundraising Framework. Raising funds successfully and consistently requires strategy! The Freedom framework gives you that strategy, from clarifying your mission and message to building and deploying your teams and making your difference!I interviewed Mary in episode 42, and Mary has a podcast called Fundraising Freedom.
3) Fully Funded Academy
This resource is specifically for missionaries raising support. Fully Funded Academy is a monthly membership training program that gives you the clarity and confidence to launch, grow, and scale your financial support base. If you need more 1:1 support, I'm a Fully Funded Certified Coach.
4) Cairification, from Claire Axelrad
There are really only two blogs you need to follow. The first one is “Clairification” from Claire Axelrad. This blog is a tremendous source of knowledge on all things fundraising and philanthropy.
5) The Storytelling Nonprofit
The next blog is the Storytelling Nonprofit, from Vanessa Chase Lockshin. I interviewed Vanessa in episode 27. As the Storytelling Nonprofit, Vanessa’s focus is on recognizing, collecting and telling stories that help donors connect with our cause.
6) GuideStar (now part of Candid)
You need to be sure your organization is listed on GuideStar, and that you keep your listing updated each year. This is the place where foundations and funders will look to verify your information, got make sure you are a legit 501c3. So when you apply for a grant, and when you apply to get listed on other nonprofit sites like TechSoup, they need to find you here.
7) TechSoup
This next one will save you TONS of money on software and tech. Do NOT go to sketchy discount software stores where you could end up with pirated software, or malware. Get the real deal.
8) ECFA
For Christian nonprofit organizations, I want to mention ECFA. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. They produce some of the best resources (books, guides, webinars, and more) to guide your organization in areas of good governance and financial accountability. If you are just beginning the process of s
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!
