Category Archives: Fundraising

Represent an Environmental Org? Read This!

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I am looking for donor appeal letters from environmental organizations of various types (conservation, environmental justice, grassroots, policy, etc.) on a variety of topics. I’ll be collecting them between now and October 1 and will be reviewing them for great techniques to share (and not-so-great techniques to avoid).

If you have a letter that has worked for you in the past I would love a copy! And if you have a letter that sort of bombed I’m interested in that, too!

I will share my analysis, and your letter may be featured in my upcoming workshops on this topic (thus, your org will get more exposure).

Want to share?

Please attach a note about the success of the letter (it can even be written on the back of the envelope) and send to:

Dalya Massachi
PO Box 5607
Berkeley, CA 94705

I look forward to reporting back!

Thanks,

A great new way to benefit from “Writing to Make a Difference”

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Have you found inspiration, support and practical ideas from Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact?

Hundreds of people already have, from many different walks of life: nonprofiteers, small business entrepreneurs, students, government agency staff, consultants, volunteers…the list goes on.

A few comments from readers:

“It’s as though I have a personal writing coach looking over my shoulder with a smile to encourage me to make what I’ve written more clear and more effective. I heartily recommend this book. It will give you confidence and the specific tips you need to make your writing sing.” — A reader on Amazon.com

“Writing to Make a Difference is the best writing tool you could have for your socially responsible business. If you write event announcements, newsletters, fundraising letters,  press releases, business letters or any related writing, you need this book.  And don’t forget email, websites and posting online.  This is an organized and practical manual; it is easy to use and fun to read.  You will use these techniques every day.” – Diane Adkin, US Sales Coordinator, Canaan Fair Trade

“Writing to Make a Difference is the most thorough, practical, compellingly readable, downright inspiring guide to nonprofit writing that I have ever seen. If you write or if you edit writing by others—this book will help you do a better job.” — Genevieve Richardson, Librarian, Dayton Metro Library

“Writing to Make a Difference is a great balance of both instructional and interactive tips, tools, and exercises for those who want to effectively communicate the difference they are making in the world. — Alandra L. Washington, Deputy Director, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“This is one book I would recommend to every member of my team – grant writers, fundraisers, staff, and every board member.” — Johnson Hor, Esq, Board member, Art Endowment, Inspire to Do, Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco

“I’m very impressed with this book. Every progressive organization should have a well-thumbed copy handy.” — Susan C. Strong, Executive Director, The Metaphor Project

“Writing to Make a Difference is a rare book of welcome mixtures, combining the accessibility of a “how-to” guide, rigor of an educational text, and practicality of a professional manual—all presented with the warmth of a trusted friend.” — A reader on Amazon.com

Now there’s another way you can benefit from the book! Just tell your friends about it by sending them to this link: http://bit.ly/c64ABf . Ask them to write in the purchase comments box:

“referred by (followed by your name and email address)”

and YOU will receive $2 (via PayPal) for each purchase they make. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make, so go for it!

If you prefer to have your bonus donated to a nonprofit organization of your choice, just have your friends put the nonprofit’s name and email address in the comments box.

We all could use a little bonus here and there (especially in this struggling economy) so I hope you take advantage of this special offer.

‘Chronicle of Philanthropy’ podcast on grantseeking: Part 2 now online

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The second installment of the 3-part podcast series on grantseeking is now online!  “Fundraising Fundamentals,” a podcast of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, is featuring me and some of my clients this June, July, and August.

In the second episode, “How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal,” I say:

“Foundations are looking to make a social investment with their money. They’re looking for positive outcomes and a positive return on their investment.”

I go on to explain what a proposal should achieve and what elements it should include. Caroline Pappajohn, director of foundation relations and marketing at New Door Ventures, also offers her perspective.

On the show, I refer to a Sample Grant Proposal Format. You can download your copy right HERE! (Note that this is only a sample; always go by the funder’s requested format.)

Also check out the first episode, about ways to research grant makers and prepare to write grant proposals.

The third episode, which focuses on the readers and your relationships with them, will be online in August.

“Fundraising Fundamentals” is a monthly series hosted by Tony Martignetti. The show interviews nonprofit leaders and consultants about how organizations can more effectively raise money, build better relationships with boards and supporters, and manage volunteers. Look for new installments on the third Thursday of each month.

Now Live: New Chronicle of Philanthropy podcast series on grantseeking

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This summer “Fundraising Fundamentals,” the podcast of  The Chronicle of Philanthropy, is hosting a three-part series on grantseeking.  I’m joining host Tony Martignetti on all three of the 10-minute segments, as we explore the life cycle of a grant proposal. Joining us are representatives of three of my client organizations: Gooden College Connection, New Door Ventures, and Electronics TakeBack Coalition.

The June installment just went live and is focused on prospect research: finding the right funders to approach. The Chronicle’s website introduces the segment, titled “Why Thinking Small Helps Win Big Grant Money,” this way:

Nonprofits often ask foundations to pay for a big, comprehensive program, but they might be more successful if they figure out small pieces that a grant maker might pay for.

“I encourage them to slice and dice their work into different discrete projects,” says Dalya Massachi, author of Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact.

For example, foundations might be willing to pay for a project that serves a particular community or a certain group of people; piecing together lots of little grants might increase the odds of success over pitching one grant with a big price tag.

In the first of a three-part series about how to win more grants, Ms. Massachi offers tips for grant seekers and advice on how to use free resources to find out more information about foundations, companies, and the grants they offer.

She is joined by Ruth Kleinman, a board member at Gooden College Connection, which guides high-school students from poverty-ridden neighborhoods in West Contra Costa County, Calif., as they seek admission to college.

You can listen to the podcast HERE. I’ll let you know when the other 2 installments go live in July and August.

Are you keeping track of your org’s stories?

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I recently returned from speaking at the Fair Trade Federation‘s national conference in Bellevue, WA. As I write this, I am enjoying a cup of fair trade tea from Equal Exchange, one of the several dozen organizations represented at the conference.

Crafts, coffee, clothing, accessories, food, and many other items are all part of this growing movement. The idea is to use grassroots international trade to economically empower the producers of these handcrafted (and often beautiful) goods from the Global South. You may think fair trade is only a tiny fraction of U.S. trade, and it is. But it’s rapidly spreading and it’s big business in Europe and other places. If the Fair Trade Federation has anything to say about it, we’ll be seeing a lot more in the coming years!

I spoke at the conference about using storytelling for marketing success. What kind of stories? I’m talking about slice-of-life word snapshots that can crystallize messages for your readers  (often called “case studies” or  “before-and-after stories”). These are stories that come from your clients/customers, from your producers, from within your organization, and even about the very products and services you offer.

Stories form bonds from one person to the next. Without a mutual sense of story, we can’t really understand each other. Stories ensure that you are making a human connection with your reader.

The idea is to illustrate your context and community needs and  show how real people benefit from working with your organization and why that’s important to them.

I recommend building a stockpile of  these little gems. At the conference, I handed out what I call a “Storybank Record.” It’s a simple Excel sheet that helps you keep track of your stories, where they came from, and what they are about. It’s something to keep for ongoing reference and revision.

It has columns for:

DATE, PROGRAM NAME, THEME/STORYLINE, CHARACTERS, SOURCE, and ANY PERMISSION NEEDED.

Where do you dig up these stories? Thee live all around you! Check:

  • Written/spoken client evaluations and reports
  • Focus groups or conversations at public events
  • Any letters or emails your organization has received
  • Water cooler conversations at your office

You may even want to regularly secure a brief spot on your staff meeting agenda. Ask  about any recent interactions folks have had that illustrate the impact of your work. Then follow up with individual interviews, and don’t be afraid to ask if you can quote people.

While my presentation was focused on using stories in marketing materials, you can also use them in grant proposals, funder reports, webpages, and a slew of other documents you write.