The Best Way To Encourage Online Giving

As a charitable nonprofit you rely on the support and generosity of donors for some or all your funding. While some of you are still using traditional giving methods, online giving has become the “new norm.” Here is the best way to encourage online giving.

Transitioning from traditional to online fundraising is simpler than you might think; plus it will increase your donor base from just your local community to national.

How To Create Online Fundraising Your Donors Will Love

Implement Online Giving

We spend hours on our cell phones or tablets each day, so it is safe to say technology reigns supreme. If you are not already using online fundraising, you are missing out on a major opportunity. 

As a nonprofit organization, it is critical to invest in simple online giving methods. Consider having a mobile version of your website created and utilize easy online donation programs such as PayPal, Square [Cash App is great too!], Givelify, etc. 

Keep Your Donation Form Short

Let’s be honest; no one wants to spend half an hour trying to donate to your organization. Simplify your donation form and eliminate unnecessary fields.

Typically donors will only briefly scan your donation forms before deciding to give. If your form appears long, extensive, and complex, you may be losing out on potential donors.

Test your platform. Ask a friend or third party to complete the form themselves to see what they found confusing, time-consuming, and flat out annoying. You have seen your donation form a million times, and you understand all the information asked. However, having someone unfamiliar with your donation process will gain a better understanding of what the average donor sees. 

Easy Access To Online Donation Form 

The easier it is to access, the easier it is for people to donate. 

Accessing your organization’s online donation platform should be a piece of cake for potential donors. If they have to go on a scavenger hunt to find a way to donate, they will likely give up in pursuit.

Large, colorful and clear “DONATE” buttons are always the way to go. Consider having a donate button at the top and bottom of your website or page, but do not go overboard with the donate buttons. The last thing you want to do is harass your potential donors and readers for an online donation.

Close With A Strong Call To Action (CTA)

Now that you have driven potential donors to your organization and informed them of the great things you do in your community, prompt them to donate.

This can be done through a “Donate Now” button or link that instruct donors on how they can make a difference such as, “Help Us Make A Difference In Your Community!”

Believe it or not, there are thousands of people that are looking for a charitable cause to donate to each year. Utilize these tips to attract potential donors and maintain your much-needed donor base. Once you have received donations be sure to keep accurate records so you can accurately file your 990 Form with ExpressTaxExempt at the close of your organization’s tax year.  

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How To Improve Relationships With Donors

Let’s be completely honest, donors are a nonprofit organization’s best friend!

Without donations from philanthropic individuals, businesses, and organizations, it is extremely difficult to effectively carry out the work of your organization.

Forming a good relationship with a donor can benefit your nonprofit organization significantly and allow you to help even more people in your community by connecting with a philanthropist.

Here are 10 ways to improve relationships with a donor:

10 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Improve Donor Relationships

What does it take to establish a good rapport and working relationship with a philanthropist or donor? It has to be more than a nicely written email or monthly newsletter, right?

Several of our clients shared their “secrets to success” when it comes to creating and maintaining a positive nonprofit-to-donor relationship. Being honest, transparent, authentic, trustworthy, and patient are characteristics that go furthest with a potential donor.

Once you have embraced these characteristics it’s time to put them into action. This can be done in 10 ways:

1) Take Risks - GO FOR IT!

2) Maintain open communication

3) Listen & Learn

4) Find common interests and build on them

5) Do a follow-up call or send a nice note after your initial meeting

6) Help promote their company at hosted events or online (social media/website)

7) Be interactive and open to feedback

8) Refrain from being defensive

9) Educate donors of your nonprofit organization

10) Be strategic

Utilize these characteristics and put them into action to help you grow as a nonprofit organization leader but also improve the overall reach and financial support of your beloved organization.

What To Do After You've Gained Donors

Once you’ve built a rapport with the donor(s) that you’ve been looking for, don’t forget to file your annual 990 Forms with ExpressTaxExempt. The last thing we want you to do is to gain a bunch of new donors and then lose your tax exempt status. ExpressTaxExempt will help you remain tax exempt and free from IRS penalties. Create an account or sign in today to handle your nonprofit organization’s tax filing needs.

What are some ways that you have attracted and kept a donor or philanthropist engaged over the years? Comment below so we can add them and share with others 😊.

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5 New Year's Resolutions for Tax Exempt Organizations

As we continue to make effective plans for an awesome 2018 work year, we wanted to share some New Year’s Resolutions with you that could greatly benefit your nonprofit organization. 

New Year’s Resolutions

1) Better Money Management

Gaining necessary funds to adequately run your nonprofit organization can be a challenge. Make every effort you can to closely manage the funds of your organization to maximize its usage and allocate accordingly for the fiscal year. 

2) Increase Your Social Media Presence

The world that we live in today is extremely driven by social media. Take advantage of this easy, free, and trendy method of communication! Having your nonprofit active on social media can increase your audience and interact with current and potential donors, supporters, and volunteers more frequently. 

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit are great to use. YouTube is also another way to promote your organization and its activities.

3) Revamp Your Organization’s Correspondence

This is actually one of the easiest resolutions to tackle. Instead of sending out the same generic correspondence each year, simply create something new! Rewrite your “thank you message,” website content, etc., to attract the attention of the reader. 

4) Redefine Your Target Audience 

In your upcoming team/staff meeting, take a few moments to analyze the mission of your organization and determine which audience(s) you should target this year. 

Having more than one target audience is okay!

5) Become Mobile-Friendly

With 9 of 10 American adults owning a mobile phone of some kind, it is extremely important that your website is mobile-friendly.

Mobile-friendly sites are very effective and useful for informing others about your organization and increasing online donations.

You Can Do It

While New Year’s resolutions require effort and dedication, these 5 resolutions can easily be accomplished by your organization during 2018. As always, the ExpressTaxExempt team is here to help you as much as possible. 

We’re just a phone call, email, or chat away if you ever have any questions or need assistance during any part of the e-filing process. 

Feel free to contact our support team of e-file experts at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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How To Strengthen Your Nonprofit Leadership

Many organizations recently completed a successful first quarter of service and are preparing for an exciting remainder of the year making a difference in their community. Some organizations may even have newly elected leaders lined up and ready to take the group to the next level. 

Good leaders strive to leave their organization in good standing and provide future leaders with ample information to ensure a smooth transition. While some organizations in this predicament may have a transition method in place to train new leaders, there are others that may need or want to implement some useful strategies to ensure the core leadership of their group remains solid. 

Strengthening the development of your organization’s leadership will result in a greater impact on the organization’s mission, increase overall revenue, and provide concrete stability which nonprofits need. 

ExpressTaxExempt understands that your purpose and mission is to help others, so we’ve provided some ways on how to strengthen your nonprofit leadership. 

How To Strengthen Your Nonprofit Leadership

BE ORGANIZED

Prior to beginning the new fiscal year for the organization, try your best to make sure things are organized so that leaders can focus on their duties without having to go against any unnecessary roadblocks. 

SET GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR

It is important to have realistic goals and objectives in place at the beginning of the year. Your organization will never reach its full potential without a clear vision and attainable goals. 

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION MEETING

This type of meeting involves immediately past and newly elected leaders of the organization. During this meeting, past leaders will give one-on-one training and insight to the new leader that will be taking on their [former] role. 

Having a Leadership Transition Binder is a great tool and gift to incoming leaders. This binder provides new leaders with all of the documents they will need to be successful in their new role. 

Information such as general “must-haves” like the organization’s bylaws, calendar of events, etc. as well as specific documents would be helpful. 

INFORM NEW LEADERS OF KEY EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Leadership roles that require working relationships or contacts with other leaders outside of the organization should be provided on a Contact Sheet. 

The contact sheet should be provided with contact information including the person’s name, title, email address, and phone number for each individual. 

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

To be successful in the nonprofit sector, you must be determined, hardworking, and passionate about what you do and those you serve. Although you must work hard to be effective, it is just as important for you and your team to “let your hair down” and enjoy each other’s company. Working too hard, and eventually becoming “burned out,” will affect everything you do in a negative way at some point. 

The ExpressTaxExempt team avoids this issue by doing fun team activities every Friday afternoon. For the last hour of the workday, our team splits into two groups and compete against each other in a variety of action-packed games. From charades to volleyball, these enjoyable moments together not only inspires further teamwork but also brightens the morale of the workplace and eliminates monotony in the office. 

We’re Always Here to Help

As you’ve probably noticed, we end almost all of our blogs with the reminder that we are here to help you...because we really mean it! The ExpressTaxExempt team is always just a phone call, email, or chat away if you ever have any questions or need assistance during any part of the e-filing process. 

Feel free to contact our support team of e-file experts at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

We hope that these useful tools and tips will be beneficial to the leadership of your organization. Don’t forget to maintain your tax-exempt status annually by filing with ExpressTaxExempt. Best wishes to your team as you prepare for the new year!

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