If you’re feeling out of control, wearing way too many hats, don’t have enough time in your day to get it all done, then this session is for you. We’ll show you how to:

• Manage all of your fundraising activities in one place.
• Build meaningful relationships with your supporters through personalized appeals, easy segmentation, and unique communication channels like video messaging.
• Attract new donors, increase gift amounts, and drive recurring giving with beautifully branded giving pages.
• Re-engage lapsed donors.
• Utilize built-in communication tools and templates to save time.
• Run successful virtual/hybrid events and auctions.

Regain control and see how you can take the reins of your year-end strategy.

Speaker: Travis Schautteet, Senior Fundraising Consultant

The post A Live Demo of Network for Good appeared first on Network for Good.

Learn how, with just two people at your organization, you can begin this transformative journey today, regardless of your technical expertise.

This webinar will dive into the key roles of Leader and Driver, two people who can immediately get you started on digital success. You’ll learn that these roles don’t require technical backgrounds and can be filled by individuals passionate about leveraging technology for your organization’s mission and success.

Key Takeaways:

• Responsibilities and actions of both the Leader and the Driver
• Self-assessment of your organization’s current technology state
• Toolkit with essential resources to help you establish these roles effectively (job descriptions, communication templates, meeting agendas)

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical guidance on leveraging the power of just two people to drive your nonprofit’s technology transformation.

Speaker: Tim Lockie, Founder of The Human Stack

The post Unlocking Digital Success with Just Two People appeared first on Network for Good.

In 2022, we shared the exciting news that Network for Good joined other leading social good technology companies CyberGrants, EveryAction, and Social Solutions to become Bonterra. Together, our goal is to fundamentally change the way social good is delivered by empowering the doers of good to advance their missions through a connective, comprehensive technology ecosystem dedicated to achieving unprecedented outcomes that drive sustainable impact across entire communities.  

While we’re excited to offer solutions to support doers of good across the social good space, the guiding values of Network for Good and our commitment to empowering small- and medium-sized nonprofits are shared across the Bonterra team. We remain committed to providing the tools and support you need to fulfill your mission more efficiently and effectively and providing best-in-class resources to help you develop and execute successful fundraising campaigns.  

As we continue as Bonterra, we understand that you have questions about what this means for you. Below, we have addressed some of the most common questions we have received. Additionally, we’re excited to share a peek into what innovations are coming soon on the Network for Good product roadmap.  

Why should I be excited that Network for Good has joined Bonterra? 

As we mentioned above, Bonterra’s goal is to create a comprehensive technology ecosystem. While our customers will still work with the same team members on the same, secure software they love, they will be able to benefit from best practices provided by other parts of our platform that they may not have considered in the past. What we know about our customers and those in the market for technology solutions is that there is a deep desire for aggregated information that they can act on rather than an overly technical solution or a single infrastructure.  

As a company that touches all parts of the social good landscape, Bonterra has a unique opportunity to gain a bird’s eye view of fundraising dollars, grant distribution, corporate social responsibility, volunteering, and the delivery of services. Bonterra is able to better understand what led to outcomes or changes across communities and share that understanding with our customers in meaningful ways. This understanding, along with the expanded technology ecosystem, will allow us to more effectively innovate on the Network for Good product for the future. Plus, Bonterra can grow and scale with your organization, with solutions designed for nonprofits of all sizes.  

Network for Good has historically been a leading resource for small– to medium-sized nonprofits. How will Bonterra continue to support and prioritize our specific needs? 

Bonterra remains committed to empowering small- and medium-sized nonprofits. We will continue to produce resources specifically meant to serve the small- to medium-sized nonprofit audience through blog posts, eGuides, webinars, a customer knowledge base, and more. Additionally, we will still provide innovative simple, smart all-in-one software to help you streamline your fundraising efforts and better support your mission.  

How will Network for Good continuing as Bonterra affect my experience within the platform? 

While the branding within the product interface will look different soon, the tools you count on will remain and continue to serve your needs. While we will continue to work on ways to innovate and improve the product and customer experience, the existing tools and easy-to-use interface will remain the same. Keep reading to learn more about the exciting updates coming within our product roadmap.  

Will Bonterra still provide the same level of support I have experienced as a Network for Good customer? 

While there are exciting changes coming, one thing that will not change is your relationship with us. You will continue working with the same support, training, and service teams.  Your data will be stored, managed, and serviced in the same, secure way. We will continue offering our services and honoring the commitments under your current contract without change, and there is no action you need to take.   

Will the Jumpstart program change under Bonterra? 

No, there will be no fundamental changes to the Jumpstart program. The program elements, such as the needs assessment, coaching engagement, educational curriculum, platform, technical assistance opportunities, and reporting, will remain the same. 

How will Bonterra continue to innovate the product to provide upgrades to the user experience going forward? 

Over the next several months, we’re excited to roll out some exciting product upgrades to allow us to better serve you!  

Mobile payment options: 

We recently introduced Google Pay, which makes it easier for your donors to give on Network for Good fundraising pages and events. This feature has been highly requested by Network for Good customers to make giving as effortless (and rewarding!) as possible for donors—regardless of their device or browser. Plus, Google Pay and features faster disbursements, so our customers will have access to their funds sooner. Stay tuned! Apple Pay will soon be available as part of this update.  

Making payment information ready at the push of a button is a focus across Bonterra. That’s why easy-to-use digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available for our CyberGrants customers with a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. 

Standalone Auctions: 

With standalone Auctions, customers will have the opportunity to purchase an auction without having the full Network for Good platform. This will allow anyone who may be interested in Network for Good a chance to experience the product. Plus, customers who need Auctions software for a single event can purchase a single auction to meet their needs. Stay tuned for more details about this new offering soon.   

Continued Auctions upgrades: 

In addition to offering Auctions as a standalone option, we’re introducing new features so you can better manage your auction experience. Currently, when you host an auction through our platform, you have the option to require participants to enter their credit card before bidding, which means you don’t need to chase down bidders for payment after the auction concludes. 

We’re enhancing the admin dashboard to the Auctions platform, which will provide you with the most important information before, during, and after the auction. This means you will be able to quickly and easily complete tasks, generate more bidding activity during the auction, and easily communicate with your bidders.   

Better fundraising features: 

Finally, we plan to continue adding features to the product to make you a better fundraiser. Specifically, we want to help you more easily re-engage donors who haven’t given in the last 12 months. This will include in-product engagement paths and insights you can utilize to create effective campaigns to re-engage those lapsed donors.  

We believe relationships are how things get done, and our relationships with our customers are at the heart of our solutions. We aim to continue equipping you with the tools you need to support your mission, connect the dots, and improve outcomes across communities. We look forward to continuing our journey as Bonterra, together. Learn more about how Bonterra is investing in our unified solutions to do better across the social good landscape. 

Published: June 20, 2023

The post What to expect in 2023 and beyond as Network for Good continues as Bonterra appeared first on Network for Good.

1. Getting board to fundraise and host house parties:

Remember the 3B framework. What is the key behavior that you want the board member to do, what is the barrier, and what are the benefits? Engage board members why the fundraising activity benefits them and the organization, and explain the value of their individual participation. Remove barriers by making it easy. You can provide templates, scripts, and training to make them comfortable with this process. Encourage them to “be ambassadors” instead of simply “supporters” to appeal to a sense of identity and commitment. 

2. Addressing overextended board president:

First of all, term limits are good and healthy for organizational growth and development. But this is a governance issue that requires delicate handling. You might consider an open, respectful discussion during a board meeting about the importance of board rotation for fresh perspectives and shared leadership. External resources or consultants in nonprofit governance could provide advice or facilitate this conversation. Consider using a delayed implementation strategy so that board members aren’t immediately kicked off but have three to five years before they term off and have to wait before being re-invited to serve. 

3. Articulating the return on investment for fundraising tools:

The key is to communicate that investment in tools like a donor database is an investment in the long-term sustainability of the organization. While it might take time to see tangible results, it will improve efficiency, deepen relationships with donors, and ultimately increase fundraising success. The example from the webinar that we’re all comfortable with is our retirement funds. We set aside money today for future use that’s potentially decades away. 

4. Fundraising responsibility without a development committee:

Ideally, all board members should be engaged in fundraising efforts – in some way. The board chair, in collaboration with the executive director, could play a leading role in rallying board members around fundraising initiatives. A dedicated fundraising or development committee can be a future goal if it’s right for your organization. Remember that someone who will do the work is better than someone holding the title. More importantly, people shouldn’t be forced to solicit if they aren’t comfortable doing so. Find roles for each board member appropriate to them. 

5. Engaging a board not used to fundraising:

Training and education are key. Host a board training session specific to the 3B framework. Identify different key behaviors, address barriers, and assign benefits. It can be very helpful to share what would happen if fundraising doesn’t happen and also how easy it is for each person to have a significant impact with incremental effort. For example, tens of thousands of dollars can be raised by board members identifying just one monthly donor each month for their board term. 

6. Board members as CEOs of other nonprofits:

Frame their participation in fundraising not as competition but as synergy. Their fundraising skills and networks could benefit your organization without taking away from theirs. Ideally, there are systems in place to help these board members engage potential donors that are non-competitive. Similarly, there are opportunities to engage in the fundraising cycle without soliciting donors. 

7. Expecting every board member to participate in fundraising:

Every board member should be involved in some way in the process of fundraising. Not everyone has to be directly asking for money, but all can contribute time or talent or treasure, whether by leveraging networks, hosting events, writing thank-you notes, or making personal contributions. Some entities still require 100% board giving but don’t specify the amount so $1 meets that threshold. 

8. Validity of give and get commitments:

These commitments can still be valuable, but they need to be flexible and context-specific. For some boards, a give/get policy works well. For others, it may create barriers. The key is to create a culture of giving that works for your organization. Personally, I would be skeptical of their effectiveness in most organizations because the give/get only excludes to the downside. Meaning, if your threshold is $100,000. Anyone who can’t give that is excluded but someone who might otherwise give $1 million might just give $100.000. Many big organizations have trustees that just meet the threshold. 

9. Board members uncomfortable with asking for money:

Encourage them to see fundraising as mission-sharing. It’s about offering opportunities for others to contribute to a cause they care about. Offer training and support to make them more comfortable with fundraising conversations. I often ask board members in training sessions what buying decision was the most memorable e.g. a purchase they were super happy about. As they share those stories, they can palpably see and feel what it’s like to share a worthwhile experience with others. 

10. Board term limits:

Term limits can bring fresh ideas and prevent board stagnation. They need to be implemented thoughtfully to maintain organizational memory and continuity. Address concerns openly with your board and seek to create a balance between new energy and experienced guidance. Off ramps are also helpful to board members who don’t want to feel stuck serving in certain seasons of life.  

We hope you found this webinar helpful as you work with your board to secure fundraising support. Have another topic you’d like us to cover in an upcoming webinar? Click here to submit your feedback.

Plus, download our brief, A Case for Change: How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Board, which includes a board memo template and a board presentation template to help you prepare a top-notch pitch!  

Published: June 13, 2023

The post Boosting Board Buy-In: Your Questions About Board Engagement and More Answered appeared first on Network for Good.

Join us for a compelling webinar on the six most important vitals for nonprofit digital transformation and the importance of investing not only in technology, but the staff members using it.

During our webinar, you’ll learn more about the tech and human stacks and discover where you excel and where there’s room for growth. Tim will do a deep dive into each vital and show how they impact your organization’s overall digital health.

You will have the opportunity to take the FREE assessment at the beginning of the session to learn more about your tech and human strengths so you can follow along and better understand your personal results.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a better understanding of how you can better serve your staff (and yourself) first, focus on technology second, to achieve better fundraising results!

Speaker: Tim Lockie, Founder & CEO of The Human Stack

The post Humans and Tech Unite: How Nonprofits Can Make the Most of Technology appeared first on Network for Good.

Part of the challenge lies in the fact that results from such investments are not immediately tangible. The return on investment for fundraising tools, for instance, may take a year or more to be seen, making it difficult for board members to calculate the direct impact. Similarly, investing in fundraising capacity, such as staff development or fundraising consultants, requires an upfront financial commitment that does not pay off immediately. 

Despite these challenges, the opportunities that come with increased investment in fundraising are substantial. Greater fundraising capacity can lead to more significant donor engagement, higher donor retention rates, and ultimately, increased funds for the organization’s mission. Advanced fundraising tools can streamline operations, improve data management, and facilitate more personalized and effective donor communications. 

Studies demonstrate these benefits as well. As described in the recent webinar, Boosting Board Buy-in: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising, two specific reference points may be helpful:  

• Across all institution types, the return on investment in 2018 was 942.9 percent. In general, higher investment yields higher returns. (CASE) 

• A Giving USA study found that a dollar invested in a major gift program produces, on average, $24 in revenue. A dollar invested in a direct mail program produces $10. A dollar invested in a special event produces $3.20. (Harvard Business Review) 

Given these potential benefits, the question becomes: how can nonprofit professionals effectively convince their boards to make these investments?  

First and foremost, it is important to remember that we’re not able to convince anyone of something that they are completely opposed to. However, we are able to help move people to agreement if we follow proven frameworks for change management and persuasion. Drawing on insights from thought leaders like Phil M. Jones, John Kotter, and Jonah Berger, nonprofit professionals can learn effective strategies to secure board buy-in for critical fundraising investments. These strategies involve understanding the board, crafting a compelling value proposition, strategically using language, and confidently handling objections. The successful application of these methods can significantly transform your organization’s fundraising capacity and impact. 

Understanding Your Board: Building a Foundation for Persuasion 

Begin with understanding your board members—their motivations, their concerns, and how they think about investment in fundraising. Recognize that your board comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and unique perspectives.  

Creating a Strong Value Proposition 

Once you understand your board, it’s time to craft a compelling value proposition. The value proposition should align with both the organization’s mission and the board’s motivations. It’s about making the board see how investing in fundraising can deliver value, whether in terms of increasing efficiency, growing donor bases, or advancing the organization’s mission.  

Magic Words and Subtle Language Shifts: Phil M. Jones and Jonah Berger’s Insights 

Phil M. Jones and Jonah Berger’s insights are instrumental in structuring persuasive conversations. Jones’s “magic words” and Berger’s principles of subtle language shifts can be powerful tools.  

Handling Objections with Confidence 

Objections are an expected part of the decision-making process. Prepare for potential objections, and address them confidently and respectfully. Jonah Berger’s advice on speaking with confidence and using concrete language can be incredibly beneficial when addressing objections. Remember that validating the other person’s viewpoint can open up a more constructive conversation. 

Case Studies and Examples: The Proof of the Pudding 

Sharing case studies of successful instances of securing board buy-in can be extremely persuasive. Demonstrating proven methods and results provides tangible evidence of the potential impact of investing in fundraising. 

Engaging Your Board in Fundraising: An Ongoing Conversation 

Securing board buy-in is not a one-off task but an ongoing conversation. By understanding your board, crafting a strong value proposition, effectively using “magic words” and language shifts, and handling objections with confidence, you can involve your board in fundraising growth.  

Author: Cherian Koshy, VP of Philanthropy at Merit America and Founder of the Nonprofit Operating System

Interested in learning more? Watch our on-demand webinar, Boosting Board Buy-in: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising featuring Cherian Koshy. 

Put these tips into practice by downloading our brief, Build a Case for Change: How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Nonprofit Board, which includes a board memo template and a board presentation template to help you prepare a top-notch pitch!  

Published: June 6, 2023

The post Securing Support: 6 Strategies for Convincing Your Board to Invest in Fundraising appeared first on Network for Good.

Benefits of Network for Good’s mobile payment options: 

Raise more money more efficiently: By offering multiple payment options, nonprofits can appeal to a broader range of donors and make it easier for them to contribute to their cause. 

You can ensure convenient and secure payment options for donors: Allow donors to make payments quickly, easily, and with peace of mind from their mobile devices. 

You can access your funds sooner: Google Pay features faster disbursements for donations. Donations made through this platform are disbursed in five business days, meaning you receive your funds sooner. 

Apple Pay will soon be available as a part of this update.  

Published: June 5, 2023

The post Google Pay Makes Donating Through Network for Good That Much Simpler! appeared first on Network for Good.

Download the tools you need to pitch new fundraising software to your board and make your team’s work easier, more efficient, and more successful.

If your nonprofit isn’t using fundraising software, or if the software you currently use isn’t effectively supporting your needs, then it’s time to approach your board about a better way. The right fundraising software makes it easy to track donors over time, automate and target your communications, manage event ticketing and promotion, cultivate major donors, and more. It also helps your organization save time, money, and staff resources—benefits that speak loudly to your executive board.

As a fundraising pro, you probably know a lot about this subject, but your board members likely need a little Fundraising Software 101. That’s why we wrote this brief for you!

Arrive prepared to answer all your board’s questions. Use this brief to organize your thoughts. Then, use our customizable templates to create a ready-to-deliver board presentation and memo that make a winning case.  

The post How to Pitch Fundraising Software to Your Board appeared first on Network for Good.

Are you wearing way too many hats and juggling too many priorities? Don’t have enough time in your day to get it all done? Then Network for Good’s simple, smart fundraising solution was built for you—a small nonprofit making a big impact.

In this session, we’ll show you how to:

• Manage all of your fundraising activities in one place.
• Build meaningful relationships with your supporters through personalized appeals, easy segmentation, and unique communication channels like video messaging.
• Attract new donors, increase gift amounts, and drive recurring giving with beautifully branded giving pages.
• Re-engage lapsed donors.
• Collaborate with your board, volunteers, and staff to increase impact.
• Run successful virtual/hybrid events and auctions.

Speaker: MacKenzie Kuhn, Senior Fundraising Sales Consultant

The post A Live Demo of Network for Good appeared first on Network for Good.

Erika McCall, founder and CEO of Go For Yours, is proud of the innovative approach the organization takes. “One thing I love about our programs is that we create a nontraditional, co-curricular learning experience where we bring the students to LA because [all education doesn’t have to take place] in the classroom … Some of these students have never been to California. There’s a handful that have never been on a plane … they’re all leaders in their communities, but they can only go so far without certain access and opportunities. And LA is the perfect place to have access to certain dreams.”

Since its founding in 2017, Go For Yours has provided over $10,000 in scholarships and recently sent over 1,000 students from various cities to private showings of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” as part of its Dream Experience. 

Erika says the program is forever growing, and fundraising plays a huge role in that growth. That’s where Network for Good comes in. The organization raised over $40,000 in its first six months with Network for Good. 

Streamlining Fundraising Efforts with an Easy-to-Use Platform

Go For Yours has been fundraising since 2018, and Erika says they tried several platforms including PayPal and Stripe before making the switch to Network for Good. 

“It’s just always been by the grace of God where [funds] falls out of the sky,” Erika said. “We just planned and then hoped the money would come. But that’s not the way I want to continue to operate … Moving forward, I want to plan better with fundraising, and Network for Good has helped me do that.”

The platform has allowed her to collect donor information, integrate online fundraising into the organization’s website, and more effectively manage marketing activities like the Go For Yours email newsletter. 

Utilizing Fundraising Pages to Boost Donations

Erika utilized Network for Good’s fundraising page feature to create a branded campaign which she shared with her network through Facebook and email. By asking for donations of $10 or more, she was able to raise nearly $12,000 in less than three months for the Go For Yours Dream Experience. 

Erika says since Network for Good allowed her to create a more professional looking page that featured a list of recent donors, it encouraged more people to contribute. The campaign even attracted several celebrity donors. “I think Network for Good helped show me the progress, this is how much we have raised and how much we really have the ability to raise to reach our goals through this platform.”

Another way Go For Yours utilizes fundraising pages is by creating dedicated pages for some of the students taking part in the program. This allows the organization to share the personal stories of its students and gives them the chance to ask friends and family to donate on their behalf.  

Tackling Big Challenges with All-in-One Software

In addition to creating more professional looking branded fundraising campaigns, Network for Good has allowed Erika to better track donor data, boost her confidence as a fundraiser, and conduct surveys to improve students’ experience with their programs.

The platform has allowed Go For Yours to track more granular donor data such as phone numbers, email addresses, and even mailing addresses. Plus, the built-in templates and communications tools allow Erika to easily engage with donors and track fundraising milestones. Having a clean donor database and communication tools have been key to enhancing the organization’s fundraising strategy. 

“I am a naturally shy person,” Erika said. “And nobody likes to ask for money but [Network for Good] helped boost my confidence because I had it right there … I have the messaging; I am able to create a whole [donor outreach] formula. So, it definitely helped boost my confidence in fundraising, knowing I can raise this much money.”

Erika is always striving to improve the programming offered by Go For Yours. She says while fundraising is a key part of its success, Network for Good’s survey feature has allowed her to collect feedback from students participating in the program so she can also continue to innovate and develop creative experiences. 

The Importance of Investing in Technology

While it may not be a top priority for some nonprofits, Erika says investing in technology like Network for Good is essential to thriving in today’s environment. While making an investment like this with a possible recession on the horizon may not seem like a good idea, technology will ultimately make fundraising and donor management easier.

“If you don’t have that technology, then you’re missing  out on a huge network of important people,” Erika said.  “I can count on my hand, how many checks I get in the mail … it’s not a lot. And so that technology piece is important to invest in … your brand is important, your marketing, all of these things are important because it’s a business and you want to make sure that you have the tools that keep you ahead of the game like Network for Good has helped me stay ahead of the game.”

Interested in learning more about how Network for Good can help streamline your fundraising efforts, and help you raise more? Request a free demo today!

Published: March 9, 2023

The post How Go For Yours Streamlined its Fundraising Efforts and Built Its Brand Through Network for Good appeared first on Network for Good.