Direct mail fundraising is a great way to increase your visibility, enlist new donors and renew annual contributions from established ones. However, with the wrong approach, it can also be expensive and time-consuming. Here are a few things you need to know to make sure your campaign is a profitable one.

The most important aspect of a direct mailing is your target audience. There are several ways to develop your list and get your letters out to the right people. The most obvious one is to start in-house. Ask your volunteers and board members for names of people they know who would be interested in your organization. You can also team up with organizations similar to yours and trade names, or you may wish to purchase mailing lists from a list broker.

Letters should be concise and to the point. If possible, keep your well-crafted appeal under two pages. Emphasize ...

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Non-profits depend on donations for survival. Corporations and even smaller businesses can assist your organization by providing financial or other types of contributions. One of the most important ways a business can help is by sponsoring your non-profit event. But how do you go about getting sponsorship?

The first step will be determining the event’s budget, so you know exactly how much money you will need to raise. Once you determine your need, set up different levels of sponsorship for the businesses you will solicit. Setting up a variety of sponsorships will ensure that different-sized companies can find a level of contribution that suits their budgets. Aim for several low-level ones for small businesses, a few mid-range levels, and a couple of larger levels for bigger companies. Keep in mind that some businesses may want to donate a venue, materials or services instead of cash. Decide how you will ...

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Are you considering a career in the non-profit sector? If you are looking for an opportunity to help others and give to the community, working for a non-profit might be for you.

There are many different types of non-profit careers in a range of areas and causes: arts, environmental, public health, civil rights, poverty, etc., and non-profit organizations need people with all levels of skills and experiences. Opportunities in the non-profit sector can include jobs in marketing, event planning and fund raising, among others.

Realize that working for a non-profit will be different from working for a for-profit organization. You may encounter less pay or erratic hours. Think about why you want to work for a non-profit. If you are not sure you want to have a non-profit career, but you are passionate about a cause, realize that you can always volunteer. That said, every non-profit is different, and you ...

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Non-profits depend on volunteers and there are many ways to find enthusiastic and hard-working people for your organization.  You can recruit volunteers by advertising with flyers or through various media outlets, but the best way is by word-of-mouth referrals from current staff and donors. You can also try an online volunteer matching site like Idealist.org or Volunteermatch.org.

Before you begin looking, think about where you need assistance and plan out how many people you will need and how long you’ll require their help. It is important to be organized. Be prepared so that workers are not sitting around bored with nothing to do – that’s the fastest way to lose volunteers! You may even want to write out a job description with a break down of responsibilities for each person. Have a designated place for them to work before they arrive.

Think about how someone will fit ...

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For those readers who are interested in working for non-profits but don’t know where to begin, we focus today on ways to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Next week, we’ll take a look from the non-profit side on how to recruit (and keep) great volunteers.

You know you’d like to volunteer and make the world a better place, but where do you begin? With so many great causes that need help, it can be difficult to pin down where you should dedicate your time and efforts. Think about what problems resonate for you.  Do you feel strongly about poverty, children, animals, or the environment? Concentrate on the issues you care about, then find and research the organizations that deal with your passion. Contact the ones you like for more information on how you can volunteer.

Think about what skills you can offer and how you ...

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An effective board of directors is essential to your non-profit’s success. The board is responsible for determining and upholding your mission and purpose, raising and managing funds, promoting the organization to the community, and adhering to all legal and ethical standards.

It is important to select competent and committed members who have a variety of skills and experience. When scouting for directors, look at prominent community leaders and those who have volunteered or donated to your organization. You may also want to advertise or ask around for recommendations. Whomever you choose should be comfortable with fundraising; someone who is shy or uncomfortable asking for money is not a good fit.

The board should consist of dependable members who will attend meetings, carry out assignments and work together as a team. Elect a diverse group. Ideally you should have a fundraiser, a lawyer, a public relations expert, and accountant on ...

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Should you start a non-profit? Where do you begin? First, you will need to determine whether non-profit status will serve your purpose. To do that, you must have a clear idea of what a non-profit actually is. 

A non-profit’s mission is to benefit the community and public rather than to make a profit. Non-profits can support charities, arts, religion, or research. There are many different types of non-profits. Your association can be an informal, unincorporated organization, like a self-help group, or you can incorporate your non-profit so that it is a separate legal organization (a good idea so that members can’t be held personally liable in a lawsuit).

Your very first step should be to write a mission statement. Clarify what you hope to accomplish with your non-profit, what services it will provide and who will benefit. After you’ve developed your purpose, do your research. Are you ...

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Online marketing is a good way to promote your non-profit and raise funds. To attract online donors, begin to market your website; include your web address in all direct marketing literature and reach out through email newsletters. Have your organization listed with a charity portal, a website that is essentially a directory of nonprofits and can accept donations on your behalf. You may also want to use social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter, to spread the word.

You will need to make sure you are registered to accept donations online. Also, consider whether you want to process credit card donations on your own or through an online giving site.

Hire a professional web designer to ensure your website is attractive and easy to navigate. Your mission should be clearly stated on the site. It is also a good idea to provide information on how a donation will be used ...

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Saying thank you is essential for maintaining relationships with donors. After receiving a donation, send a thank you letter promptly. Posting the note within the next 48 hours is best, but if that is not possible, be sure to mail it before the end of the week.

Don’t send out a one-size-fits-all generic letter. Show your appreciation by writing a customized, personalized message, specific to the donor in question. Let the donor know how you will use the money and what it means to your organization. Use a real signature, not a computerized one, and include a contact name and number of someone the donor can call with any questions. Adding a handwritten note from your organization’s director or president is also a nice touch.

Thank you letters can serve as proof of donation for tax purposes, so print the message on letterhead and indicate the amount received ...

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For the past two weeks, we’ve taken you through the steps of conducting a successful fundraising banquet. Today, with our final post on the topic, we explore ways to raise money at the banquet and also touch on some advice regarding guest speakers and entertainment.

There are several ways to raise funds for your organization at a banquet outside of the initial ticket sales. The opportunities are endless; all it takes is a bit of creativity and ingenuity.

One common way to make money is through a raffle. Sell the tickets at the front door as people enter the banquet, and announce the winners at the end of the evening. Prizes can include big-ticket items, like a vacation, or smaller items, such as the table centerpieces used at the dinner. Another fundraising option is to find a local photographer willing to donate his services for a good cause and ...