Forward-thinking fundraising ideas When it comes to fundraising, there is one idea that never works: Doing the same thing year after year. Here are a few worthwhile articles offering some forward-thinking fundraising ideas that stretch beyond the status quo:
- Workplace Campaigns Go Hands-on--Innovative strategies for workplace giving are engaging companies and employees in new ways. Be sure to check out the "Tips for running a successful workplace campaign" in the right-hand column. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
- Nine Ideas to Take Your Fundraising to the Next Level--You've done your homework. You know your pitch. You believe in your mission, and understand the reasons donors give to your organization. Even so, you may feel that your fundraising has plateaued. Check out this article from Guidestar.org.
- How to Raise Money without Asking for Money--As a result of the economic climate, more organizations are looking to find ways for donors to help them financially without having to dip into their pocketbooks. Here are eight ways from Guidestar.org to ask supporters to raise money without writing a check.
- Reaching Out to Minorities and People Around the World Pays Big Dividends--United Ways barely eked out an increase in contributions last year, growing by just 0.4 percent nationally. But the news isn't all bad. One thing that seems to be working is what we call "affinity groups". Read the full article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
|
Local United Way News
 Metro United Way (Louisville)
The Novak Foundation has invested $400,000 to expand learning strategies at child care centers funded by Metro United Way within its seven-county region through the establishment of the Early Childhood Excellence (ECE) Academy. The ultimate goal is to exemplify high-quality early childhood education by having all of 16 child care centers who receive funding from Metro United Way viewed as the "Centers of Choice" for childcare.
"The generosity of David and Wendy Novak is leading the way in understanding that the power of early childhood education is truly life-changing," said Joe Tolan, President of Metro United Way. Read more.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky
Greg Landsman of The Strive Partnership, a Cincinnati-area child advocacy collaborative, wrote a recent op-ed for the Cincinnati Enquirer touting the importance of early childhood development for a child's future educational attainment, while highlighting the efforts of the local United Way. Read more.
United Way of South Central Kentucky (Somerset)
Helen Hieronymus, former Executive Director of United Way of South Central Kentucky, was recently celebrated in a heart-warming tribute article in the Commonwealth Journal. At 85, Helen is still an active member of her community...and just added sky-diving to her long list of accomplishments. Read more.
|
Early Childhood Education - The evidence is clear.
Eventually, if you have enough data to prove your point, people start paying attention. This is certainly the case when it comes to the importance of early childhood education on child's future success in work, school and life.
Here are three more articles explaining why efforts focused on investment in education are gaining steam:
|
New Unbanked/Underbanked Statistics
 This week, the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) announced the launch of the new national Bank On initiative website, www.joinbankon.org. The website is a hub for information about the national Bank On movement, and includes financial stability best practices and guides for bringing Bank On to local communities. Even if your community is not part of the Bank On movement, the website provides a searchable tool that allows individuals to view financial stability statistics by city and county. This tool offers data on households that are unbanked (those who are not involved with mainstream financial institutions) and underbanked (those who utilize mainstream financial instutions but still rely upon payday lenders, check cashing services, etc.). Available data includes:
- Estimates of the number of unbanked and underbanked households at the city/town, county, metro area and state levels
- Supplementary demographic data on at-risk populations in local communities
- Maps of unbanked and underbanked households down to the neighborhood level
- Customized reports on the financially underserved in local communities
|
