|
Welcome to Vantage Business Support & Insurance Services
VANTAGE has been servicing the nonprofit industry for over 35 years. Over the years we have accumulated much knowledge, contacts and experience in helping to establish nonprofits and help them grow. As such, we will be publishing a semimonthly newsletter geared toward providing nonprofits with the latest news, products, and guidelines to assist in their success and growth. Please feel free to comment and/or request topics that are important to you for us to research.
Thank you for being a part of the VANTAGE family.
|
|
Please view our products list in the right sidebar.
This is just a sampling of what we feel would be important to you. We have much more to offer. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at 877-886-8277 or click the link below.
CONTACT A VANTAGE PROFESSIONAL |
|
What Online Donors Want to See on Your Website
 It is tempting to think that websites are less important in this age of social media. But, as a recent report on young people revealed, the website may be more important than ever. People of all ages, are likely to research your nonprofit right at your home page before they give to you. Make sure that you make donating as easy as possible.
Jakob Nielsen, a web page usability expert, has found that bad nonprofit website design results in fewer online donations.
A recent Nielsen study asked participants to choose one of two charities (within the same category) after looking at their websites; and then to donate to the chosen charity, through the charity website, using their own credit cards.
The study found that participants wanted, most of all, to see an organization's mission, goals, objectives, and work. Secondly they wanted to know how the charity uses their donations and contributions.
Shockingly, only 43% of the 23 sites tested provided information about mission, goals, objectives, and work. And only 4% of the nonprofit websites gave information about how they use a giver's donation.
The study found that donors want to give to organizations that share their ideals and values. But, when choosing among charities that, say, help alleviate poverty around the world, donors want to know HOW the organization does that.
Going deeper, the study found that there were certain factors that are, simply, "donation-killers."
* Nearly half (47%) of the usability problems related to poor page and site design with unintuitive information architecture. Surprisingly, 17% of the sites made it hard for users to even find where to make a donation.
* More than half (53%) of the usability problems were related to unclear content, missing information and confusing terms.
* One of the worst problems was poor integration of local chapter sites with their national parent sites. When donors moved to a subsidiary site to find out what was being done in their local area, these sites looked completely different than the parent sites.
By and large, once donors moved on to the actual transaction, things moved fairly easily, especially when the process was similar to the merchant sites that they are accustomed to using.
The study suggests that fixing even minor usability problems could increase donations by 10%. That is a considerable improvement that justifies a little expense and time in fixing the bugs.
The study concludes that, "To improve fundraising, speak plainly and answer donors' main questions, and money will flow your way."
SOURCE: Joanne Fritz, About.com Guide
|
|
How to Convert One-Time or Annual Donors into Monthly Givers
 Thinking about monthly giving is one of the smartest things you can do as a fundraiser. At Network for Good, we find that 30-40% of the online donation volume coming from a nonprofit's website is monthly giving. It would wonderful for nonprofits to thanking people every month instead of asking them for donations every few weeks.
How do you do that? How do you turn your annual givers into monthly supporters?
* Make sure your donation form offers a recurring giving option. Whenever you're asking for money, ask for the monthly pledge, not just a one-time gift. (Need a donation form that allows and encourages donors to set up monthly giving?
* Revisit the language you're using in your appeals. Frame your ask in such a way that it's a win-win situation-monthly donations for you, convenience and budgeting for your donors. (Read more about the four parts of a great fundraising appeal.)
* Package the appeal in an exciting way. For example, some organizations have an ambassador program or a sponsor-a-child every month program. Put a face on that sustainable gift. This way you're creating some tangible tie to the idea of giving every month. Remember: To increase charitable donations, you should appeal to the heart--not the head.
* Don't be afraid to ask for a monthly gift of support after someone completes a one-time transaction. It can be ingrained as a nice thank-you message: "Thank you so much for making a one-time gift. This is how you can put your support to work for us each and every month. Would you consider becoming a monthly supporter?" This can be done when asking for another gift later in the year, but consider this: First-time online donors are more likely to turn into monthly donors within three days their original online gift. Think of using this strategy during the holidays when you're experiencing high traffic of one-time donations!
SOURCE: Adapted from the Nonprofit 911 Presentation "The Experts Are In! Your Online Fundraising and Nonprofit Marketing Questions Answered."
|
|
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
|
|
|
|
Nonprofit Products
|
VANTAGE has a wide range of products designed to sustain nonprofit success and growth. These products include:
Health Insurance Exchange
Group Medical
Group Dental / Vision
Business Liability
Directors & Officers
Errors & Omissions
Sexual Misconduct
Workers' Compensation
Employee Theft
Crime
Commercial Auto
Umbrella
Property
Product Liability
Start-up Assistance
Grant Request Preparation
Business Formation
Legal Assistance
Human Resources
Marketing
Business Planning
|
|
