Clairification

JANUARY 11, 2024

Neither freedom nor responsibility are given; they’re taken. What will you do to achieve the necessary balance to keep your organization, your community, and our world in check? Seth Godin suggests it has a lot to do with the culture you/we build. The freedom loop We spend almost no time teaching toddlers about freedom.

IT 208

IT Template Nonprofit 208

Clairification

JUNE 27, 2024

Which, as it often does, brings me to share a bit of wisdom from the sage Seth Godin. Simple five step plan for just about everyone and everything The number of people you need to ask for permission keeps going down: Go, make something happen. Do work you’re proud of. Treat people with respect. Make big promises and keep them.

IT 189

IT Template Nonprofit 189

Clairification

JULY 11, 2024

And the sage who’s offering it up is none other than the inimitable Seth Godin. Plasticity It’s pretty easy for some kids to switch gears. They can go from sad to ebullient in seconds, and switch contexts without much fuss. Others have more trouble. As we get older, our natural ability to thrive in a new situation can decrease. Be open to change.

IT 189

IT Nonprofit Template 189

Clairification

MAY 2, 2024

It’s not always easy to find all the good stuff across the web. That’s why I do the work for you! Thanks again to my Clairity Click-it sponsor, Bloomerang , for making it possible for me to spend the time hunting and gathering. You’ll find this is another robust issue. Find a topic that interests you, and… click away! Think about it.

IT 204

IT Template Nonprofit Readiness 204

Clairification

MAY 30, 2024

If the surf or the powder isn’t great, leave it for the tourists. Good is insufficient, wait for the great moments… When we’re young, or the project is going really well, it’s easy to waste the good days. After all, there will be another one tomorrow. What becomes clear, though, is that good days are precious. Don’t waste it! What did you learn?

IT 195

IT Calendar Template Nonprofit 195

Clairification

MAY 18, 2023

This blew my mind: Seth Godin wrote people are really making good use of the free AI on his blog – and so far, it’s pretty trustworthy. I gave it a try, and these were the results. I asked “How do you choose a good vacation spot?” After all, it’s that time of year! Such a great answer, and not at all superficial to my mind.

AI 222

AI IT Template Nonprofit 222

Clairification

JANUARY 25, 2024

It’s been pretty cold in my neck of the woods, so let’s warm up with a cup of cocoa, coffee or tea and some good reads. I’ve got a lot of great stuff for you this week, so let’s get right to it! As always, I’ve also got a little piece of wisdom to share with you from the inimitable Seth Godin: The generous ask “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

IT 189

IT Nonprofit Template Goals 189

Clairification

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the news so much these days, I thought I’d help us all take a step back to discover, or finally understand, some of the basics. What it can do; what it can’t. Towards that end, my “special feature” this week includes some different perspectives on AI basics. More than last year? No ifs, ands or buts.

IT 195

IT AI Nonprofit Template 195

Clairification

APRIL 4, 2024

Did you know this year the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time ever , dropping from #15 to #23 ? Point is: the good life isn’t about “happiness.” It’s about meaning. Meaning is more resilient. More significant. More enduring. It emerges when we live out our most noble motivations. It’s a never ending game.

IT 195

IT Nonprofit Template 195

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Why is it so hard to say thank you? We spend a lot of time thinking about how to raise more money. We labor over the appeal: the language, the images, the right ask. And then, too often, we treat the thank you as an afterthought. It’s not that hard to write a good, emotional […] The post Why is it so damned hard to say thank you?

IT 232

IT Fundraising 232

Clairification

MARCH 7, 2024

[Okay, I do have a bit of Seth Godin wisdom to share, but this time it’s to be found below under “Articles/Events.” So, scroll down.] As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang , for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the resources I believe will be most useful to you.

IT 204

IT Template Nonprofit 204

Clairification

AUGUST 22, 2024

Let’s get right to this week’s collection of free resources! If you poke around this issue of the Clairity Click-it, I’m sure you’ll find something to help you DO SOMETHING positive to change the world — at least in your little corner of it. Or something simply to gladden other people’s lives. Or something to lighten your heart.

IT 183

IT Template Nonprofit 183

Clairification

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Let’s begin with this week’s bit of wisdom… “Let us conceive of gratitude in its largest, most beautiful sense, that if we receive any kindness we are debtor, not merely to one man, but to the whole world. We all prefer to join a rising tide rather than a sinking boat. Optimism is contagious, and will motivate people to connect with you.

IT 195

IT Nonprofit Calendar Template 195

Clairification

MAY 16, 2024

Exhausting! Inverting the vex “Life can be irritating. And sometimes, we can make a choice. The thing that’s vexing you: is it a situation or a problem? Problems have solutions. If we care enough, we can find a way to solve a problem, but it might cost more money, require more effort or involve more risk than we’d prefer. And if it’s a situation?

IT 183

IT Nonprofit Template Readiness 183

Clairification

DECEMBER 12, 2024

As we enter the season of light, and you move into full-steam-ahead year-end fundraising mode, theres something I want to remind you about your messaging. “Oh, by the way, its not about you. The biggest mistake you can make is thinking your organization is the story. People arent buying your organization. When someone asks: What do you do?

IT 161

IT Nonprofit Education Fundraising 161

Clairification

AUGUST 8, 2024

As you’re planning ahead, and readying your year-end fundraising initiatives, take a little time to think about your communication delivery mediums. Not to mention your message content. Are you reaching the right audiences, and making it easy for them? Are you sharing messaging that’s relevant to your constituents, and also authentically you?

Readiness 183

Readiness IT Template Nonprofit 183

Clairification

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Throwing shade or throwing light? One takes a little more effort than the other. While throwing shade might be more fun, it eventually runs out of energy. It’s designed to end conversations, not start them, to intimidate, not encourage. Turning on lights helps everyone. — Seth Godin You are on a meaning-seeking journey. Get curious!

IT 183

IT Template Nonprofit 183

Clairification

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Valentine’s Day reminds us to come from a place of love President’s Day gives a long weekend (in the U.S.) to relax But one of my favorites, on February 17th, is little known, and perfect for the social benefit sector. It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day ! Get creative!

IT 195

IT Template Nonprofit 195

Clairification

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

I’m beginning again, as I often do, with a bit of borrowed insight: The hierarchy of insight It looks like this: data information knowledge understanding wisdom Which do we measure the most, spend the most obtaining and argue about most often? We might have it backwards. — Seth Godin Do you glorify data above understanding?

IT 169

IT Template Nonprofit 169

Millionaire Grant Lady

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Current and potential MGL clients often ask me, “ If we are selected, how long will it take to get the grant money? ” I can empathize with their impatience and frustration, especially after completing such a long application preparation process. The time it takes to receive funds depends greatly on the type of grant you are pursuing.

Grants 130

Grants Grant IT Federal Grants 130

Clairification

OCTOBER 31, 2024

I’m beginning again, as I often do, with a bit of borrowed insight, this time from a colleague’s newsletter: If I had to sum up my advice for this week, it would be to don’t be scared. There are many reasons to feel scared. I understand that and want to acknowledge that feeling. So, start digging through the curated content from across the web.

IT 161

IT Calendar Nonprofit Template 161

Clairification

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

One that will again call upon our sector to do the hard work of healing our individual and collective wounds, mending the fissures in our communities, and holding us accountable to our stated values. And to do that, it’s going to be absolutely critical that nonprofits are really, really strong – from the inside out.

IT 215

IT Nonprofit Template Funding 215

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

OCTOBER 24, 2024

The foundation's decade-long Building Healthy Communities initiative set out to improve health in 14 California regions. It ended up redefining its approach to community change. Day parade. The foundation's decade-long Building Healthy Communities initiative set out to improve health in 14 California regions.

IT 124

IT 124

Clairification

AUGUST 19, 2024

It used to be so simple. You called donors over the phone, sent handwritten thank you notes, sometimes met with them in person. While you can reach more people now thanks to a variety of digital channels, building an authentic, lasting relationship feels harder. There are several reasons why. CURRENT RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING CHALLENGES 1.

IT 141

IT Media Fundraising 141

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Nonprofits may want to mention the election if it affects their work, but fundraising consultants say it doesn't make sense for other groups to change year-end messaging.

IT 132

IT Consulting Consulting Consultant 132

CauseVox

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

Let’s face it—keeping up with donation matches can feel like a race against the clock. Matching gifts often come with tight deadlines, and if you’re not promoting them effectively, you risk leaving money on the table. That’s where automated matching comes in. It’s a game-changer for busy teams who want to raise more while doing less.

IT 85

IT Metrics Goals Donation 85

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 12, 2024

It was a client kickoff call like so many others. After we made introductions, I asked about their donor CRM, jotting notes as they shared their hopes, frustrations, and data woes. As their list of frustrations grew and their unfulfilled hopes piled up, they asked me if I thought it was time to change to another donor CRM. See the lookbook!

CRM 84

CRM IT Budget Training 84

Candid

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Discover how we as individuals can give thoughtfully, balancing both head and heart, to ensure our donations make a lasting difference this giving season and beyond. We hope these strategies and resources help you achieve even greater success this GivingTuesday and throughout the Giving Season.

IT 105

IT Media Fundraising Donation 105

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

OCTOBER 24, 2024

The words that philanthropy and nonprofits use can stoke division, particularly in tense moments, a new study finds. Here's how to get your message across and bring people together after the election. By Drew Lindsay Shutterstock The words that philanthropy and nonprofits use can stoke division, particularly in tense moments, a new study finds.

IT 130

IT Nonprofit 130

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

The Carnegie Corporation of New York, founded by steel magnate and library builder Andrew Carnegie, thinks the public institutions can mend today's societal fractures. By Alex Daniels Illustration by the Chronicle; Library of Congress Top row, from left: the Carnegie Center in Phoenix, Ariz.; the 1918 Carnegie Library in Port Angeles, Wash.;

IT 131

IT Grants Grant 131

Ann Green's Nonprofit

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Beginning in 2012, Giving Tuesday has taken place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year it will be on December 3. I’m not going to tell you whether or not you should participate in Giving Tuesday. Perhaps you’re planning to participate for the first time. And, you don’t want your messages to resemble spam. This is where it often falls short.

Donation 303

Donation Policy Policies Media 303

Clairification

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Studies show one-fourth of all charitable giving happens in December. For some organizations (maybe yours?), it’s as much as one-third. Year-end fundraising is not chopped chicken liver! Specific solution you’re proposing to address the problem – with your donor’s help. Describe the problem.

Proposal 276

Proposal Readiness Fundraising IT 276

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

JANUARY 10, 2024

The grant innovator form is a simple document I use to organize an agency as it seeks grants. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this surprisingly valuable document by checking out the link at the end of this article. By asking your colleagues to fill it out, you will tactfully motivate them to help you get grant funding.

Grants 299

Grants Grant Funding Applicant 299

Clairification

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

And when you don’t make it easy for donors to choose to support your charity, you inevitably make it easy for them to choose not to. This is where I ask you how you view your role. Are you a philanthropy facilitator or a fundraiser? And why, do you think, making this distinction might matter? And people are giving. But… guess what? Lots of it.

Publishing 266

Publishing Fundraising Media IT 266

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MARCH 28, 2024

It’s spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, although in the Boston area it doesn’t feel like it right now. A lot of people use this time of the year to do some spring cleaning. I envy the people who do that because usually I’m not one of them. I know I should do more. As much as I dislike cleaning and organizing, I’m happy once it gets done.

CRM 289

CRM Nonprofit Template Donation 289

Clairification

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

This week the groundhog told us it’s going to be an early spring! Spring is always a good time for re-awakening, rebirth and just plain dusting away the cobwebs. And what a dreary, grave, cobwebby period it’s been. We’ve got a lot to clean up, reorganize and rethink. So much, in fact, it’s downright overwhelming.

Nonprofit 284

Nonprofit Fundraising IT Metrics 284

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

JANUARY 10, 2024

Parallel to the improvisation you do yourself as a grant writer, it is also important to know tools for helping your grant writing team improvise as well. Too often a lack of creative energy can be traced to the fact that various team members may be afraid of failing. Both have a role in the grant writing process.

Grant Writing 290

Grant Writing Grants Grant Proposal 290