http://blog.firstgiving.com For all your online fundraising ideas, advice, and insights Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:38:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://blog.firstgiving.com/april-is-autism-awareness-month-2/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/april-is-autism-awareness-month-2/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:18 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12343 With the launch of FirstGiving Cares, we’ve committed ourselves to raising awareness for Autism during the month of April. We’re simply doing our part. Did you know?  Autism now affects 1 in 50 children Autism prevalence figures are growing Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism costs a family $60,000 a [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/april-is-autism-awareness-month-2/feed/ 1 http://blog.firstgiving.com/introducing-firstgiving-cares/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/introducing-firstgiving-cares/#comments Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:17 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12318 We believe in giving back. It’s why we’re proud to introduce FirstGiving Cares. FirstGiving Cares is a new initiative where we adopt a unique national cause every month. We want to do everything we can to raise awareness for the causes our nonprofits and individuals fundraisers feel so passionate about. After all, your cause is [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/introducing-firstgiving-cares/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/teach-your-nonprofit-supporters-how-to-do-anything-in-3-simple-steps/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/teach-your-nonprofit-supporters-how-to-do-anything-in-3-simple-steps/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:37 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12297 Do you ever find yourself in a teaching role? Nonprofits are often tasked with teaching their supporters. From event registration, page creation, to sending emails, your supporters often need step-by-step guides. Pedagogy (the theory of teaching) suggests a simple 3 step process – I do, we do, and you do. If followed correctly, you should [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/teach-your-nonprofit-supporters-how-to-do-anything-in-3-simple-steps/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/newsflash-just-because-your-event-is-done-doesnt-mean-your-fundraising-is/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/newsflash-just-because-your-event-is-done-doesnt-mean-your-fundraising-is/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:00:57 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12285   Never underestimate the power of post-event donations. You’d be amazed with the numbers we’ve seen come in after an event has passed. The best part? This big change only takes a little push! Send out targeted emails the day after an event to update supporters on your fundraising goal. Remember, you should be thanking [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/newsflash-just-because-your-event-is-done-doesnt-mean-your-fundraising-is/feed/ 1 http://blog.firstgiving.com/empower-your-nonprofit-evangelists-theyll-promote-you-better-than-you-ever-will/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/empower-your-nonprofit-evangelists-theyll-promote-you-better-than-you-ever-will/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:00:54 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12278 ]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/empower-your-nonprofit-evangelists-theyll-promote-you-better-than-you-ever-will/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/be-a-nonprofit-bee-craft-sweet-n-sticky-content-honey/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/be-a-nonprofit-bee-craft-sweet-n-sticky-content-honey/#comments Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:00:47 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12273 What do bees and smart nonprofits have in common? They both craft sweet n’ sticky content. The difference? Bees make honey, you craft engaging content. If your nonprofit is having difficulty retaining supporters, maybe your honey is not as sweet n’ sticky as you thought. Maybe you’re not producing the right flavor of honey to [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/be-a-nonprofit-bee-craft-sweet-n-sticky-content-honey/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/back-to-basics-with-social-media-its-quality-over-quantity/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/back-to-basics-with-social-media-its-quality-over-quantity/#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:00:20 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12248 Social media is a relationship tool. When dealing with relationships, think quality over quantity. It’s about effectiveness, not efficiency. If you’re worried about having a presence on every social media network, stop. It’s better that your nonprofit does well on Facebook than poorly on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Google+ combined. Only take on more when [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/back-to-basics-with-social-media-its-quality-over-quantity/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/what-to-consider-before-creating-a-content-calendar-for-your-nonprofit/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/what-to-consider-before-creating-a-content-calendar-for-your-nonprofit/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:39:28 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12241 A well oiled content calendar will do wonders for your nonprofit’s communication plan. Like most things, it’s about setting a proper foundation. Here’s how to set up an engaging content calendar for your nonprofit. Figure out what resources you can dedicate to creating content Here’s where you set expectations. How many staff members will be [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/what-to-consider-before-creating-a-content-calendar-for-your-nonprofit/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/firstgiving-is-now-integrated-with-eventbrite/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/firstgiving-is-now-integrated-with-eventbrite/#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:00:21 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12218 ]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/firstgiving-is-now-integrated-with-eventbrite/feed/ 0 http://blog.firstgiving.com/how-to-be-a-horrible-nonprofit-social-media-user/ http://blog.firstgiving.com/how-to-be-a-horrible-nonprofit-social-media-user/#comments Mon, 11 Mar 2013 07:00:24 +0000 Dan Fonseca http://blog.firstgiving.com/?p=12235 A couple weeks ago we posted “How to send your donor a horrible thank you email.” This week we jokingly explain how to be a horrible nonprofit social media user. These points may seem obviously incorrect but you can never be too careful! Use social media as a traditional broadcast tool Social media is the next [...]]]> http://blog.firstgiving.com/how-to-be-a-horrible-nonprofit-social-media-user/feed/ 2