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MARKETING SOLUTIONS: Non-Profits

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Looking for volunteers? Looking for ways to promote your non-profit? Looking for ways to communicate with volunteers, donars and sponsors? Need new fundraising ideas?

Ideas! Information! Inspiration!

MAD MARKETEER is a different kind of marketing company. The 'go-to marketing resource" for non-profits. We find you the BEST solutions and tools available ~ all within your budget ~ using our extensive network of agencies, vendors and resources.

Let us be your trusted source.

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PROMOTION! PROMOTION! PROMOTING YOUR NON-PROFIT OR CHARITY!

Here are ways to promote your organization and/or promote specific events that your organization is sponsoring.
Post your fundraisers with a wine or food theme
If your event has a wine or food theme, then non-profits and fundraisers can post your event for free. They have events around the world! You can get some good exposure through their site: so far they've had 600,000 visitors and a newsletter list of around 44,000.
Event Me: Spread the Word about your Fundraising Gala
As an event organizer, you know how difficult it is to attract the right crowd for your next event. Whether it's a launch party, a fundraising gala, or a tradeshow, it's always a new challenge to find enough of the right people.

Please note that EVENT ME supports charitable causes by offering particularly favorable terms to charity events. On occasion, they have accepted advertising for services or complimentary tickets to an event as payment for a part of their fees.

To promote events, simply describe your event and desired audience to the folks at Event Me. They will then select those subscribers who are most interested in your event and, upon your approval, email them with your invitation.

IN-KIND DONATIONS to your non-profit or charity

WHAT ARE IN-KIND DONATIONS?

One way for your non-profit or charity to get valuable donations is through PRODUCT donations. Many businesses will not make financial contributions nor will they provide any financial underwriting or sponsorship; however, they WILL make product donations.

"Product philanthropy is a key element today in many major companies' giving programs. In 2003, non-cash (product) donations comprised 49 percent of total contributions, according to a survey conducted by The Conference Board." (from Gifts In Kind web site)
Gifts In Kind
Driven by a mission of providing an effective conduit for the donation of products, goods and services from the private sector to the charitable sector, Gifts In Kind International is the recognized leader in the field of product philanthropy.

Ranked as one of the most cost-efficient charities in the world, Gifts In Kind International operates at less than 1 percent of the value of products, goods and services contributed annually. In 2004 alone, Gifts In Kind International and its global affiliates distributed nearly $820 million in quality products to a network of more than 200,000 charitable nonprofits around the world.

Gifts In Kind International is a registered 501(c)(3) U.S. nonprofit, charitable organization.
Trade Joe's Donations Program
Trade Joe's will donate products from their stores only. They do not make financial contributions. To request a donation, make a request in writing to the Captain of your local Trader Joe's store, at least three weeks in advance. Decribe your function and how you would like Trader Joe's to participate (i.e., products for a reception, an item to auction, a raffle prize, etc.)

FUNDRAISING SOLUTIONS: CHARITY MALLS

Charity Malls are web sites that allow users to purchase items from a network of online stores. A percent of the sale goes to charity. You can list your charity with any of these sites and encourage your supporters to shop through these sites.

HEARTof.com
Charity Malls.com
iGive.com
CareClicks.com

FUNDRAISING SOLUTIONS

Good Search: Tell everyone to use this Search Engine
All you do is use GoodSearch as your search engine. It is powered by Yahoo and it donates money to the charity you select every time you search - at no cost to you!! When founder Kenny Ramberg realized last year that search engines generated nearly $4 billion in advertising revenue, he started his own, aiming to donate 50 percent of the profits to charity. It's easy to use: Just go to GoodSearch.com, enter the charity you want to support in the provided field, and search. You can easily add it to your browser if you want to!
I Do Foundation: Partner with this site that brings charitable giving to weddings
Together with their corporate and nonprofit partners, the I Do Foundation links engaged couples with a host of charitable giving options at their wedding. The I Do Foundation uses a clear set of nonprofit criteria to screen and approve its recommended nonprofit partners. Visit this page to learn more about their application process.
Mission Fish: Raise money through trading on eBay
Raise money for your non-profit through trading on eBay! MissionFish makes it safe and easy for nonprofits to benefit from eBay, The World's Online Marketplace®. Register for free and give new prospects and active supporters alike a fun way to support your mission. Whether you need an easy way to convert in-kind donations into cash or a new way to invigorate your fundraising efforts, eBay Giving Works lets you turn millions of registered users into potential donors to your organization. (MissionFish is exclusive charity solution provider for eBay Giving Works.)

FUNDING AND GRANTS: Sources and Resources

SERVEnet
List of organizations and foundations that provide private funding and grants. List is complete with links and requirements. (GO TO "Help For NonProfits", GO TO LEFT NAVIGATION "Funding Opportunities"
GrantCraft
Good grant making isn't just a matter of being an expert in your field or community. It's a craft, with tools and skills developed over many years, by many people, in many kinds of grant programs.

At GrantCraft, they've talked to hundreds of grant makers. They've asked them about their experiences, core tensions, and breakthroughs. And they've distilled their practical wisdom into guides, videos, workshops, and other tools.

Join this growing community of practice. Find fresh ideas. And make a difference.

FUNDING AND GRANTS: WHO GIVES THEM?

Here is a list of a few of the organizations that give grants and donations.
CISCO
CISCO has several programs including:
Community Investment
Cisco Systems Foundation
Product Grant Program
Leadership Fellows Program

SEARCH TOOLS & RESOURCES TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS

According to a presentation given at the 2003 e-Philanthropy conference, 58% of computer users have searched online for information related to volunteering. Given that statistic, it is important that your organization and its needs are represented online.

Whether or not you have your own web site, you can still recruit volunteers by posting opportunities on the following sites.
Mentor
Welcome to the National Mentoring Partnership database! Mentoring.org makes it easy to recruit and manage new volunteers! Put your organization's mentoring opportunities online, track and manage your referrals in one easy step. You can be part of this database by registering your organization. This free service allows volunteers to access information about mentoring programs in their area and express an interest for those opportunities.
IdeaList
Registered organizations have the ability to:
-Create their own page on Idealist
-Post job, internship, volunteer& event listings
-Post program and campaign information
Online Volunteering
Receive support from online volunteers around the world. Organizations can post their assignments.
SERVEnet
SERVEnet is the premier website for nonprofit organizations looking to provide information and recruit volunteers. Your organization can create an account with SERVEnet in less than 5 minutes. After your account is approved, you will have the ability to post information and opportunities and automatically find volunteers for our opportunities.
Volunteer Match
Need Volunteers?

As the largest online network of participating nonprofits, VolunteerMatch attracts thousands of volunteers every day. They can help you find the volunteers you need!

RESOURCES

Developing & Implementing a VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM
Virtual volunteering means volunteer tasks completed, in whole or in part, via the Internet and a home or work computer. It's also known as online volunteering, cyber service, online mentoring, teletutoring and various other names. Virtual volunteering allows agencies to expand the benefits of their volunteer programs, by allowing for more volunteers to participate, and by utilizing volunteers in new areas.

Many people actively search for volunteer opportunities they can complete via home or work computers, because of time constraints, personal preference, a disability or a home-based obligation that prevents them from volunteering on-site. Virtual volunteering allows anyone to contribute time and expertise to not-for-profit organizations, schools, government offices and other agencies that utilize volunteer services, from his or her home or office.
Guide for Charities
While some information applies specifically to California, a lot of this info is standard for any state. Provides practical information and answers to questions frequently asked about charities. This guide is intended to help volunteers and others who serve as directors, officers, or fund-raisers for nonprofit charitable organizations.
Guide for Foundation Board Members
While some information may be state specific, most of the what is included is applicable to boards in any state. This brochures helps foundation board members understand their legal duties as well as provide best practice guidelines.
Community Partners (Southern California ONLY)
Are you thinking about starting a nonprofit organization? Want to know more about Community Partners' Nonprofit Incubator and our application process? See "How to Become a Community Partner".

Are you not ready to submit an application yet? Want general information about program planning in the nonprofit sector? Want to know about things to consider as you're getting started? Attend our free monthly 2-part Planning Workshop.

Are you affiliated with a foundation or other funder and want to know more about our Strategic Initiatives?

Community Partners provides a range of services to assist individuals, organizations and institutions in effectively addressing the complex social, economic and policy issues facing the Southern California region. We do this in three ways. Our Incubator for Emerging Groups provides support to social entrepreneurs with ideas for significant responses to community challenges. Strategic Initiatives provide program management, coordination and technical assistance to local and statewide initiatives. And, we build civic capacity in Southern California by working with residents and community leaders to assist them in bringing together local stakeholders to build a response to community challenges.

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Katharine

Katharine is a marketeer, branding expert and entrepreneur with over 17 years experience in high-tech, Internet, software, telecommunications, non-profit... more »

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