Last week the Packard Foundation hosted a convening on “Data Informed Philanthropy," an effort to explore and build digital systems that enable philanthropies to be truly data-informed.    This term means having effective systems for collecting, analyzing, and making sense of data  to inform and enable greater impact with funding.      Here's a small list of articles and blog posts that help frame this topic, including how the term "Data-Informed" was using in my recent book, "Measuring the … [Read more...]

Halloween offers a great hook for your nonprofit's content strategy, a campaign theme, or special fundraiser.   You can also have some fun with your social media content.    Judging by the data on this Infographic by HalloweenCostumes.com, people  love to participate - from handing out candy, hosting parties, and dressing in costume.      Here's a few examples of how nonprofits are scaring their supporters today! Every Halloween the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers these clever and fun cards for … [Read more...]

Note from Beth: Last year at the NTC, I facilitated a plenary session on learning from failure - a topic that I've been curating for years and lately, have seen a number of failfests and failcons popping up including these two coming up in November - in NYC and SF.    One big nonprofit fail is crafting effective pitches or calls to action that align across a ladder of engagement.    Erica Mills has shared this guest post about why some nonprofit pitches fail and some tips on how to fix them. … [Read more...]

[slideshare id=16202153&doc=copagesnpv3-130127084116-phpapp02] Note from Beth: We are seeing more and more nonprofits use LinkedIn for organizational goals - from its powerful board recruitment tool to setting up company pages (see Ten Must Follow Nonprofits on LinkedIn).   If your nonprofit decides to set up a presence on LinkedIn,  check out how some of the early adopters are engaging with followers and the content they are sharing to help you get some ideas for you plan.    In addition, … [Read more...]

I'm facilitating a Peer Learning Program for the Knight Foundation with community foundations that are hosting Giving Days using the Knight Foundation's Giving Day Playbook.  We were discussing marketing plans for earned, paid, online, and social media - and looking at good examples of social content.       The Community Foundation of Palm and Martin Counties had this great example of a "behind the scenes" photograph of a photo shoot for their annual report.    It represents the convergence of … [Read more...]