First of all, just letting y'all know that I am moving the cadence of my newsletters to bi-weekly, given that people's in-boxes are getting increasingly full (as is mine) and I am getting increasingly busy...which is not a complaint, just a fact!
Monthly newsletters felt too infrequent given all that is happening in the philanthropic world, so bi-weekly is a compromise.
Thank you for your support over the past six months with what I have produced in this newsletter! I am so pleased that you, loyal reader, feel the content is relevant and that you are encouraging others to read it is well. (Suggested guest spots are always welcome, so please let me know if you feel I should featuring someone special here.)
Additionally, I am now almost eleven months into my independent philanthropy consulting practice, and I thought I would take a moment to look back and comment on what I have observed so far with the three keys audiences I am marketing to:
Nonprofits are my biggest customer/target audience so far, by far. It doesn't matter if they have no fundraising program, one that is limping along, or one that is thriving---but needs a boost or a refreshed perspective. It doesn't matter if they are micro, small, medium, large, or mega. Most seem to need help with strategic planning (mission, vision, BHAG, SWOT) as well as gift acceptance policy work (and gift acceptance protocol), and their donation websites very seldomly show much beyond cash donation opportunities. Campaign planning and general education, including one PowerPoint regarding "Moves Management," are popular.
Donor referrals are slower, but when they come, donor interests are: 1) how can they make the most impact with their charitable dollars in a crowded marketplace of 1.8 million nonprofits to choose from; 2) which assets should they use to make their donation, including real estate, or stock, or other types of non-cash assets; 3) which vehicle should they choose---a donor-advised fund, a private foundation, a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, or some other vehicle?, and 4) should they be anonymous with their giving, and if so, how?
Regarding professional advisors such as CPAs, wealth advisors, trusts & estates attorneys, and family wealth offices, they seem to fit into four categories: 1) they bring up the philanthropic conversation as often as possible; 2) they bring up the conversation only once-in-a-while; 3) they bring up the conversation only when the client does, or 4) they never talk about it. I have given lots of presentations over the past year and I try to offer a survey each time that solicits one of these four answers, and it seems to weight heavily to the second and third responses. So, I try to help them with courses like this Richard Peck | myCPE Expert Instructor (my-cpe.com), as well as new courses I devise at least monthly---with training on a sample intake form, and more offerings on the horizon---in response to what I am seeing and hearing (or NOT seeing and hearing in this space).
Anyway, please let me know by sending an e-mail through clicking right here thephilanthropyguy@gmail.com and offering what you feel is MISSING in this newsletter---or what you want to see more of. I am to please!
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