Managing Your Data

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Managing your data is a full-time job. Frankly, it’s probably several full-time jobs. No matter which database you have chosen, it is only as good as the information you put into it. We in the non-profit sector are driven by data, whether we realize it or not. Who are our donors, how much have they given, where did they give, what events do they attend, how do they respond to us…and so on. Some organizations have entire departments devoted to data, while for others it’s a one-person show. Whether you are a big shop or a small shop, effectively managing your data actually makes your job much easier. Clean data enables a colorful range of reporting functionality, allows you to quickly and easily find and pull out what you need, and helps to identify trends. By following clear procedures, creating and utilizing consistent coding, and performing regular data health checks you can meet all your organization’s data needs with confidence. The integrity of your data will have a direct impact on the work your team does, and by extension on your donor community.

Making the most of your database is a project worth pursuing. If you could make a wish-list of all the things you would like to be able to do with your data, how many on that list are you currently getting? Would you believe me if I told you that you could have them all? The sheer amount of data available to us today is staggering, which makes it more crucial than ever to have a strong system in place to house and manage all of it. Data can help you better serve your donors, your employees, your leaders, and your community, but harnessing the power of data isn’t always a priority. In many cases this is simply because an organization may lack the resources or the knowledge to do so. It’s easy to get stuck trying to make sense of the data and the myriad tools available to organize that data. The many, many choices for data management devices and how to use them is both a positive and a negative, and navigating these options is an ongoing process. If you can put in the hard work to set up a system for use and enable the regular management of it you will ultimately save yourself time and raise more dollars for your efforts.

Don’t believe me? Check out the data! A report from Nonprofit Hub shares the results of a survey they conducted with 467 nonprofit professionals. 90% of participants said their organization tracked data, but 48% said they weren’t sure of all the ways that data was being tracked, and only 5% use the tracked data in their decision making. Just 6% of individuals felt they were effectively using the available data at their disposal while a whopping 97% expressed interest in learning how to use their data more effectively. So why is this, and where is that gap coming from? The study indicated that there could be several reasons for it. 79% of respondents felt they do not have enough time or personnel to focus on data. 55% felt that their employees don’t have enough experience using data. 46% indicated that their data isn’t being kept in one place. 42% replied that they lacked the tools to help analyze the data. 36% felt that their organizations aren’t collecting enough data. A mere 3% overall indicated that they had received extensive training on their software. If these challenges sound familiar, you are most certainly not alone. In a climate where buzzwords like ‘data analytics’ are taking industries by storm, don’t you want to be able to put your data to good use?

Whether it’s choosing the right database tool, establishing how it will be used, implementation, training, or managing day-to-day needs, Empreinte can be a partner and resource. Helping you be more efficient and working toward realizing your goals begins with building a strong base. Without good data and healthy data practices that base lacks the strength to support other efforts. Investing in your internal operations is the first step towards sustaining organization-wide growth and success. Having a database specialist working with you every step of the way you can kickstart your data management program and leverage it to do the hard work for you.

Prospect Management

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During my decade-long tenure in Prospect Management perhaps one of the most frequent requests that I hear from Development staff is the cry for “more prospects”. All the prospects in the world will do no good if there is no system in place to organize, monitor, and track the work being done with them. So how do you begin to implement, never mind digest, the wealth of information at your disposal and turn it into an adaptable Prospect Management program to support your fundraising?

In the technology-driven world we live in Prospect Management, Research, and Data Analytics go hand in hand to deliver on this request and ensure there is a never-ending supply of prospects to meet the equally never-ending demand. Despite the alluring temptation of the “new” prospect, in almost every scenario your organization will more than likely find its best pool of prospects already in your database. A combination of the right coding, an efficient process, and some evaluation of your donor pool can help to not only identify prospects you may not have realized were there, but to more effectively manage and maximize prospects already on your radar. This work ultimately helps create a strategy to move them toward that first major gift.

What is Prospect Management?
At its core, Prospect Management is simply a process. This process encompasses a set of tools to help push constituents through a moves management timeline, from the identification of the potential prospect and beginning of their relationship with you through the stewardship of their gift. It’s a life cycle, of sorts, and as with anything that is cyclical it should continuously renew and see the donor move back through the process toward making their next gift. Moving a constituent through this cycle helps to strengthen their relationship with you, ignite their passion for your mission, and at its best can net you a devoted donor and advocate for life. Each step of this process is supported by a variety of vehicles. Every gift officer should manage a specific portfolio in order to take responsibility for a group of constituents and effectively track the work being done with this group. Action or contact reports should be documented throughout the process to record relationships and monitor frequency of contact. Proposals are entered to track intended ask amounts, take steps toward goals, and record responses (good and bad) to an ask. Metrics and reporting are developed to set attainable goals and help everyone stay on track. Each of these components work together toward building and maintaining a robust pipeline for your organization that not only serves the immediate need for fundraising but creates a sustainable group of committed donors.

Creating YOUR Process
Getting started with creating and managing a process for your organization can feel like a massive undertaking. While prospect management is something every organization needs, very few have the resources to house their own on-site team dedicated to this function. This is where outsourcing a third-party expert to work closely with you can be a great asset. Bringing in someone with a demonstrated history of success in this arena will set you up for positive long-term performance without redirecting or overloading your existing staff. This individual can assist with making best practice recommendations, defining terms, establishing goals and timelines, setting clear expectations, and training your team to be successful after implementation. Analyzing your existing data and helping to build processes that will work for you is an important part of a comprehensive fundraising strategy. Prospect Management is a pivotal tool that can help to not only track and report on your work but to ensure a healthy prospect pipeline and donor pool. This work is the foundation for any thriving, profitable, fundraising initiative and I would encourage you to invest in developing a strong program for your non-profit.

 

Write by Lauren Apt

The Call to Transformational Philanthropy

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On December 24, 2010 Haiti suffered from a massively destructive earthquake. In the days that followed, newsfeeds across the globe shared heart-wrenching images of an aftermath which left an island of rubble, 220,000 people dead and 1,500,000 displaced. Over a few short months, more than $13 billion from charities and nations around the world poured into the country. Immediate needs were met, but much of the good will was lost to waste and greed. As a result, Haiti has yet to recover.

According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, more than 50% of all disaster support is directed to response and relief. Compare this with the just 12% of disaster giving that is earmarked for reconstruction and recovery. Response and relief support is emotional, spontaneous, and in many regards valuable; however we know this giving does not effectively align with the financial realities faced by a community in times of disaster. Perhaps a different type of philanthropic response would have changed the course for Haiti.

As we inch into the post-COVID reality, what lessons can be learned from historical disaster-giving trends? While a thorough analysis of charitable giving in 2020 has yet to emerge, experts in our field will not be surprised to see that the disaster-giving trend remains true. We know, for example, that over the year, across the country, contributions to food banks skyrocketed while nonprofits that support cancer research, prevention, and advocacy were unable to meet budgetary needs. Meanwhile, foundations, in an attempt to be more responsive during the crisis, broadened support – often drifting outside of core mission elements – and relaxed typical grant reporting and oversight requirements.

Band-aid relief and checkbook giving have their place, but fail to solve the community’s more significant problems. Furthermore, it has come at the expense of valuable mission-driven organizations with focuses on education, the arts, and COVID-sidelined medical research. Now, the role of the strategic transformational giver is particularly valuable as personal philanthropic missions are put to task.

 

TRANSACTIONAL
GIVING…

reacts. It’s quick, easy, and spontaneous! Most commonly, transactional giving is an asset in times of crisis.

addresses needs. Often, the purpose of the gift is simple and clear.

responds to an organization. The grant is gifted to philanthropist’s friends, in response to the well written appeal, or the charming Executive Director.

is low impact. The transactional philanthropist requires little in return for their gift. With no expectations, the impact is less.

is modest. Often transactional gifts are comfortable and safe amounts that result in feel good acknowledgment.

helps. The transactional philanthropist feels good helping others.

IS EASY.

TRANSFORMATIONAL
GIVING…

is proactive. It’s planned and thoughtful. Transformational giving requires an assessment of a more significant problem. It takes time and requires support.

solves problems. Solving problems requires analysis and understanding.

gives to an issue and an idea. Giving in this realm seeks cooperation in problem solving. The transformational giver wants to ensure that entities collaborate to solve problems.

is high impact. The transformational philanthropist desires for their gift to be a change agent. This impact requires relationship building.

is substantial. Solving problems is an investment of time and money. The philanthropist may step outside of their comfort zone.

changes lives! The transformational philanthropist often feels an authentic transformation in their self-worth. It’s an investment in their legacy.

REQUIRES SUPPORT.

 

As we transition out of pandemic mode and hit the reset button, we hope that foundations and individuals, like you, with the capacity to give, will reflect on how they can make a lasting impact. Philanthropy is a vital investment tool that changes lives and shapes our community. When done well, it is transformative for donors as they engage in creating meaningful change.

At Empreinte Consulting, helping those who help others is our business, and we are ready to help YOU! Our team of Philanthropic Advisors has supported numerous philanthropists in their decision-making and helped maximize the impact of transformational giving. At a time when generosity and philanthropy are needed more than ever, we can ensure that your mission and vision are fulfilled in a way that genuinely advances the missions you care most about.

What’s your mission? Are ready to invest in your legacy? Are you looking for the recipient of your next bold transformational gift? Your investment in our community may provide one of the most rewarding returns of your life.

How Nonprofits & Philanthropists Can Adapt During COVID-19

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This is a unique time in our history as we are all adapting to a new way of living with COVID-19 in our communities.  Nonprofit organizations are living in a world of uncertainty as they must cancel events and limit their interactions with donors. Philanthropic revenue is such a critical part of every nonprofit’s operational budget and there is no question that this virus will put a financial strain on several nonprofits. During this temporary shift in activity, the organizations that plan and strategize will prove to be the most effective moving forward. Ask yourself, will you be prepared to fundraise effectively once this is behind us?

It is easy to panic during these uncertain times and question what steps to take as an organization. However, this may present the perfect opportunity to assess your operations, develop a thoughtful strategic plan and create a clear message of need that will resonate with your donors. Looking inward during this time will allow you to engage your donors in a meaningful way in the future. Nonprofits that are organized, well run and impactful when using philanthropic dollars will continue to be the most appealing to donors and have the greatest impact on our community.

When we council our philanthropic clients, the first thing that we assess is the organizational efficiency of the nonprofits they are looking to support. What is your cost to raise a dollar? How well are you able to clearly articulate the need for philanthropic support and the impact it will have on your mission? Are your nonprofit leaders strategic, thoughtful and mission driven? These are critical questions that will determine whether a donor makes a gift to your nonprofit or chooses another organization. This is especially true for major and principal gift donors.

As an altruistic philanthropist looking to help a mission that is important to you and your family, how do you decide where to allocate your limited budget? This is a critically important question that may not always be easy to answer without proper guidance.

The consultants at Empreinte Consulting bring more than 100 years of collective fundraising experience and are positioned to partner with you during this difficult time. Whether you are a nonprofit looking to develop your strategy and determine how to engage donors, or the philanthropist and corporate leader looking to impact your community, we are here to help. Taking the time now to develop a plan will make all the difference in the world and ensure the greatest impact on our community.

#helpingthosewhohelpothers

 Marc Misiurewicz

President

Empreinte Consulting, LLC

The value of a Philanthropic Advisor

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As an altruistic philanthropist, you look to have the greatest impact possible on the missions you care about most. Giving of yourself is one of the most important and intimate things you will do in life. When making the decision to give of yourself to advance important missions, you often consult your lawyer, accountant, and/or investment advisor. For many of you—especially those of you with complex business needs—each advisor plays an important role on your professional “team”. They help ensure that you are making the best decision based on your personal situation. However, there is one additional subject matter expert that would help you tremendously…

A Philanthropic Advisor has skills that complement those of the other professionals who provide you advice on legal, tax, and financial matters. We have worked in nonprofit organizations and understand the power of philanthropy in a way that many will never know. If you are already giving to charity or considering a gift at some point in the future, connecting with a Philanthropic Advisor at Empreinte Consulting, LLC can help you create a thoughtful and personal giving plan to make a meaningful difference on the causes you care about most. When making a decision this important, why wouldn’t you want an expert guide in the process?

Here are six reasons to team up with a Philanthropic Advisor from Empreinte:

1. We know the options. Charitable giving can be a complex field. There are so many ways in which you can have an impact. Which way is the best for you? The Philanthropic Advisors at Empreinte Consulting are well-versed in the various giving vehicles and strategies that you may want to consider. Should you establish a family foundation or a Donor Advised Fund (or both)? A Charitable Remainder Trust or a Charitable Lead Trust? Our Philanthropic Advisors can help you evaluate these options and make smart, informed decisions.

2. We know the causes. In contrast to many financial service firms that offer Donor Advised Funds, Empreinte Consulting is staffed with experts who can provide you with information about the issues and organizations you are interested in supporting. Our experience working for nonprofits large and small provides us with a perspective that can be extremely valuable in your decision making. We will help you develop a philanthropic mission statement and guidelines for your philanthropic decisions. Whether you are passionate about education, healthcare or environmental conservation, our Philanthropic Advisors can help you vet nonprofits and make thoughtful choices about your giving to ensure the greatest impact.

3. We know the community. Our Philanthropic Advisors are connected to the local nonprofit sector. Through one-on-one meetings, donor events, and site visits to nonprofits, we can help you connect with local organizations that are doing innovative work, as well as like-minded donors and community leaders that align with your values. In addition to forging useful social connections, you may also discover opportunities to join more structured networks, such as funder collaboratives that team up to address specific community needs.

4. We are highly skilled goal-setters. Many philanthropists say that writing checks is easy. Does that sound like you? What is harder, they say, is crafting a giving plan that reflects their dreams for achieving positive change in the community. Our Philanthropic Advisors are experienced at helping people articulate their personal values and how those values influence their philanthropic goals. We can help you create a values statement for your giving, set a budget, and choose strategies that are both impactful and personally satisfying.

5. We help families give together. “Giving back” often means more than one donation, one day spent volunteering, or one decision to open a charitable fund. For many people, it’s a journey with many phases that they travel with relatives and loved ones. Empreinte Consulting is highly skilled at facilitating the conversations, which at times may be difficult, that help families come together to reflect, learn, and make decisions as collective philanthropists. This process also helps develop a philanthropic succession plan that ensures your legacy lives on.

6. We help maintain philanthropy as a priority. Between jobs, kids, volunteer obligations, and more, many people find that organizing their charitable contributions is an arduous task. We give you back your time and sanity. Our Philanthropic Advisors can help, making it easy for you to focus on the things you care about most while knowing your philanthropic plan is executed.

Philanthropy is one of the most important investment tools that we have at our disposal. Not only does it transform your life, but it forever changes the lives of others. Don’t feel as though you need to go on this journey alone. Empreinte Consulting is positioned well to guide you through the philanthropic process and provide our expertise to ensure you are fulfilling all your goals. Your investment in us will provide one of the most rewarding returns of your life. We would be honored to speak with you further to discuss ways in which we can partner to enhance our communities.

#helpingthosewhohelpothers

 

Empreinte Consulting, LLC​
585-233-6341
​[email protected]

Call:  585-551-1234

Email: [email protected]

New York Location:
Empreinte Consulting, LLC
1 Grove Street, Suite 217
Pittsford, NY 14534
585-551-1234

Florida Location:
365 Fifth Avenue Executive Suites
Naples, FL  34102
239-330-2591