Nonprofit tech leader Jay B. Love outlines 7 nonprofit trends and lessons to embrace in 2021
Bloomerang co-founder encourages nonprofits to embrace out-of-the-box thinking to prepare for the coming year
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With 2021 quickly approaching, there’s little doubt that nonprofits will continue to navigate the challenges caused by the unprecedented combination of a pandemic, social unrest, food insecurity and high unemployment rates. Yet, the year can represent a period of significant and, in some cases, much needed growth for small- to medium-sized nonprofits, according to Jay B. Love, Bloomerang’s Chief Relationship Officer and co-founder.
In sharing his insights on the best path forward in 2021, Love highlighted ways for nonprofits to better engage with corporate partners, supporters and volunteers, and explore more effective and cost-efficient ways to leverage technology. He also predicted that nonprofits will increasingly use artificial intelligence to develop meaningful relationships with supporters, and that two-factor authentication to enhance data security will become commonplace.
Here are Love’s insights:
1. Lean into the virtual lessons taught by COVID-19. “2021 is a time for thinking outside the box, as the old saying goes,” Love said. “We can still fulfill our mission without doing things the old-fashioned way.”
While the shift to a virtual work setting may have been initially painful for some nonprofits, the benefits of doing so can be long lasting, according to Love. “Every nonprofit has had to learn how to embrace technology in a greater fashion because of the need for so many of them to work from home,” Love said. “It caused a lot of systems to be revolutionized.”
As a result of the increasing reliance on web applications, nonprofits are now able to realize some of the advantages they bring, including streamlined processes, and more frequent touchpoints with supporters, volunteers and the community.
Now that a significant portion of the population has become accustomed to functioning in a virtual world, Love said, there will be an increasing acceptance of virtual connections. “I don’t think business travel is ever coming back,” he said. “People have realized that you can do business remotely and easily talk to people this way. For a lot of nonprofits, 50 percent or more of their workforce will continue to work from home. It’s not just the future. We all have lived with this pandemic and realized it works very, very well.”
For nonprofits, virtual connections can represent a bonus. It allows them to broaden their reach, as well as hire talent anywhere in the country. “You can live in Florida and work for a nonprofit in Indianapolis and do it very, very well.”
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Donate Safely This #GivingTuesday
Best Practices for Charities and Individual Donors
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By Cody Lents, Partner and Change Manager at COVI, Inc.
Since it was first founded in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become known as a charitable movement built around a simple idea: Set aside a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, #Giving Tuesday has transformed into a global day of unity that has inspired hundreds of millions of individuals to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity in their communities.
#GivingTuesday’s data reported $1.97 million was raised for reputable charities around the globe in 2019. But could the number have been even higher? A few months prior, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) kicked off “ International Charity Fraud Awareness Week,” a coordinated effort to help charities and donors avoid a growing number of scam groups masquerading as charitable organizations. Using tax deduction as bait, fake charities have often lured unsuspecting victims into making ineligible donations.
With the next #GivingTuesday quickly approaching on Dec. 1, 2020, what can you do to ensure your donation ends up in the right hands this holiday season? And, as a charity, how can you ensure prospective donors feel comfortable about allocating funds to your cause?
Best Practices for Individual Donors
1. Give to established, trusted organizations.
The easiest way to immediately confirm the legitimacy of a charitable organization is through the IRS’ “ Tax Exempt Organization Search”, which allows donors to search for qualified charities in which donations may be tax-deductible. Legitimate charities will provide their Employee Identification Number (EIN) upon request.
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Coburn Place has hired Dena Simpson as its first housing service coordinator. Simpson previously served as state director of Fresh Start Recovery Centers, Indiana, for Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana. |
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Coburn Place has added Sudha Sankar to its team. Sankar, who will serve as a consultant, is responsible for the strategic design, planning, organization and product generation for the newly formed Impact and Innovation Division. |
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Conexus Indiana has hired Laura Miller as vice president of communications. Miller has 35 years of experience and previously owned and operated an independent communications agency.—Inside Indiana Business
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The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites has added Marc Allan as director of communications. Allan most recently worked in marketing and communications and served as an adjunct professor at Butler University.—Inside Indiana Business
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United Way of Central Indiana is inviting 501(c)3 community-based organizations that meet current eligibility requirements to apply for United Way accreditation through Dec. 3, 2020. The open call is for organizations serving specific areas of service in the zip codes of 46218, 46201, 46222, 46226 or 46208. Read
Prosperity Indiana is accepting nominations for its achievement awards. Nominate a leader for the categories of industry veteran, staff member of the year, rural development leader and innovative program by Nov. 13. Nominate
Families First is offering a free virtual workshop on how to protect your own mental health when dealing with a crisis, and how to recognize the signs and symptoms in others who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Register
Donation: Canon ImageClass D320 personal digital printer/ copier and (2) two-drawer filing cabinets in tulip colors to enliven the office. Must pick up on north side of Indy. The printer weigh about 30 pounds. To claim, contact Jane [email protected] or 317-506-1105
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is waiving its $500 application fee for its annual membership and accreditation for faith-based organizations and ministries. The waiver is offered through Nov. 16. Apply
Center of Wellness for Urban Women is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Food Champions that awards $2,000 to provide food access and resolve food insecurity issues in neighborhoods. Applications are due by Nov. 30. Apply
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Ten quick tips to super charge your next fundraising appeal webinar on Nov. 12 at 11:00 a.m. The tips focus on how to write content that spurs action, including giving prospects incentives to open the appeal. Hosted by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: free. Register
Frame the problem webinar on Nov. 12 from 10:00-noon. Before using data to inform decisions, identify the goals your organization is trying to accomplish and determine how data can help. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: free. Register
Find existing data webinar on Nov. 12 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. The session will cover the strengths, weaknesses, and costs of readily available data sets. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: free. Register
Succession planning isn’t just for retirement anymore webinar on Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Whether you are a nonprofit ED/CEO beginning to think about your retirement timeline or a board or staff leader who wants to ensure a successful transition, this webinar can assist in your planning. Limited to 10 participants. Two individuals per organization recommended. Presented by Charitable Advisors. Cost: free. Register
Breaking the cycle: Ending youth homelessness webinar on Nov. 19 at noon. Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) will highlight the successes of the past year around homelessness. Cost: free. Register
Leadership Johnson County virtual lunch on Nov. 23 from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Former Paralympic Games swimmer, Dalton Herendeen, will spend an hour sharing his inspiring story of overcoming obstacles with a positive attitude. Cost: $10. Register
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The International Center is looking for volunteers to host a hospitality dinner for international visitors in their homes. The center also encourages volunteers to act as a professional resource and/or guide for visitors to the greater Indianapolis area. Apply
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While effective board members understand and meet their basic responsibilities, truly exceptional board members do more. This resource outlines six characteristics of great board members.
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Learn how to read your donor’s mind and understand what is wrong with your current approach.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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