Center for Association Resources

The Center for Association Resources supports mission-oriented organizations, assisting them in increasing relevance and accomplishing goals.

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Fundraising ideas for non-profits

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

Nonprofit organizations need funds to survive.  The fantastic news is that there is a vast array of ways to generate these much-needed funds.

One method of collecting funds for a nonprofit group is to create a well-designed website, with a “donate” section, for the organization.  This is a terrific way to receive donations as people can go to the website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, And donations can be collected from people all over the world.  A shopping cart can be placed on the website; and products related to the organization’s cause can be sold on the website, as well.

Selling ad-space on the organization’s website is a fantastic idea that can bring in a lot of money.  Small businesses are always looking for places that are inexpensive to advertise their products or services.  Setting rates that small businesses can handle will attract many business owners, and add to the group’s bank account.

Another terrific idea is appealing for donations through social networks.  Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Linkedin are popular sites for generating donations and have been highly successful in creating funds for nonprofits.

Spare change can add up.  Placing a few collection jars in local grocery stores or other businesses can add up to a lot of money in a short time.  Giving their spare change away is easy for people. It can be surprising that giving just a little bit of change can add up to so much money.

Corporate sponsorship is another option.  This is when a large company gives money to a nonprofit cause.  They do this as a form of advertisement so that they will then be associated with the cause. The corporation benefits because they generate publicity for themselves, and the public sees them as generous.  They can also receive tax deductions for their donations.

Another source of support that nonprofit organizations can appeal to is grants.  Many public and private foundations offer grants to nonprofits to help with their causes. When applying for these grants, it is a smart idea to have an experienced grant writer write out the request and approach the foundation.

Fund raising events, such as walk-a-thons, car washes, bake sales, yard sales, craft sales, carnivals and auctions can be a fun way of making money for the group.  Another great way to earn money for your group is to sell products offered by companies specifically for fund raising.  These products include candy bars, candles, magazines, cookie dough, doughnuts, coupon books and popcorn.

When appealing for donations, one should keep in mind that donations of such things as equipment, office supplies and services can be just as valuable as money.  Often, a person may not have money to give, but they may be able to donate their time or services or a piece of furniture that the organization needs.

In conclusion, nonprofits need help to keep their organizations running.  There are many ways to obtain this help, and it is a win-win situation for all those involved.  Donors receive valuable tax deductions for their donations and the feeling of having given to their community, and the nonprofits can continue their work.

What is the Center for Association Resources?

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

The Center is an Association Management firm in Schaumburg, Illinois, with Robert Patterson as the Chief Executive Officer. We provide management, consulting, and advisory services to primarily non-profit organizations and associations that need the expertise and management services we provide.

Our experience spans areas ranging from volunteer recruitment to assembling a productive and engaged board of directors, to developing association policies against substance abuse, drinking, and harassment. Your non-profit organization benefits from over 50 years of combined experience. We can provide numerous positive references and testimony from associations we presently benefit.

Use search engines to increase association recognition

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

At The Center for Association Resources has published many articles about how to improve your association’s results using an effective online presence. These include
Non-profit organizations and associations benefit from community support, name recognition, and online presence. Search engines, such as Google and Yahoo, can provide traffic and accessibility to clients and those seeking to learn or donate to the association. Even a small center, organization, or association should have a website containing at least basic information about your services, and preferably a more interactive and engaging experience that raises interest and awareness of your association and its central objectives.

Providing useful content, in an accessible form, is critical to reaching the widest audience. Google is able to catalog text pages very well. Unfortunately, many sites have begun using Flash and other media to present information. This also makes life difficult for people with blindness or other disabilities that make using a graphical system difficult. If you’re going to have a  graphics version of your site, also make a text alternative available. This will increase your audience, and show that you care about those you serve and those who contribute to the success of your organization.

Being on guard for fraud in non-profits

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

Non-profit organizations have a special need to prevent and detect fraud. While for profit organizations also must watch for fraud, the non-profit sector has some unique considerations.  To keep donations flowing, the need to maintain the public’s trust and protect the organization’s reputation is paramount.

Fraudulent acts which impact an organization can occur either outside or inside the organization. Some estimates put the total percentage of fraud for the non-profit sector as high as 13% of annual donations. While fraud is more often committed by lower level employees, the higher the employees’ position in the organization, the larger the total fraud losses tend to be.  CEOs commit the lowest percentage of fraudulent acts, but their fraud tends to involve larger monetary amounts.

Common types of internal fraud involve cash theft and erroneous expense reports. Physical assets can also be stolen from the organization. Frequent periodic audit of asset inventories can prevent and detect this type of fraud. Outright theft of cash donations needs to be prevented.  Controls such as having two people observe and count cash donations, segregation of duties for the receiving and accounting for donations and other routine cash controls can be beneficial in reducing the risk of cash theft.

Expense reports are also often a conduit for fraud. A system for verifying expense reports should be implemented and expense reports and receipts should be examined prior to payment. Externally, fraud by vendors, either with collusion from an employee, or committed totally by the vendor is also a concern. Some scenarios include a manager authorizing payment for goods never received or authorizing payment to a nonexistent company where the funds are ultimately received by the authorizing employee.  Segregation of duties for payment and purchasing, effective computerized payment system controls, and dual signature requirements for checks can reduce risk of this type of fraud. Periodic checks of vendor records to ensure that vendors actually exist are also a deterrent.

Top management at non-profits can set the tone for fraud prevention by establishing effective internal control policies. One of these controls that may seem surprising is mandating employees take vacation time accrued. Fraud is more difficult to cover up when the employee committing it is absent. The average amount of time a fraudulent activity occurs prior to catching it is 18 months. Occasionally these schemes have gone on for years without being identified. Sometimes fraud is identified by audits or internal controls. Sadly, fraud is often not caught until an organization fails due to the impact from fraud. Even if an organization is financially able to weather an episode of fraud, the loss of good reputation can often hamper the organization’s future fundraising efforts.

The potential negative effects of fraud on the non-profit organization compel everyone in a non-profit to be aware of the need for fraud prevention. The success and reputation of the organization depends on it.

Bridging the long-distance learning divide

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

In order for any student to understand the complexity of long-distance learning, that student needs to know four key points to maintain their education in an environment that is outside the classroom.  The first key to a long distance learning situation is to maintain an open level of communication without a divide. The second key concept is that of clear and concise instructions for papers, essays and projects.  The third point for bridging the long-distance learning divide is to provide students with multiple levels of instructing, from kinesthetic to visual and auditory.  Finally, the fourth key element in the long distance learning divide is to be attentive to anyone falling behind and get in contact.  If a student is slowly falling into the back of the class but had started out great, then it is time for professor intervention.

The first concept to grasp in long-distance learning is open communication.  This means all things that could be said in the classroom must be translated into the e-mail, chat or lecture notes that a student can understand.  The student must also communicate their needs and a teacher knows this.  By maintaining that expectation for a student to have, the teacher is free to instruct how he or she sees fit without complication.  The first essential for long distance learning is communication.

The second tool for long distance learning is to make sure that one’s instruction is simple, clear and precise without room for error.  If a student fails at step one, They must be self-reliant to do step two.  An instructor has the responsibility to one’s classroom of long-distance students to make sure instruction is deliberate to the class’ needs.

The third essential tool needs to include levels of instruction that everyone can learn from.  Not everyone can take notes and learn that way; the classroom must have video and auditory components.  Perhaps the teacher can lecture over the internet, through video and provide a transcript of the lecture so students can all learn.

The fourth tool is to maintain contact.  The teacher must be available to the students to chat on an instant message program, be constantly checking email for student questions and open to new forms of technology they can utilize and they can teach to their students.

Following these four key instructions allows for a teacher to learn the most important tools for a classroom that is taught through distance rather than in person. And it keeps the human element in place for the future of the distance learning program.

Marketing for sponsors and exhibitors

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

For a non-profit organization that doesn’t get too much money via donations, sponsors and exhibitors can be your most important key to success. With the huge advance in technology in the past couple years, the tools and strategies of marketing have changed drastically. For example, if you would have brought up the idea of advertising on Facebook ten years ago, people would have thought you were crazy. Now Facebook is a great way to advertise. One reason it is great is because hundreds of millions of people log in to Facebook every day. If you are reaching an advertising audience of that many people, chances are at least a couple hundred people would be interested in your non-profit organization. This leads to sponsors and/or donators. It is extremely simple and cheap to create an advertisement on Facebook. I know from experience that an advertisement on Facebook can be created in a little less than 5 minutes. It also does not cost too much money. You can even specify who your audience is based on hobbies, age, location, political views, etc. The possibilities are endless.

After talking about the new ways to market, I am going to talk a little bit about the old-fashioned type of ways to do it. As always, the best way to reach people is to talk face to face. I have found from experience with my non-profit organization that going to political events is a great way to meet people face-to-face, but you have to make sure you show up with a political party that matches your views. For example, if you are a pro-life (anti-abortion) group, you should NOT show up at a Democratic event. You SHOULD show up to conferences like CPAC, or to your local congressman’s town halls, fundraiser, etc. (if he is a Republican), but obviously, the same thing works for a pro-choice group except with a Democratic party. Going to these events allow you to meet people who share your point of view, and some of your best sponsors can come from these type of events. Plus, it is always a good thing to get to know you Congressman for many reasons (no matter what political party).

In the end, it is up to you. Some of the best methods of marketing for sponsors come from the least used or new methods that you can come up with. So think, if you were a possible sponsor, what would attract you to a non-profit organization?