Unicorns, cupcakes and reality

We asked Kentucky to give and they did!  Charities, the media, sponsors and Kentuckians (and beyond) came together to show our nonprofit community and those they serve some love on April 24.  KY Gives Day raised $330,200 from 3370 unique donors for 304 of the participating charities in just 24 hours.  More than just dollars and donors, KY Gives Day raised awareness of the work of nonprofits and allowed participating charities an opportunity to tell their story.   We heard from more than one donor that learning about the participating charities, giving and encouraging others to give was an “addiction.”  Of course it was – giving feels good!  Check out the press release for more information and check the KY Gives Day site  to see how charities finished in competing for prizes.

I wrapped up my first KY Gives Day experience completely overwhelmed with gratitude for the support we received to make KY Gives Day a reality.  I also woke up from my KY Gives Day hangover bliss with a not so pleasant reminder from our survey responses that we’ve got some work to do.  While I’d hoped for this blog post to be nothing but love, happiness, unicorns and cupcakes – the truth is, I’m a little frustrated and here’s why:

If we as nonprofit leaders cannot or will not understand the investment of time, money, resources and strategy required to generate needed funds for our missions – will we ever be able to help the public understand and really support the work of the nonprofit community?  If we as nonprofit leaders (staff, board members, etc.) don’t understand that money doesn’t just fall from the sky, programs don’t just run themselves and lives aren’t just “changed” – can donors or prospective donors truly understand and advocate for those we serve?  Paying staff to do the work – create & implement programs, serve people, pay the bills, clean the place up, coordinate efforts to raise money, handle communications, etc. all require resources – even if you are trying to pull it off with volunteers, some money is essential.  And furthermore, if the organization is continuing to scrape by on a shoestring, how effective are you – really?  I realize not everyone reading this blog feels this way about our work in the nonprofit community  — many of us do get it.  But the problem is those who don’t get it – their lack of understanding that it costs money to run a nonprofit organization (especially an effective nonprofit organization) hurts all nonprofits, including those we serve.  Bottom line:  until we stop undervaluing ourselves, we will continue to be undervalued.  Until we stop pretending that the real work of our mission can be done on a shoestring, it will be expected that we  pay our staff less than a fair wage, operate in facilities that are crumbling around us, belabor the type of paper we use for our brochure because it might look “too nice” and more.  The nonprofit sector, you and me, have important work to do and it requires resources to do it.  We cannot let a few bad apples who have abused their positions and the investments of their donors push the rest of us to the other end of the spectrum – trying to operate with little to no “overhead.”  We also can’t let the belief of some of our nonprofit peers, that charity means poverty, keep our nonprofit sector from doing our best work.  For the sake of our communities and our ability to continue to improve the quality of life in this Commonwealth – we’ve got to help bring them along.

So, there’s a small but important little cloud hanging over my KY Gives Day rainbow.  It doesn’t dampen my gratitude, my excitement for what was accomplished on April 24, my optimism for success with KY Gives Day 2014 and most importantly, the opportunity it provides to transform the work of our nonprofit community.  It just means we’ve all got some work to do – in some cases to shift our own attitudes as nonprofit leaders and in other cases, to help shift the attitudes of the colleagues working with us to  strengthen our communities.

Please check out a few articles related to this topic below and let me hear from you.  I suspect I’ve ruffled a few feathers, and while we may not agree, this discussion is an important one.

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

Ticker Anxiety, But It’s All Good

In only 26 days, Kentuckians from border to border will come together online for just 24 hours to see how much money can be raised for the causes we care about.

At KNN, we’ve been preparing for this online giving bonanza for nearly a year.  As I watch the ticker clock on the Kentucky Gives Day site, I am both excited and anxious.  How much money can we raise?  Will we finalize all of the little details in time for the big day?  Have we thought of everything?  I have to remind myself – any amount of money we can come together and raise on April 24 is great for our communities.  And there will definitely be details that don’t get finalized and certainly some things we will miss all together.  But the bottom line is – Kentucky’s first statewide Gives Day is an opportunity for our Commonwealth to come together around  a common goal like never before.  The needs of our communities are great, and Kentucky Gives Day is an opportunity for every nonprofit and every Kentuckian to make a difference.  It’s big.  It’s special.  We’re making history.

Whether as a participating nonprofit or a donor to causes you care about – I hope you will join with KNN, our generous sponsors, charities and your fellow Kentuckians to demonstrate the power of philanthropy.  Mark your calendar for April 24 and we’ll see you online at www.kygives.org!

 

 

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

P.S.  Nonprofits have until April 3 to guarantee their participation in this free online fundraising event.

Your stories deserve to be heard

As nonprofits, we likely think we are great at telling our story and the stories of those we serve.  But let’s be honest,sometimes we struggle to find the right balance or message.  Too warm and fuzzy, too depressing, too many statistics, not enough facts.  It can be tough to find a sweet spot, especially when different audiences can respond differently to messages.

Two critical opportunities to tell your nonprofit’s story exist right now, and I hope you’ll take advantage of both.

The first is an opportunity to share the importance of charitable giving and the impact of state and federal budget cuts, including sequestration, on your organization’s ability to achieve your mission.  KNN’s Advocacy Council is collecting these important stories to share with state and federal officials.  The impact of these cuts has hit many nonprofits and their communities hard, and more pain is on the way unless things reverse course.  Legislators and public officials need to hear real stories from the front lines – they argue there’s been little outcry.  Please help us gather this important information.

A more fun, but still important, opportunity to tell your story is by participating in KY Gives Day.  This 24-hour online giving event will bring nonprofits and Kentuckians together for a powerful day of fundraising.  To receive gifts, your organization MUST be proactive or your charity won’t be listed on the KY Gives Day website.  Claiming administrative access to your page is a fantastic opportunity to tell your story.  To be guaranteed that your nonprofit is included and able to benefit, you want to claim administrative access to your page by April 3.  Check out an upcoming or recorded webinar to get started and take advantage of this opportunity for our nonprofit community to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours.  Think of it as a nonprofit holiday you won’t want to miss!

Your nonprofit’s story is your most valuable asset.  It can raise funds, increase awareness, connect people and inspire action.  Please join with us to take advantage of these important opportunities to share the amazing stories of our nonprofit community and the lives we impact each day.

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

Lessons from the Harlem Shake

Last week, I participated in a meme attempt - a local spin on the Harlem Shake, a song that spawned a series of dance videos that have been circulating the Internet (check out this example from UK).  Let’s be clear – before this, I’d never even heard of an Internet meme, and suddenly I was being asked to share my dancing skills with the world. I certainly know things can go viral online – for better or for worse – and I was a bit hesitant.  Let me explain.

For the past several years, KNN has partnered with Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives  to travel across Kentucky and present information about board roles and responsibilities with local Chamber board members.  It’s been a great opportunity because these community leaders also often serve on the boards of charitable nonprofits – so, it’s a partnership and educational opportunity that benefits many.

We kicked off our 2013 workshops in Murray and wrapped up our morning by creating our own version of the Harlem Shake.  While most of these business leaders resisted participating at first, by the time the camera was rolling, they’d fine-tuned their dance moves and embraced the silliness.

I share this story because this ridiculous exercise was worthwhile.  Sometimes I take myself too seriously, and cutting loose and acting silly with others was freeing, a stress reliever and good for the soul.  Whether it be through dance, an Internet meme or something else – I encourage you to give it a try in whatever forum you feel is safe.  And since, by definition, an Internet meme is intended to go viral, I will swallow my embarrassment and share our video with you.  Share your story (or video!) with us – how has your organization blown off a little steam?

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

What Will It Take?

On Tuesday, KNN hosted the 8th Annual KY Nonprofit Day at the Capitol.  One of our goals for the day was to build relationships with legislators so that we would not have to“ask a stranger for a favor.”  Much progress was made, but numerous officials and legislators pointed out – given the threats facing the nonprofit community, they expected a larger crowd.  Well, me too.

Over the years, we’ve speculated about lots of reasons that nonprofits may not engage in public policy work. One speculation is that a major ”issue” or “threat” or “crisis” is necessary to get busy nonprofit leaders involved.  Well, that day has come - the tax deduction for charitable giving is in real danger at both the state and federal level.  This morning, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is holding a hearing on tax reform and charitable contributions.  The Governor’s Tax Commission has recommended a cap on itemized deductions that includes the charitable giving tax deduction. So why are nonprofit leaders still relatively silent?

We had legislative officials tell us over and over again on Tuesday: if it matters to nonprofits, we need to hear from nonprofits.  What worries me is when I recently asked one of the largest nonprofits in Kentucky about their willingness to work with us and others on these issues, they responded:”We expect KNN to do it.” Well, KNN is going to try.  But KNN is bigger than our staff of three - KNN is also YOU!

Nonprofits are making progress in building relationships that we’ll need as we likely approach a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly, and there is growing recognition among legislators of the nonprofit community’s work and our economic impact.  But I’m worried.  What will it take to get our nonprofit leaders to really speak up and let our voices be heard?   I know I’ve said it before:  if not you – then who?  If not now – then when?

Please take the first step, right now, and join the Nonprofit Sector Advocacy Council - it’s free and it meets online.  And if you have ideas, we need to hear from you  – what can KNN do to help more nonprofit leaders act to protect our sector?

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

It’s Big News for Sure!

It’s been hard to keep quiet!  After months of preparation and research, we can finally share big news with you – the first-ever Kentucky Gives Day will be held in the Commonwealth on April 24!  This 24-hour, statewide, online giving event will allow Kentuckians and nonprofits to come together for a powerful day of action.   Every Kentuckian can go online, connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible gifts by simply clicking to donate.  Nonprofits can connect with new and existing donors online to efficiently raise funds for their mission.  The event will showcase the amazing work of our nonprofit community and raise as much money as possible in 24 hours.  Best of all, any 501c3 public charity incorporated in Kentucky can participate - for free!

I’m sure you have tons of questions – how will this work?  How and when will donations be distributed to the organizations?  Where can my organization sign up?  We’ve scheduled a few informational webinars to explain how Kentucky Gives Day will operate and how it can help your organization boost (or even launch) online fundraising and help acquire new donors.  Check one out ASAP so you can get started:

February 7, 10:30 am (members only)

February 7, 2:00pm

February 14, 10:30am

In the meantime, please help us spread the word and mark your calendars for 4/24/13 – we can’t wait to see just much money we can all raise to support our missions!

Danielle Clore

Executive Director

List of Lists

Happy New Year!  2013 is here for certain and there are lists everywhere – do’s and don’ts for the new year, lessons learned from the past year and even lists of lists we should be keeping for 2013.  Sometimes we keep them for the sense of accomplishment that comes with marking something off, and sometimes we keep them around simply for motivation.   I challenged Whitney, our communications coordinator, to share the best list of lists for nonprofits with you.

 

I have so many 2013 to-dos, I try not to think about them too often.  But I will tell you they contain some of the most exciting news ever for nonprofits across Kentucky!  Be looking for an announcement in the coming weeks, and, more importantly, put a big star on your calendar for Wednesday, April 24.

 

If you have a 2013 list, I hope yours is manageable and includes continuing your involvement with KNN.  We hope to remain on the list of memberships you value, your list of emails you read and your list of partners you call on.  We also hope your list for 2013 includes a little time for fun – maybe even a bucket list!  If you don’t keep lists, good for you!  Someday I hope to join you – I have put ‘stop keeping lists’ on one of mine.

Danielle Clore

Executive Director