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Monthly Archives

October 2024

Oct 28

Charitable Advisors Month of Giving: Spotlighting 30 Nonprofits During a Critical Time for Year-End Giving

By Feature

By Chelsea Ohlemiller, Charitable Advisors

As November kicks off, Charitable Advisors is excited to announce our Month of Giving campaign. Over the next 30 days, we’ll be spotlighting these incredible Indiana-based nonprofits across our social media platforms, sharing their missions, the communities they serve, and the ways individuals can support them through donations and other giving opportunities. This initiative comes at a pivotal time for nonprofits, as the final quarter of the year is critical for hitting fundraising goals and gaining momentum for the year ahead.

Why November Matters for Nonprofits

For many nonprofits, the year-end giving season is the most important fundraising period of the year. In fact, according to Nonprofit Source, nearly one-third (31%) of annual donations happen in the last three months of the year, with December alone accounting for a significant portion. But the push for donations often begins in November, as nonprofits ramp up their outreach and connect with donors ahead of Giving Tuesday and other key events.

Indiana nonprofits, like those featured in our Month of Giving campaign, are no exception. These organizations provide vital services across the state, from feeding families in need to offering mental health support and education initiatives. Yet, many face the challenge of limited marketing budgets and a crowded field of causes vying for donor attention. That’s where Charitable Advisors steps in—our Month of Giving campaign aims to elevate the visibility of these organizations, driving awareness and engagement at a time when it’s needed most.

The Power of Visibility

A key goal of the Month of Giving is to help nonprofits connect with potential donors who may be unaware of their work or the specific impact they’re making in their communities. Through daily posts on our social media platforms, we’ll highlight one organization each day and provide clear calls to action for how individuals can contribute. Whether it’s through financial donations or specific giving opportunities—such as supporting a particular program or meeting an urgent need—our posts will make it easy for donors to get involved.

Statistics back up the importance of this kind of visibility. The 2023 Giving USA report found that individual giving accounted for 64% of all charitable contributions in 2022, totaling $499.33 billion. Online giving, in particular, has seen consistent growth, representing 13% of total donations. With more and more donors engaging online, especially during the year-end giving season, our goal is to ensure that Indiana nonprofits have the platform they need to reach these supporters and secure the donations that will sustain their work into the next year.

Meet the 30 Nonprofits

Over the next 30 days, we will feature a wide range of nonprofit organizations working across Indiana. From small grassroots organizations to larger, well-established nonprofits, the selected groups span a variety of sectors including healthcare, education, environmental conservation, homelessness, and youth development. Each of these nonprofits plays a crucial role in addressing the needs of Indiana’s communities, and we’re honored to help share their stories. Organizations were selected from the ‘Wants & Wins’ email outreach, with priority given to the first 30 respondents to ensure a fair and timely process. For future opportunities, be sure to sign up for that email list here: https://charitableadvisors.com/subscribe/

Whether that’s through a one-time donation, a recurring gift, or in-kind support, our hope is that this increased exposure will lead to a surge in both awareness and contributions.

Preparing for Year-End Success

As we head into the final stretch of the year, we know how critical this time is for nonprofits. A study by Network for Good found that 12% of all annual giving occurs in just the last three days of the year, underscoring the importance of November as a ramp-up period for year-end success. By participating in the Month of Giving, these 30 Indiana nonprofits are well-positioned to maximize their outreach and hit their year-end fundraising goals. With the right momentum, these organizations can build a solid foundation for 2025 and beyond, ensuring they have the resources they need to continue serving their communities.

Looking Forward

The Month of Giving is an exciting opportunity to showcase the amazing work being done by Indiana nonprofits and to encourage our community to step up and support these organizations. We hope that through this initiative, donors will not only learn more about the causes closest to home, but also feel inspired to contribute in ways that make a lasting impact.

Stay tuned to Charitable Advisors’ social media channels throughout November as we highlight the incredible work of these nonprofits. Together, we can make this season of giving the most successful yet for Indiana’s nonprofit sector.

Please note, Organizations were selected from the ‘Wants & Wins’ email outreach, with priority given to the first 30 respondents to ensure a fair and timely process. While we wish we could include everyone, we are limited on space and capacity. We look forward to additionally opportunities to continue our advocacy for increasing the visibility of Indiana nonprofits.

Oct 11

Beware of a New Scam Targeting Nonprofit Organizations

By Sponsor Insight

By Jill Robisch, National Bank of Indianapolis

Nonprofit organizations, known for their mission-driven work and commitment to community welfare, are increasingly becoming targets of a sophisticated scam. This scam involves fraudulent donors sending counterfeit checks to nonprofits, only to follow up with a request to return a portion of the funds—before the organization realizes the check is bogus.

Here’s how the scam typically unfolds:

  1. Initial Contact: The scam begins when a supposed donor reaches out to the nonprofit, often presenting themselves as a well-meaning individual or a representative of a company. They express a desire to make a substantial donation, often targeting smaller nonprofits that may be less equipped to verify the legitimacy of the funds.
  2. The Fake Check: The donor sends a check for a significant amount, which the nonprofit deposits into its bank account. The check appears genuine, and the nonprofit, eager to put the funds to good use, may not immediately question its authenticity.
  3. The Refund Request: After the check is deposited, the scammer contacts the nonprofit again, claiming that they accidentally overpaid or need a portion of the funds back for some reason—such as an emergency or to cover a different expense. They request that the nonprofit wire the excess funds back or send a separate check.
  4. The Revelation: After the nonprofit sends the requested refund, the original check bounces, as it was fraudulent. The organization is left with a loss, not only of the funds they returned but also of any bank fees incurred.

How to Protect Your Nonprofit

To avoid falling victim to this scam, nonprofits should take the following precautions:

  • Verify Donors: Before accepting large donations, especially from new or unknown donors, verify their identity and the legitimacy of the donation. Contact the donor directly using official channels, not through the contact information provided in suspicious emails or letters.
  • Wait for Clearance: Do not refund any part of a donation until the check has fully cleared. Bank processing times can vary, and it’s essential to wait until the funds are confirmed as available in your account.
  • Educate Your Team: Ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of this scam and understand the importance of verifying checks and donations. Providing regular training on recognizing potential fraud can help protect your organization.
  • Consult with Your Bank: Work closely with your bank to identify and mitigate risks. They can offer guidance on how to verify checks and may provide tools to help you spot fraudulent transactions.

Nonprofit organizations should remain vigilant against this type of fraud. By implementing strong financial controls and educating their teams, they can protect themselves from falling prey to these increasingly common scams.

Oct 08

How to Prepare for Effective Training: Start with Clear Work Instructions

By Uncategorized

By Julie Struble, Charitable Advisors

In the nonprofit world, we often juggle multiple responsibilities—from managing donor relationships and overseeing programs to onboarding new hires and meeting stakeholders’ expectations. One of the most valuable tools we can provide our teams to help them navigate these tasks is documented processes. They don’t just keep the ship running smoothly—they ensure that staff can consistently achieve high-quality outcomes and be prepared for any challenge, including their training and onboarding.

Why Documented Processes Matter
Having documented processes in place offers a multitude of benefits for your organization, particularly when it comes to training and development. Let’s break down the key reasons:

  1. Achieving Consistent Outcomes
    Documented processes provide a clear roadmap for staff, ensuring they can consistently meet accreditation standards and funder requirements. When everyone knows how to perform their duties correctly, it becomes easier to meet organizational goals and maintain high performance across the board.
  2. Faster Onboarding and Training
    With a guide in place, new hires and program staff can be brought up to speed in weeks instead of months. This reduces the time spent on repetitive explanations, allowing employees to become productive more quickly.
  3. Ensuring Continuity in Case of Absences
    If a team member is sick, on vacation, or leaves the organization, documented processes allow another person to step in seamlessly. This ensures continuity, and your organization’s operations won’t miss a beat.

Steps to Prepare for a Training Program

Preparing for effective training requires careful thought and planning. Once you’ve created documented processes for your team, it’s important to choose the right format for training. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Select Key Processes to Document
    You don’t need to document every task—just focus on those that are critical to your organization’s success. For most nonprofits, this will be five to twelve key processes that directly impact outcomes, whether they relate to donor management, program delivery, or compliance.
  2. Write a Purpose Statement
    For each process, define the expected outcome and the consequences if the task isn’t completed correctly. This helps your team understand why the process is essential. For instance, if a grant report is submitted late or inaccurately, what are the consequences for funding or accreditation?
  3. List Inputs and Outputs
    Document the tools, software, and data necessary to complete the task (inputs), and describe the measurable result once the task is completed (outputs). Connecting these outputs to your organization’s quarterly or annual goals helps give the team context and shows them how their work contributes to the mission.
  4. Break It Down Into Milestones
    Divide larger tasks into key milestones. Then, document one milestone at a time with a simple step-by-step process (typically 8-10 steps). This makes it easier for team members to follow the workflow. If there are more than 10 steps, break the task down into smaller milestones.
  5. Review and Refine the Process
    Once the process is drafted, review it with your team. Check for any missed steps and refine where necessary. Share the documented process during a departmental meeting to gather feedback and finalize it for approval by the department manager or executive director.

November HR Nonprofit Peer Group webinar

Documenting processes might seem like a time-consuming task, but the payoff is well worth it. With streamlined procedures in place, your nonprofit can achieve its goals faster, provide higher-quality services, and operate more efficiently. And the best part? With the right approach, you can draft a process in as little as 15 minutes.

Join us on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. for Maximizing learning outcomes: Choosing the right training format webinar. Our presenters will guide us through the best training format for your staff.  See below to register.

Oct 07

5 Leadership Books for Nonprofits

By Feature

by Chelsea Ohlemiller, Charitable Advisors

In the nonprofit sector, leadership is more than just guiding teams—it’s about fostering growth, driving social change, and empowering individuals to make a difference. Nonprofit leaders and employees often face unique challenges, from limited resources to high-stakes decisions that affect entire communities. To thrive, leaders and their teams need continuous inspiration, education, and empowerment.

Leadership literature can provide fresh insights and practical tools to navigate these challenges. Here are five essential leadership books that every nonprofit leader and employee should consider adding to their reading list.

1. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last is a powerful exploration of leadership that focuses on the human side of leading organizations. At its core, this book argues that the best leaders prioritize the well-being of their teams above their own interests. Inspired by the military concept that leaders should be the last to eat in the mess hall, Sinek explains that true leadership comes from fostering a circle of safety within the organization.

      For nonprofit leaders, this book provides a compelling framework for building trust and cooperation within teams. Nonprofits thrive when leaders create an environment where employees feel valued, protected, and empowered to do their best work. Sinek’s insights on empathy, teamwork, and servant leadership are particularly valuable for leaders whose mission is community-focused.

      2. “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni
      Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is a must-read for nonprofit leaders looking to improve teamwork and organizational effectiveness. This business fable presents common obstacles that teams face, including a lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results.

        Lencioni offers practical solutions for overcoming these dysfunctions, making it easier to build cohesive and high-performing teams. Nonprofit employees often work under high-pressure situations, and team dynamics can make or break the organization’s success. By addressing and overcoming these five dysfunctions, nonprofit leaders can create a more collaborative and productive work environment.

        3. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
        Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in leadership. Based on her research on shame and vulnerability, Brown argues that brave leadership requires the willingness to have difficult conversations, embrace uncertainty, and lean into discomfort.

          For nonprofit leaders, this approach is especially relevant, as the work often involves navigating complex social issues and driving change in challenging environments. Brown’s emphasis on vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness encourages leaders to be open, honest, and courageous in their decision-making.

          Nonprofit employees can also benefit from the lessons in this book by developing the courage to ask questions, take risks, and contribute to solutions. Dare to Lead offers practical tools for creating a culture of openness and trust within teams.

          4. “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink
          Drive by Daniel H. Pink is an insightful exploration of human motivation that challenges conventional wisdom about what drives individuals to perform at their best. Pink argues that traditional motivators, such as financial incentives, are not as effective as autonomy, mastery, and purpose in driving long-term motivation and engagement.

            This book is particularly useful for nonprofit leaders because employees in the sector are often driven by a deep sense of purpose. Pink’s framework can help leaders create environments where employees feel a strong connection to their work, are encouraged to develop their skills, and are empowered to take ownership of their responsibilities.

            For teams that are passionate about their mission but may struggle with burnout or lack of resources, Drive offers actionable insights on how to sustain motivation and keep employees engaged.

            5. “Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
            Nonprofit leaders are often tasked with driving change, whether it’s in their organization, their community, or the larger societal issues they aim to address. Switch by Chip and Dan Heath offers a compelling guide to understanding how change happens and why it is often difficult to achieve. The authors use storytelling and research to explore the psychological and emotional factors that influence change, making their approach relatable and actionable.

              One of the key insights from Switch is the idea of aligning both the rational and emotional sides of individuals to create sustainable change. The Heath brothers argue that successful change efforts must appeal to both logic (the Rider) and emotion (the Elephant). This is particularly valuable for nonprofit leaders who need to inspire others to embrace change, whether it’s within their organization or in the communities they serve.

              Conclusion

              Leadership in the nonprofit sector comes with a unique set of challenges. By investing in personal growth and expanding your leadership knowledge, you can empower yourself and your team to tackle these challenges head-on. Each of the books mentioned provides invaluable lessons on how to inspire, educate, and motivate your employees to make a lasting impact.

              Whether you’re looking to build stronger teams, create a culture of trust, or drive meaningful change, these books offer actionable insights that can guide you on your leadership journey. As a nonprofit leader, your role is not just to manage—it’s to inspire and empower those around you to protect and serve our communities with passion and purpose.