By Lora Dow

Recently, the YMCA announced a change in its brand identity. Much has been made in the press about the organization referring to itself as simply “the Y” and the updated logo it will use going forward.

But more interesting is the work the organization has done to articulate what it does. Their market research indicated that most people (members, donors, neighbors) did not know the full depth and breadth of the services provided by the Y. So, along with the name and logo change, the organization simplified how it talks about the programs and services it provides. Essentially, how it talks about itself. The Y is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility.

Does your organization have a similar issue? Do you do so many different (and good and important and unique) things, that your constituents might be confused as to what you’re really about? How can you simplify the language you use to describe your purpose – and thereby make the decision to give even easier for prospective donors?

PS – We know a lot of our readers are actually from Ys. Join us for a free webinar Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern/10:00 a.m. Central to learn how you can use the Y brand architecture to strengthen your case for support.  Contact us to register!

by Jon Simons

Looking at life from the dark side of 40, I have come to learn some things about myself:  I don’t bounce like I used to, I will never be accused of being “fashionable” and I really like to build stuff!  Let me take that last point a bit further, not only do I like to build stuff, but I NEED to build stuff!

This past weekend while my wife was away, I set out to put the finishing touches on our ongoing landscaping plan for our home.  Armed with great enthusiasm, good advice from “friends” on the internet (a shout out to ThisOldHouse.com), and the basic skills and coordination to dig a hole, I planned to lay a cobble stone edge to my driveway.  I am proud to say that after 3,040 lbs. of concrete, 210 cobble stones (5,250 lbs.) and massive doses of Advil, I headed off to the airport on Sunday afternoon to pick up my wife admiring a fully edged driveway in my rear view mirror.

I enjoy building stuff as much for the process as the product.  I like doing the work just as much as I like getting the job done.  I like the reward of seeing the fruits of my labors and knowing that I have created something tangible and hopefully long-lasting. On about my seventh trip to Lowes last weekend, it occurred to me that I am not alone. Lots of people enjoy building stuff. (And they all happened to be standing ahead of me at the one register that was attended by a real human being.)

Now that the tools are put away and the dust has settled on my most recent project, I am sitting in my office (with a great view of my driveway) doing my “real” job!  As the Advil and portable back massager do their magic, I am reminded that we are blessed in the field of fund development to be building every day. We are building a future of hope for children and families, we are building communities filled with love, health and inclusion, and we are building the capacity of caring adults as they strive to create a better world.

Although not as easily noticed as a row of carefully placed stones, we need to keep our eyes open and appreciate the true fruits of our labors!

By Bruce Berglund

After years of working with non-profits around the country, I’ve come to realize that most major campaigns have a few key moments that will make or break them.  There is that moment when the right leaders step forward. There is the moment when the vision coalesces.  And there is the moment where everyone begins to worry if anything will happen with this campaign.

After months of friendraising and painting a picture of the vision for your project, you might be wondering why the money isn’t pouring in. Don’t the donors understand how important your project is?  Do you need to ask them in a different way?

This is the moment to trust in the power of your vision and stay the course. In a lot of ways, it’s like making popcorn on a stove.

Stick with me for this analogy.  Have you ever made popcorn on a stovetop?  You get out a pan and put a little oil in the bottom. You heat up the oil, add the popcorn kernels, put on the lid… and wait.

And wait…

You might be tempted to peak under the cover, but that will just let the heat out.  You might be tempted to crank up the heat, but that will just burn the kernels.  You have to be patient, which is not easy to do. (Especially if you’re hungry for popcorn!)

Eventually you hear a pop.  You wait a few seconds, and then another pop.  It is as if those first few pops were all it took to wake up the rest of the batch and suddenly the whole pot is shaking as kernel after kernel explodes.

Fundraising campaigns are a lot like that.  Getting those first few gifts takes a lot of time and patience, but with each gift momentum grows and suddenly the whole campaign takes off.

The next time you reach this juncture in a campaign, remember to trust the process and have a little patience.  Don’t let the steam out by “lifting the lid” or asking too soon.  And don’t burn out your volunteers by cranking up the heat too high.  Put the right ingredients together in the right conditions and success will follow.

Now who’s hungry for popcorn?