Tag: nonprofit

Three Lessons Salt Institute Has Taught Us

When the dust settles and Salt Institute’s fate is sealed, this story will make one heck of a case study.

Let me introduce you to Salt Institute for Documentary Studies (Salt). Information from the About page on its website says that Salt is:

salta non-profit school in Portland, Maine offering semester-long intensive programs in documentary writing, radio, photography and new media with a focus on powerful and responsible storytelling. We also exhibit documentary work in our gallery and host documentary-related events.

Students come from all over the US and other countries for fifteen weeks of intensive field research, workshops and seminars. Throughout the semester, students gather cultural materials and develop their craft to create documentaries of professional caliber.

What Salt does has been called ethnography, storytelling, cultural journalism, oral history, folklore, qualitative sociology, documentary photography, visual anthropology, non-fiction writing, NPR-style radio and long-form journalism. But we are less concerned about what to call what we do than how we do it.

Salt’s Board of Directors announced in mid-June that Salt would be closing its doors. The Portland Press Herald reported that the decision was based on the organization’s financial status and the inability to find a replacement for the executive director who had indicated she would be leaving the institution. Alumni were notified by letter after the decision was made to close Salt. A group of those alumni quickly formed Save Salt! and prepared a proposal which they presented to Salt’s board in an attempt to keep Salt from closing. Maine College of Art also reached out to the board to investigate some options available to Salt.

A month and a half later, The Boston Globe reports that “Maine’s Salt Institute may have found a saving plan.” And, hold onto your shorts for this one: Salt’s executive director and board chair “acknowledged that the school’s skeleton staff has had no time to seek corporate sponsorships or conduct fund-raising drives.” Say what? A nonprofit educational institution found no time for an annual campaign? Oh. My. Goodness.

Yes, I can be called a Monday morning quarterback and criticized for simplifying the situation. I wasn’t involved with the day-to-day decisions that had to be made at Salt. I’m relying on news reports and alumni comments for information in this post. And, of course, it’s often much easier to look back on a situation and see where the train went careening wildly off the tracks. That being said, Salt has offered up a variety of lessons for nonprofit staff and volunteers. Let’s take a look at three of those lessons.

  1. Put the structure in place to ensure sustainability of your organization. That structure includes staff, volunteer committees, plans to support the organization’s mission and vision. While this sounds simple enough and logical enough, Salt really missed the boat on this one. (Unfortunately, Salt is not alone on this one.)
  2. Identify and stay connected with your supporters. There are lots of “what ifs” to take a look at here:
    1. What if they had created a sense of urgency rather than a sense of desperation?
    2. What if they had connected earlier with alumni?
    3. What if they had reached out to the business community?
    4. What if they had reached out to the community that visited their exhibits?
    5. What if they had implemented robust fundraising and marketing campaigns?
    6. What if volunteer committees (in addition to the board) had been formed?
    7. What if tuition had been increased (currently at $10,000/semester)?
    8. What if they had reached out to collaborate with other arts organizations?

I’ll stop here, but you get the point. This is a quick list of low-hanging fruit.

  1. Ask for what you need. Whether it’s volunteer hours, donations of equipment, or the mighty dollar that will ease your organization’s burden, you won’t get it if you don’t ask for it. When your community knows what you need, it’s amazing what they’ll do to support nonprofits. Again, there are so many ways to connect with your community and let your followers know how they can help your organization. Those fundraising and marketing plans mentioned above – they come in handy here.

The announcement that Salt was closing its doors was met with surprise and shock by its alumni. Instead of accepting closure as Salt’s destiny, however, alumni are putting their storytelling skills to work as they rewrite the next chapter of Salt’s history. I look forward to seeing the stories that future storytellers of Salt will share with us.

do good work | share your story | advance your cause

Three Lessons Salt Institute Has Taught Us was last modified: August 3rd, 2015 by Deb Nelson

Running for Good: Good for the Community and Good for You

This Sunday, get off the couch and hit the pavement. Stretch your legs and support an organization helping people who are facing health challenges.

 If you’re in Maine this Sunday, lace up your running shoes and hit the road for a 5K filled with fun in Brewer or Sanford. Each run will support a nonprofit lending a hand to those in treatment for cancer. Here are the details:

Brewer:
The Purple Iris Foundation will host its 2nd Annual Pound the Pavement 5K FUN Color Run. The race starts at 9:30 at the Brewer Auditorium. Chris Parrish founded the organization after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer: “The Purple Iris Foundation…..It’s my dream. I want to raise money for people who have pancreatic cancer that can’t afford treatment.” ~ Chris Parrish

Sanford:

Grahamtastic Connection hosts its 4th Annual 5K Run & Walk. Registration and packet pickup begin in 8:00 a.m. Leslie Morissette is the founder of this organization to honor her son, Graham, after he lost his life to cancer. Grahamtastic Connection provides laptops, tablets, and internet access to seriously ill children.

Caroline and me at last year's Grahamtastic 5K Run & Walk
Caroline and me at last year’s Grahamtastic 5K Run & Walk

While running or walking in these 5Ks will support the nonprofit community and the people they serve, these 5Ks are also good for participants. Whether it’s your first 5K or your 100th 5K, the exercise you’re getting will help you stay healthy and fend off illness. If it is your first 5K, use this as a benchmark and train throughout the winter months. You’ll be surprised at the progress you can make running three time a week. I was able to participate in last year’s Grahamtastic Connection 5k with my husband, my Goddaughter Caroline, and her mother. It was Caroline’s first 5K; since then, we’ve followed a plan to run three times a week. The results: we’ve run a 5-mile race and a 10-mile race together!

So…support those in need with your registration fees and donations; support your own health by moving those feet!

Let’s stay connected: Sign up for blog posts, and drop me an email to let me know about the good work of nonprofits in your community.

 

Running for Good: Good for the Community and Good for You was last modified: October 14th, 2014 by Deb Nelson

TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race: There’s Room For Everyone at Joanie’s Run

Here it is Sunday night, the weekend’s winding down, and I’m watching the Boston Red Sox play those dreaded New York Yankees. tdWhile this is a good way to end the weekend (as long as the Red Sox win), I find myself thinking about yesterday’s TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race along the coast of Southern Maine. It was the third time I’ve run this race, and it’s the third time I’ve thanked the running gods for Joan Benoit-Samuelson.

With countless 10K races in Maine alone, what’s so special about this race? Well, let me tell you. In a word: Joanie is what’s so special about this race:

Every year for the past 17 years, Joanie has brought runners of every ability “to some of [her] most favorite training grounds.”

Every year elite runners from around the world are joined by not-so-elite-but-no-less-enthusiastic runners from around the country. 46 states were represented in this year’s race.

Every year the residents of Cape Elizabeth open their town and their homes to host elite runners visiting the Coast of Maine.

Every year the people who live along the race route create a party atmosphere that powers the runners to dig a little deeper and have a little fun as they climb that last hill.

Every year a local nonprofit is selected as the beneficiary of the race and receives publicity, a cash donation from TD Charitable Foundation, and has the opportunity to put together a fundraising team of its own for the race.

Every year at the start of the race, we hear Joanie tell us how important the runners and volunteers are to this race.

Key to why we all love Joanie and the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is that every year Joanie puts the spotlight on someone other than herself. In 2012 when the documentary There is No Finish Line: The Joan Benoit-Samuelson Story was released, Joanie ran with back of the packers (including me) around Portland’s Back Cove. She ran with us, chatted with us as we ran, and offered up some advice for each one of us. Joanie continues to observe, encourage, and inspire the back of the packers to run every day of the year.

Shirts, bibs, and cowbells
Shirts, bibs, and cowbells

She and her team, which includes race director Dave MacGillivray, work behind the scenes year-round to make adjustments to the race. The rest of us wait to see how the race will be improved from the previous year – even though we thought it was just about perfect to begin with. No detail is forgotten ­­­at any stage of planning, which is something we’ve come to expect from our Olympic Gold Medalist who puts together a race that sells out in minutes and is talked about for years.

An important detail. . .
An important detail. . .

As I left the packet pickup expo, I heard several people commenting: “they’ve got this down,” “they know their stuff,” “wow – that was organized.” After the race, buses were ready and waiting to take runners back to their cars; praise all around for the volunteers and logistics. ­­Complaints and whining? Are you kidding? The only thing that comes close to a complaint is those of us who wonder what our time would have been if we’d gone up that last hill just a little faster.

So, thank you Joanie, for bringing a race to Maine that welcomes and accommodates every runner, walker, and wheelchair participant. And thank you to all of the sponsors, volunteers, and spectators for being a part of this race. See you next year, going up that last hill just a little bit faster.

TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race: There’s Room For Everyone at Joanie’s Run was last modified: August 3rd, 2014 by Deb Nelson

The Sky’s the Limit When Your Board Has the Tools to Give You the Help You Need

Entering the new year is the perfect opportunity to press the reset button and recharge your nonprofit’s board of directors. By letting each hot-air-balloon-67816_640member of your board know exactly what action they can take to help you reach your goals in 2014, you can put your plan into motion and make this year a successful one for your nonprofit.

Your board of directors should include your most powerful advocates; give them the tools to support your organization and you’ll all be better for it. Here are five easy-to-implement tactics to move your board to action early in 2014:

  1. Give your board of directors a printed list of your organization’s goals for 2014. (You’ve set your goals, right?) While sharing goals with your board sounds obvious enough, it’s amazing how many board members are banging their heads against the wall in frustration as they try to figure out what they can do to move your nonprofit forward. 
  2. Keep board members updated as you move toward your goals and celebrate small victories. Monthly updates at a board meeting can cover this: a brief recap at the meeting itself and a visual in your board packet. Include a graphic element for those who need images to get the full meaning of progress toward goals. Continued focus on your goals will keep both board and staff energized throughout the year.
  3. Help board members spread the news about your organization’s good work. Have a mission moment at every board meeting: bring in someone who’s benefited from your organization to share how his/her life has changed thanks to your organization. This is a powerful way to engage your board – making them proud to be associated with your organization AND providing them with a great story to share with friends, family, and colleagues.
  4. Ask each board member to call four donors to say thank you. If they get voicemail, simply leave a message and this job is done. If they get to talk to the donor, make sure you’ve provided them with talking points so they can speak to how the donor’s funds will be / have been put to use (see points 1 and 3).
  5. Ask five board members to visit with three donors to say thank you and to update them about your organization’s work. (What’s that, you don’t have five board members? That’s a whole other issue.) This will help strengthen the relationships with supportive donors and board members. 

Bonus tip number 6: schedule a coffee meeting with any board member who isn’t able to make a board meeting to keep them current with board activities. If a board member doesn’t have time to chat about your organization’s goals, have that tough conversation to find out whether being on the board is a good fit for you both.

You can see that these tactics are certainly not rocket science – you’ve probably had these ideas in the past. The difference this year is that you’re going to make sure they actually happen. Put the plan in motion, follow up, and follow through. You’ll be amazed by the number 0f new stories these simple actions can generate. Enjoy the ride and share your successes below or connect with me directly!

The Sky’s the Limit When Your Board Has the Tools to Give You the Help You Need was last modified: January 6th, 2014 by Deb Nelson

LiveStrong: A Powerful Force for Good

Today is LiveStrong Day, a day to acknowledge and support the 28 million people around the world who are living with cancer. This annual celebration takes place on the anniversary of Lance Armstrong’s October 2, 1996 cancer diagnosis. Yes, you read that correctly, a celebration of a cancer diagnosis. In Armstrong’s own words:

The truth is that cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Armstrong’s diagnosis is also the best thing that happened to millions of cancer patients. After fighting his own battle with cancer, Armstrong (with a little help from his friends) founded LiveStrong – a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families navigate the unfamiliar territory of cancer treatment. At a time when emotions are running high and stakes for choosing the right treatment are even higher, LiveStrong’s employees step in to lend a helping hand to millions of people around the world.

Yes, I’m a Lance Armstrong fan. Yes, I wear one of those yellow wristbands every day. And this is why: Armstrong could easily write a check – a very large check – every year to support cancer research; or he could hold one heck of an annual event to raise millions of dollars in support of cancer research. Instead, he shows up every day leveraging his name, his story, and his healthy athletic self to help people figure out how they can deal with hearing these three words: You. Have. Cancer.

Instead of feeling alone, cancer patients are embraced by an extended family experiencing the highs and lows of cancer treatment right along with them. There is a place to turn when you have a question about your cancer treatment; there is a place to turn when you don’t know what questions to ask; that place is LiveStrong.

The words of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and LiveStrong say it best:

Unity is strength.

Knowledge is power.

Attitude is everything.

LiveStrong may be the most powerful example of leveraging celebrity status I’ve come across. But then again, we’d expect nothing less of Armstrong, would we?

 

This blog post is one in a series highlighting good deeds. Please share examples of good deeds in your community with us below or contact Deb directly.

LiveStrong: A Powerful Force for Good was last modified: October 2nd, 2012 by Deb Nelson

Need Funding? Make. Every. Word. Count.

Whether your goal is to bring your entrepreneurial vision to the masses or carry out the mission of a nonprofit, your success in the search for funds will undoubtedly rest upon your ability to develop and share a good story.

Just how do you craft that story? No problem here thanks to Seth Rigoletti of Valico Group and his 10 basic steps to persuasive communication. At a workshop hosted by Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, Rigoletti illustrated with quick wit and confidence how each of these steps will help you prepare for any conversation with a potential investor or donor:

  1. Core message that can be said in one sentence.
    This step sets the stage for your ask, forcing you to clarify exactly what is so special about your cause. AND it is also the sentence that will make your listeners say, “Wow, tell me more.” If your core message can’t be said in one sentence, you don’t have a core message yet. Keep working.
  2. Organize your pitch:
    a. Tell them the problem.
    b. Tell them your solution.
    c. So what?
    This is my favorite question: when you can answer this question without becoming defensive, you are well on your way to achieving your goal. ALWAYS be ready for this question.
  3. Be simple, not simplistic. (No jargon unless specifically asked.)
    Simple here means clear language that someone not in your field can understand. Do not confuse being simple with being condescending. Condescension = game over and you lose.
  4. Be Bold. Trust yourself. Self-doubt is not invited.
    Check your insecurity and self-doubt at the door; do not let them eat away at your credibility. Enter the room as an expert, prepared to defend your idea.
  5. Communicate your passion for the idea by revealing your excitement in its possibilities.
    Make it clear why you’re doing this work. We don’t pay tune in to boring; if you’re not enthusiastic, why should prospective investors or donors pay attention to you?
  6. Don’t expect or need anything from anyone. (Wanting is okay, neediness not so much.)
    Desperation is not your friend here.
  7. Be concrete in your examples. (Practice them on your friends.)
    The example Rigoletti had here was President John F. Kennedy’s request for funding from Congress: “[T]his nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”  Boom: concrete, challenging, clear.
  8. Use stories (real or imagined) to convey and illustrate the value of the idea.
    Everyone – yes, everyone – loves a good story. If you’re introducing a new product or program, begin with “Imagine the impact of…” or “Imagine the possibilities when…” and refine, refine, refine.
  9. Give them a reason other than wealth for following you.
    Their investment needs to go past your fortune and fame. Explain how the world is a better place because of this endeavor.
  10. Be honest and humble. “I don’t know” isn’t a death sentence as long as you can follow it up with what you do know.
    You’re bound to run into a question that will require you to answer by either
    (a) saying “I don’t know” or (b) making something up. Choose option (a).  This is where that boldness and preparation will save the day for you. You can be vulnerable here without being weak. It’s powerful when you are able to confidently say “I don’t know, but what we do know is …”

As you walk through and re-visit these 10 steps, keep in mind that the goal is for the audience to see the problem and solution through your eyes. This will happen when you:

  • Have a clear one-sentence core message
  • Convey your passion through concrete examples / illustrations
  • Trust yourself and your audience

The beauty of storytelling is that the story never ends. As Rigoletti advises: wash, rinse, repeat.

Need Funding? Make. Every. Word. Count. was last modified: August 17th, 2012 by Deb Nelson

Collaborating for Good to Take the Mystery Out of Video Production

If only all meetings could be this effective! Offered free of charge, Telling Your Nonprofit’s Story…Through Video exceeded all expectations. Andrea Berry and Kyle Andrei of Idealware and Maine Association of Nonprofits served up a winner, providing:

 

  • Tips and tools for video production
  • Examples  of powerful messages delivered through video
  • Options for sharing videos online
  • All-important nourishment for this lunch-and-learn session

 

Want to lower your anxiety level around video production a notch or two? Here are a few suggestions that should do the trick:

1. Plan, plan, plan. Before production begins, make sure you’ve identified:

  • Your target audience
  • The action that you want viewers to take after watching your video
  • Great storytellers to appear in your video

2. Tools of the trade. No need to be overwhelmed by technology. Simple tools can help in producing a topnotch video:

  • Flip Camera – great for documentaries and conveying emotion of your organization
  • Tripod – reduces the shakiness of the Flip Camera while still allowing you to maintain the realistic, informal tone of your       piece
  • Sony Handycam – this option brings a higher level of professionalism to your production for viewing at galas/fundraisers

3. Editing Options. Never underestimate the power of editing; clever editing allows you to both show and tell your story. Beginner tools include:

  • iMovie (for Mac users – free)
  • Windows Movie Maker (for PC users – free)
  • Adobe Premiere Elements

4. Publish or Perish.  Online resources make it easier than ever to share your story. Soak up the link love and post your video for all to see:

  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
  • Your Website / Blog
  • Distribute to local news outlets and community TV stations
  • Include in your E-newsletter
  • Facebook and twitter

5. What, there’s more? Gotta love it when you get more than you expected from a presentation:

Onward and upward with video production – put these practices into play and watch the magic happen.

 

Collaborating for Good to Take the Mystery Out of Video Production was last modified: July 16th, 2012 by Deb Nelson