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Best practices for fundraising during a crisis

Jul 17 2020

Now’s a great time to conduct a census

By Steier Tips

Remember when you cancelled your landline or got a new email address? Did you call this change into your parish office? Did you alert your church administrator? Likely no. Parishes and congregations are finding out during COVID-19 that membership rosters are ready for a refresh. It may be time to conduct a census. The outcome will be a roster that contains current email addresses, mailing addresses and cell phone numbers for your supporters. You also may discover that some constituents have moved away – and didn’t leave a forwarding address. The result will be a more accurate database. Is it…

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Jun 03 2020

Live forum: Eliminating the Envelope

By Steier Tips

Religious organizations – when faced with plummeting financial support from their members because of COVID-19 – flocked to provide a platform for online giving. What often took parishes and congregations months to convert turned into a transition of days by necessity, Jared Fritz, Pushpay’s marketing manager, told forum participants that focused on “Eliminating the Envelope.” The forum was hosted by the Steier Group. Fritz shared statistics with participants that reinforced the value of providing donors with a platform for online giving: 74% of churches offer some type of online giving. Less than 15 percent donate by using checks. More than…

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Jun 02 2020

Now’s the time to consider a capital campaign

By Steier Tips

The idea of running a planning (feasibility) study or fundraising campaign while society adjusts to life with COVID-19 may seem a bit crazy. But is it? Over the past several months, the Steier Group has seen a significant evolution in thinking about fundraising during this crisis. In March and April of 2020, nonprofits were rightfully hesitant and unsure about how to proceed. Many determined it was best to weather the storm, hoping that as the situation improved, things would return to normal. We all now recognize “normal” has taken on a whole new meaning and, if we don’t adapt, it…

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May 13 2020

Live forum: Our return to worship

By Steier Tips

Parishioners applauded when St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Valley, Nebraska, reopened for Mass recently. “They were so happy to be at Mass,” reported Fr. Lloyd Gnirk. They also cheered at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska, added Debbie Marcil, pastoral associate. Fr. Gnirk’s and Marcil’s comments were part of a panel discussion hosted by the Steier Group that centered on the topic: “Welcome Home … Our Return to Worship.” Panelists reported that parishioners were excited to be back at Mass – but the numbers of attendees weren’t what they expected. Fr. TJ Dolce, pastor at St….

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May 06 2020

Don’t be afraid to ask major donors for support – they want to help

By Uncategorized

Worried about asking donors for support?  Does the current climate make you hesitant to reach out to supporters for financial support, even though you know your organization needs it? Are you worried that your organization has fallen behind other nonprofits on your donors’ priority list? If these are questions you are having a difficult time answering, consider heeding the advice shared recently in a Steier Group forum. Experts from across the country joined in a video conference to discuss issues facing the fundraising industry. Foundation representatives, business owners and philanthropists agree you cannot allow worldly concerns to stop you from asking…

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Apr 27 2020

Live forum: What are major donors thinking during the COVID-19 crisis?

By Uncategorized

Major donors are the lifeblood of many nonprofit organizations. Will the pandemic and its economic fallout change their focus or level of support? Is it appropriate to ask them for support right now? The Steier Group assembled a panel of major philanthropists and foundation leaders to answer your questions. Watch the discussion here: Ask. Be thoughtful in your request, but ask. This is not the time to stop asking for support, especially when your organization is serving those impacted by COVID-19. And it is not the time to stop asking when your organization is struggling to survive this crisis. This…

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Apr 24 2020

Giving Tuesday Now Talking Points

By Steier Tips

Make sure to address #GivingTuesdayNow while live streaming your weekend church services. It is the perfect time to communicate the importance of supporting the church and other organizations during this day of giving. And it will serve as a reminder of the fast approaching date. Suggested Pulpit Talking Points- April 25/26 We are probably all familiar with the annual Giving Tuesday movement which has inspired hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity for communities and nonprofits around the world. In just over a week, on May 5, we will participate in Giving Tuesday Now which is…

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Apr 22 2020

Giving Tuesday Email Templates

By Steier Tips

GivingTuesday, a worldwide day of giving is on Dec. 1, 2020. Now is the time to inform your donors and supporters about this important day of giving and unity. The Steier Group has compiled Giving Tuesday Email Templates for you to use while implementing your communication plan for the big day. Save the Date for Giving Tuesday Email Template Subject line: Save the Date! Preview text: Join us on Dec. 1 for GivingTuesday, a worldwide day of giving and unity. Purpose: Announce your Giving Tuesday campaign to your donor base. Let them know why the day is important and share…

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Apr 22 2020

Live forum: Digital Do’s and Don’ts

By Steier Tips

The Steier Group’s latest live forum covered the Digital Do’s and Don’ts of what your organization should be doing online to counter the crisis and keep everyone engaged and giving. “People who want to be engaged are engaged,” said Fr. Tom Holder of Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The key is to make it easy for parishioners and donors to stay involved, he said. Fr. Tom talked about how his goal was to make the parish’s website user-friendly so parishioners can easily gain access to all online activities, including weekend Mass and daily reflection….

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Apr 20 2020

Giving Tuesday FAQ

By Steier Tips

The concept of GivingTuesday may be new to you and your constituents. Please use this GivingTuesday FAQ to answer any questions your supporters might have. What is GivingTuesday? GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement and day of giving on Dec. 1, 2020. The day is designed to drive support for communities and nonprofits around the world. What does it cost to participate in GivingTuesday? There are no costs to participate in GivingTuesday. This is a free and open movement to unleash generosity across the world. If you are currently using a digital fundraising platform, there may be costs associated with…

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