Post-election I looked at several very large, long-standing nonprofits that had mission’s that aligned with my desire to get involved as a volunteer. I was shocked at the lack of capacity and infrastructure many of the national organizations that I wanted to get involved with had. Specifically, their inability to capture the groundswell of support, help and donations being offered. 

I researched each; looking at their 990’s, websites, bylaws, etc.. The results were disheartening. Many had no financials posted, nor 990’s available through my development channels and no development strategy in place. 

As a potential donor and volunteer, I had no way of finding out what their financial needs are, how they manage their money and how I can best help.

There is a high expectation of access to information, transparency, and ease in accessing both an organization’s volunteer and financial needs for donor and visitors.

Are your 990’s as easy to find as your donation button?

If not, you need to ask yourself: Are you speaking to your audience and their needs or highlighting information that doesn’t create and, in fact, maybe is stopping engagement?

One organization I’m passionate about helping has 20 immediate grants, emergency grants, available to them. I’ve been unable to contact them, through any channel; email, phone, Twitter, LinkedIn.

These lost opportunities for nonprofit’s lead to a general distrust in potential donors, funders anyone looking to help a well-established organization that’s mission speaks to them.

This issue was our Twitter theme all week and a large part of the Nonprofit Sustainability talk I conducted last week at the Fairfield Public Library, and that will be shown on TCTV through 2017.

Please see our 30Tips in 30Days Twitter Series or email us for help. There are many easy, low costs solutions we can help your organization with immediately. Appeal season is at hand; there's no time to waste; 40% of your unrestricted income will be coming through your, or another organization’s doors over the next six weeks…let’s ensure it goes to your organization.