Nightmare on Non-Profit Street

And how a strong non-profit has nothing to be afraid of!

Halloween is just around the corner, are you ready? For one night everyone will be spooked with costumes, decorations and spine-tingling movies that tap into their worst fears. For non-profits, however, it can seem as though Halloween never ends--at any time our nightmares can come true! A director might get the shivers when he or she thinks of running out of funds or the cancellation of a big event, but a strong organization has nothing to fear!

Worst Nightmare #1: "You work with who?"
When somebody works for a non-profit or charity, every upcoming event is marked in the calendar, the mission statement is committed to memory, and he or she might mention the name 100 times per week.  Approaching potential sponsors, donors and the community is daunting enough, but it becomes a bad dream when those groups have never even heard of the organization that employee has put so much work into. Of course it is to be expected if you are the new kid on the non-profit block, but here is how to avoid that awkward situation in the future.

1. Be focused. Have a specific goal, a relevant title, and clear mission statement.There should be no confusion about what exactly an organization does!
2. Continuing that idea, an organization needs to be useful. Find a need, then fill it. If another group is already doing what you do, then the chances are that others won't take notice. 
3. Picture for a moment what happens when you burst a water balloon. Not only does water splash everywhere, but all the little balloon pieces fly off, too. That should be an organization's name. Have a website, comment on other blogs, and put it on every social media site. Include the name in every message, PSA or piece of paper that goes out of the door. Have a logo on your office window and a sign at every event you're even remotely affiliated with. The more times community members see and hear your name, the less you'll have to worry about them not knowing who you are!

Worst Nightmare #2: Event cancellation.
Does the thought of rain make you scream? Would the cancellation of a 5K permit send you running? Do you get goosebumps when you imagine a venue scheduling over your reservation? If you answered "yes" to these questions, chances are you have been there before, and probably with a non-profit organization. For small organizations in particular, large amounts of the budget go towards planning and promoting an event, and a cancellation can be devastating. The key is to be prepared and ready to jump into some serious crisis management! Here is how a non-profit can find it's way out of this scary situation.

1. Before the event, have a backup plan for scenarios such as bad weather. How much you can plan for varies each event, but always be prepared for as much as possible!
2. Immediately address guests/participants, sponsors and staff. Guests might want a refund, but you can always offer something such as free admission to your next event. Likewise for sponsors. If they donated any items or funds, they deserve just compensation and an explanation about what went wrong. Maintain a positive image and good relations with all parties!
3. Financially, the best bet is to try and move the event to another day so no funds are wasted. If that isn't possible, it honestly comes down to doubling fundraising efforts and focusing on future events to cover any lost costs.

Worst Nightmare #3: Pockets are eerily empty.
Funding. It's the never ending battle of all non-profits. Another large portion of budgets often go into fundraising efforts, but if yourself with empty pockets, you can work hard on fundraising, apply for grants or make your way onto websites that consolidate organizations into one location, such as NetworkForGood.org.

If you really run out of money completely, it can be difficult to get back onto your feet. The best plan is to avoid this situation entirely!

1. Maintain good accounting practices. Basic? Yes, but it is essential to always understand your financial position.
2. Prioritize spending. Make a budget and be careful about where the money goes. It would be a shame to provide lunch every Friday for employees and then not have enough money to cover advertising costs of a new initiative. 
3. Set goals. Once again, this seems rudimentary. However, having a goal to strive for can motivate the whole team to work harder and might encourage donors to give more when they see the specific number you are reaching for!
4. Be interesting. Few people will pick up the phone, listen to a brief introduction and donation request, then jump out of his or her seat with excitement. Always have original events that the community can be excited about, and work to make sure anyone you are addressing really understands your mission and cares about helping your organization reach it's goals.
5. Part two of that last bullet is how you make potential donors and participants care. Well, I hate to say it, but human nature is a little bit selfish. Always strive to make relationships mutually beneficial. Have contests, prizes for participants and/or opportunities for sponsors to promote themselves. 

Well, readers, now you know three of our worst nightmares! Like anything, though, they are a lot less spooky when someone shines a little light on them. Do you have any advice or want to share your experience about a non-profit nightmare? Be sure to comment or tweet it to us @Pledge5!

Don't forget that our Vampire's Blood Drive is still going on, and the Vampire's Ball is just around the corner! Follow Vlad the Vampire on our Twitter and Facebook Pages to hear about all the prizes and contests going on! Ve Vant Your Blood! Give back to the community today.

--The Pledge 5 Team