Reinventing Fundraising
Fundraising is taxing. Everyone does it so everyone's looking for (and fighting over) the next donor or supporter. Even when you're passionate about the organization, it can be hard to stay motivated sometimes, engaged, and excited about what feels like a "never ending treadmill." Even when you give a lot they always need more and many of us end up feeling guilty because we can't or don't give more. We understand. You're not alone in this sentiment. The challenge with fundraising for schools, churches, foundations, and other nonprofits is, really, three-fold:
A. The demand never stops as mentioned above. There is always more need than there are resources to fill it. The more funding you have, the more good you can do, but it really is a never-ending request that so many try valiantly to meet but the needs are so great it can really become discouraging over time.
B. People are burned out. Donors, boosters, alumni, and supporters ... most of us are tired of the requests and invitations to "give a little more, donate again, contribute our time, resources, even our family's estates, to albeit worthy organizations. We want to help but it can develop burn-out, resentment, and more.
C. It takes a long time. It takes time to groom donors. It takes time to build trust. It can takes months or even years to bring in what we need. It really is a never-ending, ongoing. process as mentioned in # 1 above. How do you speed it up so you can meet the demand and do so quickly and more easily. Keep reading.
At Certainty Management, an authorized Affiliate of NuQuo Group, we've developed an extraordinary no-cost fundraising program, a way for nonprofits (schools, churches, foundations, sports teams, and more) to attract and enjoy literally unlimited zero-cost funding. All it takes is a little collaboration and working together. It costs the entities zero upfront or out-of-pocket. Here are the details from the Fundraising tab of our company website:
1. First, we can provide our free print-copy contract analysis to your organization, with zero upfront or out-of-pocket expense. We're not a vendor. We don't sell product or service. We'll help you drive significant savings to your bottom line and it can add up fast. You don't have to switch vendors to save, unless you're unhappy and would like to.
2. Once you see what we do and we have proven our merit in this way (for you or for someone you refer), you may choose to refer us to others ... your donors, alumni, and fans. Do so and, once we've helped these new clients save in the same way (at zero cost to them too), we will donate one-half of any proceeds we earn to your organization.
3. We'll also encourage these donors to gift part of the savings we recover for them as well, to consider matching our donation or give even more if they desire. Some won't but many will. Some may even choose to donate their entire savings. Since these are new, "found" dollars, it's easy. This may create a nice write-off for them as well, of course.
1. First, we can provide our free print-copy contract analysis to your organization, with zero upfront or out-of-pocket expense. We're not a vendor. We don't sell product or service. We'll help you drive significant savings to your bottom line and it can add up fast. You don't have to switch vendors to save, unless you're unhappy and would like to.
2. Once you see what we do and we have proven our merit in this way (for you or for someone you refer), you may choose to refer us to others ... your donors, alumni, and fans. Do so and, once we've helped these new clients save in the same way (at zero cost to them too), we will donate one-half of any proceeds we earn to your organization.
3. We'll also encourage these donors to gift part of the savings we recover for them as well, to consider matching our donation or give even more if they desire. Some won't but many will. Some may even choose to donate their entire savings. Since these are new, "found" dollars, it's easy. This may create a nice write-off for them as well, of course.
4. Most of our clients refer us to others. Who doesn't want to save money, especially when it costs you zero upfront or out-of-pocket? When your referrals refer us to others to help, we'll donate 50% of our earnings on their projects as well. In time, this can become a steady, growing stream of free recurring funding for your nonprofit organization.
5. We will also encourage any of these referrals' referrals to match our donations, or give even more if they would like to as well. Most companies are looking for ways to offset taxes and they would often prefer to support a worthy entity like your own versus give more to the IRS than they have to. This program can benefit every participant involved.
6. Every 3 to 5 years our contracts renew and we get paid again when they do. Close to 100% of our clients renew their agreements with us and in many cases this can create a recurring endowment, a floodgate of these "Certainty Partner" donations, to your nonprofit for many years to come. The best part? No one has to find the funding in their budget.
Reach out to us today to learn how you can benefit from this proprietary program. We would be honored to help if we can.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Our Founder and CEO, Patrick Laing, was recently recognized at the prestigious CXO 2.0 conference in Las Vegas and received the Business Leadership Excellence Award. He was also invited to speak on a panel about Strategic Partnerships. Here's an interview they did with him while he was there: https://youtu.be/W2msEGxQRUI?si=bJDBGUYRhTjRQa3N
Honoring Service: A Veterans Day Reflection. This Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor the courageous men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a day to recognize their sacrifices, bravery, and unwavering dedication to our nation. As a veteran-owned profit consulting firm, we hold this day close to our hearts, as it reflects values that are foundational to both our team and our mission as a whole.
We're excited to announce that Patrick, our CEO, was recently asked to be a part of a book called Mission Matters, co-authored by popular podcaster, publisher, and entrepreneur, Adam Torres. Mission Matters is a series that focuses on CEOs whose businesses are making a difference. Not only was Patrick asked to contribute a chapter, a "lesson," to the upcoming Volume 8 of the series, but he was also invited to write the introduction and be on the cover together with Adam.
I've spoken previously about being invited to be a host on VoiceAmerica Business and how we have been preparing to launch our new channel, Finding Certainty, on August 12th. Well, this is the week. Just 3 more days and our first show will take place, with our flagship guest and colleague, Frank Helring of TheHubMart LLC. Frank is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader as well as the VoiceAmerica Business host of BiZZne$$ BuZZ who had me on the show, recommended I consider radio in the first place, and introduced me to VoiceAmerica General Manager and Executive Producer, Robert Ciolino. I thought it only appropriate to "return the favor," as it were, and have Frank as our very first honored guest. We both care deeply about empowering and strengthening small business, nonprofits, and communities in the process. I wanted to thank him for his mentorship and assistance, helping our channel come together, tell the story (on air) of how it came about, and talk about how we can--together--help lend a hand. It should be good.
You Deserve a Stress-Free Financial Life. Our Certainty Partner, Credit iQ, offers holistic solutions to your financial wellbeing - and they've been doing so for over 30 years. Often, the higher your credit score is (740 - 770 ideally), your buying power increases with faster approval times. Credit iQ is a credit restoration firm that can help you quickly obtain the credit scores you deserve. Book an appointment with them and mention Certainty Management when you do (see link below) a nd receive a comprehensive credit and financial fitness coaching overview as our gift. Pay just $50.00; the regular price is $300 and this includes your significant other's credit and financial plan as well. Also included, you will receive a copy of both of your full mortgage lender's credit reports with REAL SCORES, a soft inquiry (it will not drop your score). These are not the fake Credit Karma consumer scores. Get started today at https://calendly.com/creditiqorg/15min?month=2020-12. Here are some more helpful links: All The Tools We Can Offer All In One Financial Solution Experts Testimonials Video's of Actual Clients Credit Score Results Success Stories Credit Score Calculator. See how your FICO score affects home loans. How to Maximize Your Credit Scores Quick education guide.
As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day this Monday, May 30th, I can't help but reflect on the mentors and heroes I've worked with and the priceless memories I've built with them throughout the years. I have so many examples, lessons, experiences, and more to draw from. I'm the man that I am because of them and their guidance and I'm grateful for all they've shared. I wanted to recognize a few of them as my Memorial Day gift (to them and to our team). These are the men and boys who are molding me into the father, husband, brother, and business owner I am today. I hope to have the same impact on my own kids, friends, and colleagues that they have had on me.
Another organization we are working to try to raise funds for and are big fans of is "Bridal Up Hope - The Rachel Covey Foundation," started by Sean Covey, son of well known "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" author, Stephen R. Covey, and his wife, Rebecca. The nonprofit was started in memory of their daughter, Rachel, who unfortunately lost her life on Sept. 6th, 2012. The foundation helps young women dealing with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and more to improve. They provide equestrian therapy that incorporates the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, teaching girls how to incorporate the seven (7) principles into the girls' work with the horses and also in their personal lives. The following paragraphs from their website are a good summary of their work: Ride Learn the foundations of horsemanship through 14 private lessons with a mentoring instructor. Research shows that riding and connecting with horses leads to significant physical, emotional, and psychological benefits for participants.¹ Learn Develop critical life skills through The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People— principles which are integrated in horse riding, art, and yoga lessons at the barn. Research shows that The 7 Habits are powerful tools to teach problem solving, positive peer interactions, self-leadership, and whole-person wellness.² Serve Build work ethic, friendships, and perspective through service at the barn. Research shows that building social connections in a safe place is one of the strongest protections against self-harm.³
Through our fundraising work, we meet a lot of great nonprofits ... organizations that are truly making a difference in the lives of so many. One of our favorites is Shriners Hospital and the work they're doing to help children in need of burn care, prosthetic work, ambulatory therapy, and much, much more. We're honored to call them our friends and to see the extraordinary work they do. We hope you'll do what you can to support them. They need all the help that they can get.
Patrick Laing, Certainty Management Managing Partner, was interviewed on BizznessBuzz.com, one of the Voice America radio business shows, today, May 25th 2022, about the work Certainty is doing to help businesses lower their costs and nonprofits increase their funding. They talked about how small business, especially, is in desperate need of help, how the traditional fundraising model is largely broken, and Certainty has a solution (and not just a fix but a model that many others could pattern their own efforts after). It's about reciprocity between for-profit and nonprofit entities, about working together in a mutually-beneficial way. It was an enjoyable and a worthwhile conversation. Click here to listen to the conversation if you'd like.
At Certainty, we get invited to a number of nonprofit fundraising galas each year. They're an important part of the fundraising process and we feel honored to attend and participate in such events. While our zero-cost fundraising approach can add significant value to our nonprofit partners' ongoing efforts, and we do believe it's an easier, even more sustainable, approach to fundraising ... we're just one piece of the total pie, a compliment to so many selfless, life changing, and even life-saving efforts. These pics from the Operation Underground Railroad gala held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel, California on May 6th, 2022, are a good example of these types of events. Every little bit helps and this was one of the most impressive events we've seen. We appreciated being invited.
