Thank you fo the San Diego Business & Nonprofit Crisis Support Network for aggregating resources for local organizations. Their spotlight video highlighted DonationMatch Co-founder Renee Zau, who is offering pro bono services of up to an hour per organization (business or nonprofit) to assist with in-kind (unpaid) marketing strategy and fundraising event coaching as we adjust and recover from COVID-19. To apply, use the link in the Free Consultants and Coaches section of the San Diego Business & Nonprofit Crisis Support Network website.
Nonprofit Spotlight - Scleroderma Foundation, Greater San Diego Chapter
By Juliet Davenport, Nonprofit Ambassador at DonationMatch
This week we are excited to spotlight the Scleroderma Foundation, Greater San Diego Chapter!
Scleroderma is a group of rare, progressive diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues — the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body. The purpose of the Foundation's San Diego Chapter is to "support the National Foundation's mission of Support, Education and Research." They hold a variety of events, from support and education meetings to walks and social events.
Here's a peek at their planning process from Kelly Davidson, Executive Director, and Cyndy Martin, Treasurer and Walk Co-Chair:
What kinds of events does your organization hold each year?
Cyndy: Walk-a-thon fundraiser, free Patient Education Day, Ice Cream Social, Holiday Party with raffle, monthly support group meetings, bi-monthly chapter meetings. This year we plan to add a Padres Day fundraiser and a golf tournament.
What are your biggest fundraising event planning challenges?
Cyndy: Publicity! Getting more people to attend.
What are your most highly attended events?
Kelly: The Walk is by far the most highly attended event. The 2nd most highly attended is an annual patient education day where we typically schedule 3 to 4 expert physicians who speak specifically about scleroderma related symptoms and treatments.
How do you make your Walk-a-thon unique?
Kelly: We try to make it a Family Fun Day, and not just a 5K Walk. The location is somewhat unique in that it's right by the water on beautiful Shelter Island. We try to have something for everyone - massage chairs, music, classic car displays, and a kid zone with face painting, bounce house, obstacle course and craft booth. We try to make it educational, so we invite other autoimmune disease organizations. And, we entice folks to stay around for our raffle fundraiser by providing a food truck with healthy options.
Which events raise the most money, and which help you raise awareness the best?
Kelly: The Walk definitely helps raise the most money and also gives us the most awareness. Our core members reach out to their extended friends and family to request donations and attendance at the walk. In addition, posts about the walk get more attention than any others on Facebook. It generates excitement and is something folks like to share.
What ideas and support has the national organization given you?
Kelly: Our National organization provides our fundraising site which enables everyone to have one common focus for fundraising, yet allows for personal fundraising pages. They set up the basic structure and auto-responders which are then customized by us at the chapter level. They also conduct an Annual Patient Conference each year and hold a leadership day where chapter leaders can share and learn from each other.
Do you have a favorite story of how your organization helped someone?
Cyndy: My favorite story is my own! I was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2010. I quickly experienced the 'Sclero-What?' syndrome of no one, not even many doctors, kn[owing] what it was. It was through the Scleroderma Foundation that I learned all about my disease, treatment options my doctors were not offering me, and met others coping and living well with the disease. In 2012 my disease became very aggressive and life threatening. Again, it was through the Foundation's education day, patient conference, and my new friends that I learned about clinical trials for stem cell transplants for scleroderma. In November 2012 I underwent a stem cell transplant that I believe saved me from becoming terminal. I now enjoy helping others on this path.
What is your favorite dessert?
Cyndy: Lemon Meringue Pie!
Kelly: Chocolate creme brulee!
Thank you both for all the good work you do, and good luck at your Walkathon on June 23rd!
Click here to learn more about the Scleroderma Foundation, Greater San Diego Chapter.
TWO Chances to Meet DonationMatch in Person this Weekend!
By Renee Zau, Co-founder, DonationMatch We've been fortunate enough to be invited to share DonationMatch at two exciting events this weekend in San Diego - Women 2.0's Founder Friday and TEDxAmericasFinestCity!
Here's the scoop, and it's not too late to RSVP. We'd love to meet you!
Women 2.0 Founder Friday San Diego Friday, July 13th from 6-9pm Sponsored by Procopio Details and RSVP to attend: http://founderfridaysd071312.eventbrite.com/
Founder Friday is a Women 2.0 monthly networking event organized in partnership with like-minded organizations and individuals. Open to aspiring and current entrepreneurs, technologists and investors, it is free to those who attend (this is an open event for females and males) to network and connect. Please note that you must be 21 or older to attend this Founder Friday. They'll be checking IDs at the door, so come prepared!
TEDxAmericasFinestCity Saturday, July 14th from 11am-9pm Details and Tickets: http://tedxamericasfinestcity.com/tickets
TEDxAFC brings the spirit of the TED-like conference to the people of San Diego, California. The intellectual stimulation of a TED talk combined with the experiential engagement of a interactive-carnival. TEDxAFC will be your opportunity to see what is really going on around us as we explore (RE)united ideas from speakers around our community. With so many inspirational things happening in San Diego it is hard to see it all at once… until now.
The Demo Lounge where DonationMatch is exhibiting will be open from 10:30am-1pm and 3-4pm.
We hope you can come say hi to us here in San Diego, and thanks for all your participation and support. We are very excited about where DonationMatch is headed, how much more we can do for our members, and seeing you grow with us!
- Renee & Darryl, Co-founders
In-Kind Partnerships with Nonprofits, Part 2
By Renee Zau, Co-founder, DonationMatch My last post on this topic focused on opportunities tied to nonprofit events. Although these typically offer the most immediate exposure, they are often seasonal. Here are some ideas for in-kind charitable partnerships year-round:
- Be a venue for gatherings. You don't have to be a hotel or restaurant to have a desirable place. Spa Gregorie's Del Mar offers a board room for small get-togethers and meetings. Curves women's fitness centers often host meetings for Chambers of Commerce, Zumba fundraisers, and members' clubs. The Microsoft Store has raised the retail bar for community outreach with store space and free group trainings. Invite a nonprofit over and show them you're friendly!
- Give tools and support. PopChips started snacking habits in offices all over town with case giveaways. Microsoft Store free trainings make sure their software is used well. DonationMatch co-hosted a fundraising auction workshop with Red Apple Auctions to help nonprofits run better fundraising events. Though not "flashy," free assistance can put you at the top of a nonprofit's go-to list.
- Offer services or samples for a donation. By cross-promoting with nonprofits, Aveda sets up their store, complete with signage, to give mini treatments in exchange for a 100% charitable donation.
- A portion of sales helps, too.Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes advertises FunRaisers that donate 15% of related receipts on given nights to nonprofit groups. Macy's gives $1 for every stamped letter to Santa deposited in special letter boxes in their stores to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Even if you can't give something outright, a percentage can be enough.
- Offer your expertise. Nonprofits small and large are always looking for specific professional talent in their volunteers. It's become so popular that websites like CatchaFire and VolunteerMatch (not affiliated with DonationMatch) were created to make better volunteer connections.
- Not a lot of time? Even simply recognizing synergy within your own circles of friends and making introductions can lead to phenomenal results.
What are your success stories? Please share about the positive impact that charitable partnering has made on your business!
Related articles
- In-kind Partnerships With Nonprofits, Part I (donationmatch.wordpress.com)