Three Online Donation Support Sites

            Some non-profit organizations (NPOs) can use various online resources to receive donations.  These services can be helpful for organizations with websites, or those without a website.   Some of these sites are:

• Firstgiving.com
• Chipin.com; and,
• Paypal.com.

Each of these websites provides a resource that can be very helpful as NPOs develop their specific fundraising platform.  The main thing that should be considered is which service would provide the NPO with the best means to receive funds.

Donations and Fundraising

NPOs rely on the generosity of donors and fundraising projects, therefore, it is necessary to reflect upon the user-friendly nature of any particular service you plan to use to generate funds.  Is the service easy to use?  Does it allow donors to receive an automatic acknowledgement?  Does it permit donors to pay the fee associated with their online donation?  Can the funds be easily transferred into the organization’s bank account?  Each of the funding services can be helpful; however, NPOs should become familiar with each site to comprehend their usefulness.

Firstgiving.com:  Firstgiving.com is a useful resource for NPOs.  Individuals or NPOs can create a fundraising page for any registered non-profit.  Registered NPOs are recognized via Guidestar.org, and serves as a means in which individuals can research the reliability of an organization.  Once an organization has become a 501(c)3, the designated individual within the organization should send the IRS information to Guidestar.org, and within a few days, they will listed.  This information is shared with organizations, such as Firstgiving.com, which then proceeds to list the NPO in its database of organizations.  As donations are made to the NPO via Firstgiving.com page, funds are collected (minus their service fee), and monthly checks are mailed to the NPO.

           

Chipin.com:  Chipin.com is similar to Firstgiving.com; however, it does not have the in-depth donor management application as Firstgiving.  In my opinion, Firstgiving.com allows organizations to manage the fundraising process a lot better than Chipin.com; however, Chipin.com is good for organizations who are starting and are not quite ready to become a 501(c) 3.  It has many of the bells and whistles, such as a fundraising bar., which can be very helpful to ascertain the percentage of donations collected.

Paypal.com: Many people have heard of Paypal.com.  Paypal can be another helpful option, and it is easy to start.  One of the benefits of Paypal.com is that donations can be received and transferred into the NPO’s bank account; however, many of the fundraising tools are not available on their platform.

Each of the above-mentioned resources can help NPOs collect donations via credit cards, debit cards, or through their bank accounts (Paypal.com).  There is a small fee in some cases, yet it is worth considering as a form of online fundraising tool.


More to come in the upcoming book this Spring!

Self-publishing Companies: Blurb or Lulu?

For the past few weeks I have been working on a book to help others start their own non-profit (NPO).  This is largely in part due to the seminars I have provided over the past two years.  Key ideas to help those interested in forming an NPO will be posted in this blog soon; however, one of the things I have found interesting is the self-publishing process.  Including two publishing companies.  


In the process, I found two great sites that are pretty interesting.  Blurb.com's format is definitely easy to follow, and their software is fairly good.  I like that they permit the author to sell the book on their site, and purchase books as you need them.  Furthermore, the design has a somewhat contemporary appeal that I like.

Lulu.com is similar in some capacity.  It also permits you to sell on Amazon.com; however, conduct a search about that first on Youtube.com.  I found some interesting videos regarding that process.  To sell on Amazon, you just need to have an ISBN number.  Both Lulu and Blurb provides information on how that can be done.  Either way, I found both sites interesting, and worth visiting if you are interested in publishing a book.

A new idea for those interested in starting a non-profit

As the new year begins, some people may consider the possibility of starting a non-profit to service the needs of others; however, they may not know where to begin.

Well here is a tip:  Check out 501c3experts.com.  

Reach out them to learn more They have been helpful to me in the past, and they may be of service to you.

Go forth and be a service to others!

The Return to the Blog, A Return to the Journey

So, it has been sometime since I have posted a blog.  Actually it has been almost three years.  I have to admit, it has been challenging trying to wear many hats, including a blog poster; however, I have been proud of many of the things that has taken place during that time, and the growth I have made during that time.  I look at the past few years as the period of the beautiful maze, similarly to the book maze I photographed in Rio de Janeiro on one of my past trips (on the right).  Although a maze can be a huge challenge, once a person completes it, the person appreciates the journey.


Some of my past  activities can be viewed on the website, Facebook, and Twitter (all of which are accessible via the web page www.blessings4brazil.org).  This year, however, I have decided to revisit the blog and share some of what I have learned over the past few years.  Bi-weekly, I will try to blog about informative topics such as:

• How to start a non-profit?
• The joys and challenges of being a leader
• Recruitment 101:  Board Members
• Recruitment 102:  Volunteers
• Websites with great resources for non-profit organizations
• And more!

Meanwhile, I prepare to start a new maze in 2012.  Although I can not ensure that it will be as beautiful as the one above, I look forward to completing it.

Blessings!

Teacher Enrichment Program to provide Micro-level Grants

This fall Blessings for Brazil will be launching our new program - THE TEACHER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (TEP)/Programma de Auxilio ao Professor (PAP).

As of this fall, Brazilian teachers will be able to better reach the needs of their students with the support our

micro-level grant. This is a new approach towards micro-level support to meet educational needs within disenfranchised communities.

Our goal is to support three teachers in 2010 and reach at least 150 students through the TEP Grant.

To learn more, visit http://www.blessings4brazil.com/TEP.html

Celebration Time!!!

So I finally received the news.  I am so happy to announce that we are a 501(c)3.  It has not been an easy journey.  Nor a cheap one.  Yet, we are so blessed to have this new status.  We also know that it comes with a new level of responsibility.  However, no matter what, we do this for them.

Blessings for Brazil, Inc. has grown since my early days of sending packages to the school to help teachers with instructional supplies.  It just feels good to know that I have a purpose.  This year, I am blessed to have additional support and the effort of good people who support and volunteer with us.  You can join us and help.  There are many volunteer opportunities.  This includes Volunteer sales person to help sell our notecards.  Our notecards are only $1.

Come on support.

Fundraising 101: Have Ideas to help our newest fundraising project?

So now we are embarking on our first major fundraising project. There is a lot of faith needed to make this happen. GLIDING HIGH FOR THOSE BELOW is very different, but importantly it is a different time right now in the global economy. This is where my prayers and belief in God is going to be necessary. I welcome any ideas, suggest and of course, donations to make it happen. Visit www.blessings4brazil.com to learn more.

Week's Ratings:
Meeting Project Goals: 6 out 6 (Expanding our base. Now just need to get fundraising going)

Personal Life: 3 out of 6 (An improvement)

Need a Vacation: 4 out of 6 (Have made plans, so the need is not a high as the exciting feelings in the pit of my stomach).