It can instantly transform a letter from being a dry, one sided speech to being a dialogue between you and the reader.  Isn’t that what a letter is supposed to be anyway?

This is one of ten tips that Kivi Leroux Miller presented last week in her webinar “10 Captivating Ways to Start Fundraising Letters, Newsletter Articles, Press Releases, and More.” Seeing really is believing when it comes to the differences that some of these small changes can make.  On the webinar Kivi showed before and after examples for all of the tips.

Here’s a comparison of two versions of a paragraph about child sponsorship that I found from World Vision:

Plain text:

With a completed sponsorship, more information will immediately be sent about the sponsored child.  We will also mail the child’s photo, and more about his or her life, including information about the child’s country and ways to communicate with him or her.

With the power of YOU (actual text, emphasis added):

After completing your sponsorship, you will immediately receive more information about your new sponsored child. We will also mail you the child’s photo, and more about his or her life, including information about the child’s country and ways you can communicate with him or her.

The first example is in the passive voice.  Even though it directs signing up for the sponsorship program toward the reader, without the personal pronouns it just lacks that element of real conversation.  After all you wouldn’t speak that way to someone would you? Adding the power of you transforms the paragraph into something much more engaging.

This is just one of the ten strategies that Kivi discussed on her webinar. Even if you did not make the live event you can see the recorded replay with the all access pass. There are quite a few other great topics lined up for the coming weeks including more on writing, publicity and even web communications.

I’ll be writing about Blog World over at CauseBlogger.com, a site that I recently started to help non-profit organizations and cause enthusiasts learn how to blog and make the most of the web.  I’ll also be at a conference in Dallas next Wednesday speaking about online fundraising and communiations for non-profits.  I’ve already picked up several tips to add to my talk next week.

Visit CauseBlogger.com to find out more about my Blog World experience!

Even if you eventually hire a consultant or purchase training material, these resources will provide a good introduction to the basic terminology and concepts of grant funding. I’m sure there’s plenty of tips for experienced grant seekers too!

(Links will open in a new window)

1. Proposal Outline This outline describes the seven basic components for a grant proposal. From the Resource Development Initiative, a collaboration of the United Way of Palm Beach County and Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County.

2. Grantseeking Basics The four steps in the grant writing process. Provided by the Minnesota Council on Foundations, based on their popular and time-tested grantseeking courses and materials.

3. The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox. Published by Carroll & Graf Publishers in 2003, you can read the book in its entirety through Google Books preview.

4. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing by Waddy Thompson. The printed version of this book (available for purchase online and off) includes a CD. You can preview and read the entire text through Google Books.

5. Don Griesmann’s Grant Opportunities a frequently updated list of grants, delivered by email or online and hosted by CharityChannel.

6. Proposal Writing Basics A free 60 minute class that provides an introduction to the grant process for new proposal writers. Available in Atlanta, Cleveland New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

7. Proposal Budgeting Basics This free class covers an essential component of any grant proposal, the budget. Available in Atlanta, Cleveland New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

8. Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy A free online course offered by The Foundation Center. This course is intended for anyone who wants to know more about foundations, their giving, and their role in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.

9. Getting Ready for Foundation Fundraising A free online course offered by The Foundation Center. Covers the organizational elements for non profits who intend to apply from grants from foundations.

10. Introduction to Fundraising Planning Another free online course offered by The Foundation Center. Provides an overview of the process of strategically thinking through the components of a fundraising plan, which would include grants and other sources.

11. Black Sheep Fundraising: Rethinking Major Gifts for Your Stigmatized Nonprofit by Jay Mendell. The author offers a free download of this book on his website. Jay S. Mendell is professor of nonprofit management at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches graduate courses in grantwriting and major gifts fundraising.

12. Anatomy of a Grant Proposal by Richard Lambert of The Idea Bank. This 15 page report based upon the author’s workshops, provides descriptions and tips for each of the key components of a grant proposal.

13. Advocacy Funding This 36 page guide discusses the strategies for funding advocacy, something that foundations may be cautious about, but that is crucial to the mission of many non profit organizations. This is one of several free reports provided by GrantCraft, a project of the Ford Foundation. The reports are designed for foundations not grantees, but may offer insight into the perspective of funders.

14. Non-profit Guides are free Web-based grant-writing tools for non-profit organizations, charitable, educational, public organizations, and other community-minded groups.

15. A to Z Grantwriting In this free monthly newsletter professional grantwriter and grantwriting instructor Linda Vallejo includes many new grant opportunities, listed by category.

16. Sample Proposals View sample foundation and federal grant proposals from consulting firm, Colorado Grants.

17. Free Guide to Plain English If your proposal is too wordy or jargon filled it might not get read. Make sure your grant proposal is written in plain English with this free chapter of the book Editing and Proofreading by Tim North of Scribe Consulting.

18. The Secrets of Their Success This free 9 page report from the Grantmanship Center includes 7 pointers from experienced grantseekers. Learn from those who have “been there done that!”

19. US Census Data includes information needed for grant proposals and community needs assessment. The Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Tool Kit has organized data that may be useful to non profits. There are other resources that can be accessed from the US Census Bureau home page.

20. Grant Proposal Checklist Print out this three page checklist to be sure that your proposal has all the needed information. Provided as a free resource from Grant Writers Online.

Do you know of any other high-quality free grant resources? Post a comment below.

This post is part of the Grant Writing article series:

1. 8 Keys to Grant Strategy Success by Robert P. Stewart
2. 20 Free Grant Writing Resources for Non-Profits by Sandra Sims
3. Building Relationships with Foundations by Sandy Rees
4. Secrets From A Grant Reviewer by Katie Krueger

The LIVE call in show will be this Wednesday, July 30th at 11:00 CST.  If you don’t get a chance to call in I bet they will be publishing the audio recording later.  The great thing about being on the live call though is that you can ask questions, just like on talk radio.

Call toll free, U.S. & Canada: 877.474.3302
Toll free outside U.S. and Canada: 858.678.8958
Email your questions in advance to: radio@ama.org

You can listen to this and other archived radio shows Marketing News Radio Website.

This discrepancy can be caused by funding issues or lack of technical support. Often for small non profits, it’s the computer support that’s an issue since they don’t have a full time IT department or even one “computer person”.

Let’s take a look at why it’s so important to keep computer equipment current and some practical tips to accomplish this.

Why It’s So Important

Computers, online communications and software systems are standard not only in the business world, but also in our daily lives. Non profits are not exempt from the necessity of utilizing these technologies.

Here are just a few of the positive and negative scenarios:

• Computers without up to date virus protection, anti-spyware and/or firewalls could compromise data about your financials, clients or supporters.
• Out of date or inefficient use of mailing list software could mean that supporters get duplicate mail pieces or none at all. This could cause a serious disruption in your relationship with supporters.
• Even one day without the ability to use your computer or access the internet could set you back, cause you to miss a grant application deadline for example or miss important emails from stake holders.
• A non profit organization whose staff is up to date with computer technology gets administrative tasks done more quickly and efficiently, leaving more time for service delivery.
• Email is an inexpensive way to communicate with your constituents. When it’s implemented properly it can be an effective relationship building tool.
• Organizations without a strong internet presence could be missing out on publicity, potential donors and other partners. In the January newsletter from Mal Warwick Associates Sue Woodward describes the The Rising Impact of Online Communications as it applies to non profit organizations.

Keeping Computers and Other Equipment Current

Of course it all starts with having up to date computer hardware. Review computer equipment at least twice per year and determine which needs are most critical and then plan accordingly.

Luckily the prices of hardware have come down dramatically in the past few years. For example an all in one color fax/printer/copier can be purchased for around $100. By planning ahead you can also make obtaining new equipment less stressful financially.

• Include computer upgrades in budgeting process
• Apply for a grant specifically for new computers or other equipment. In the application emphasize how this new equipment will help you further your mission.
• Work with business partners in the local area. Ask for donations of new/refurbished equipment.
• Purchase equipment from discount retailers or online at TigerDirect.com
• Consult with a local vendor to periodically review computers for important software updates

Keeping Software Up to Date

Computers are just the tools to get your work done right? So having up to date software will help you get the job done more quickly, efficiently and more professionally.

• Keep computers safe by having up to date anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
• If your office connects to the internet via DSL or cable talk to your internet service provider to make sure a firewall is included.
• Keep your content management system for keeping track of donors & other mailing list entries up to date. Have a standard procedure about how new entries are added. When a mailing needs to go out always use the database, never a duplicate copy saved from the past since the information could be out of date.
• In most cases it’s best to update software each time a new version is available. If you are unsure about the new version, most companies will offer a free trial version first.
• TechSoup provides unbiased reviews of software and technology advice specifically for non profits. When you sign up for their newsletters and/or RSS feeds you’ll also find out when they have special discount offers for various software packages.

Keep Job Skills Fresh and Up to Date

The newest computers and best software will do no good if you don’t know how to use them! Your personnel and/or volunteers need to keep computer skills up to date so that you can run your operations professionally and efficiently.

• For many situations on the job training is a good approach.
• Often community colleges offer inexpensive training courses on computer basics, software and even website building.
• Surely you’ve seen the Video Professor Advertisement on TV! They offer CDs and online training too.
• TrainingCenter.com offers free and inexpensive online courses

In conclusion, review computer equipment, software and training needs periodically to make sure you are up to date. Technology is here to stay, and thank heaven for that. These tools can truly make your non profit organization better equipped to fulfil its mission to the people you serve.

She will guide you through evaluating the current situation at your non profit organization, what questions to ask yourself, how to set strategies, goals, and objectives, how to create an action plan, and follow through on the plan.

This kind of planning is actually much simpler than you might think and can really push you forward toward raising the dollars you need!

To learn more about this class visit Sandy’s website. The fee for the class is just $19 and you can register online. You can also see the other classes that she has planned for the near future.

Take Your Golf Tournament To The Next Level
How to Hold A Successful Fundraising Tournament
Thursday, January 31, 2008
1:00 PM, US Eastern Time
Duration: 50 - 65 minutes

For more information visit Affinity Fundraising Seminars

The first 20 registrants for this seminar will receive a FREE copy of Forces For Good (courtesy of Jossey-Bass). Others will receive a discount code for 15% off the purchase of the book.

Fundraising & The 6 Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits
A Conversation With Heather McLeod Grant
Thursday, January 10, 2008
1:00 PM, US Eastern Time
Duration: 60 - 75 minutes (depending on length of Q&A)

For more information visit Affinity Fundraising Seminars

“Global problems like abject poverty and climate change require innovative, scaleable solutions. We have so much to learn from the six practices in Forces for Good because they are what lead to wide scale social change.”

~ Larry Brilliant, Google.org Executive Director

This webinar is held on Tuesday, November 6th at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The cost is $150 per site to attend. To register or for more information, visit Grassroots Fundraising.

This webinar is held on Monday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The cost is $150 per site to attend. To register or for more information, visit Grassroots Fundraising.