When I was working in the digital media/web space years ago, we had a saying that you could spot how dysfunctional an organization was by looking at its website. Sadly, that statement remains true today. There was a wonderful article about this written by Ilma Ibrisevic on the Donorbox blog, and it highlights a number of important points about websites vis-a-vis donors.
I hear you, but I respectfully disagree. A website is essential for just about any and every organization, and one can be made (I've done it myself) for a very, very small cost. Right now, you can get a WordPress site up and running for $100/year, including the cost of the domain. SquareSpace sites start at $200/year, also including the domain. Sorry you feel that this is a first-world issue!
Hmmm. Lisa, I think this one is a little "first-world" as issues go. Over-soliciting is the #1 reason why people don't renew a donation (47%, according to a Yale study). And an unsolicited, large (or just prominent) "Donate Now" on the website is a message that while your nonprofit might do good work, it comes off as "we only care about your money).
Also, many grass roots companies simply can't afford anything more than what they're showing online, which means they only have some free designer trying their best. These are the kinds of issues that probably only apply to large, monied (mostly white) organizations, which, as I see it, is also a DEI red flag.
There are answers and workarounds, such as a separate URL that sends a donor straight to a donor page (that a development officer can give them as a "behind the scenes" perk). You know how much I appreciate your POV. I think you're the best writer on donor issues. Just be careful that donors don't supersede the work, I guess.
Thanks Lisa, this is great and so helpful. My self and friends in my home country set up a non profit. I just realized that its been 10 years. We have consistently been able to get money from friends and family over the years. I recently started thinking about how to expand, and honestly some of the points you mention here, I was discussing yesterday. Maybe because I am a donor myself, and often pressed for time, things that are not quick and smooth don’t work for me. I realized we have to set up a easy donation button on our website. Make sure people can do reoccurring donations. More importantly, I had been thinking (and you have confirmed this) that we need to improve our website before putting any plug ins on it. Thank you for all you do and your book. Carole Blueweiss’s podcast lead me to the book. I am so grateful to have a roadmap to growing my non profit. Question I have, do you know any websites that give people options to donate from a DAF? I am looking for something to model mine after. Thank you!
Though I would not describe my organization as dysfunctional, we have impacted a lot of lives over the years. We have just always prioritized our recipients over operations. But leveling up is the next step.
I hear you, but I respectfully disagree. A website is essential for just about any and every organization, and one can be made (I've done it myself) for a very, very small cost. Right now, you can get a WordPress site up and running for $100/year, including the cost of the domain. SquareSpace sites start at $200/year, also including the domain. Sorry you feel that this is a first-world issue!
Hmmm. Lisa, I think this one is a little "first-world" as issues go. Over-soliciting is the #1 reason why people don't renew a donation (47%, according to a Yale study). And an unsolicited, large (or just prominent) "Donate Now" on the website is a message that while your nonprofit might do good work, it comes off as "we only care about your money).
Also, many grass roots companies simply can't afford anything more than what they're showing online, which means they only have some free designer trying their best. These are the kinds of issues that probably only apply to large, monied (mostly white) organizations, which, as I see it, is also a DEI red flag.
There are answers and workarounds, such as a separate URL that sends a donor straight to a donor page (that a development officer can give them as a "behind the scenes" perk). You know how much I appreciate your POV. I think you're the best writer on donor issues. Just be careful that donors don't supersede the work, I guess.
Thanks Lisa, this is great and so helpful. My self and friends in my home country set up a non profit. I just realized that its been 10 years. We have consistently been able to get money from friends and family over the years. I recently started thinking about how to expand, and honestly some of the points you mention here, I was discussing yesterday. Maybe because I am a donor myself, and often pressed for time, things that are not quick and smooth don’t work for me. I realized we have to set up a easy donation button on our website. Make sure people can do reoccurring donations. More importantly, I had been thinking (and you have confirmed this) that we need to improve our website before putting any plug ins on it. Thank you for all you do and your book. Carole Blueweiss’s podcast lead me to the book. I am so grateful to have a roadmap to growing my non profit. Question I have, do you know any websites that give people options to donate from a DAF? I am looking for something to model mine after. Thank you!
Though I would not describe my organization as dysfunctional, we have impacted a lot of lives over the years. We have just always prioritized our recipients over operations. But leveling up is the next step.