Today, I had the pleasure of attending a breakfast, hosted by Cenovus, to launch their new Community Investment strategy. Cenovus is an oil company, headquartered here in Calgary, that came in to existence almost 14 months ago as a result of Encana splitting their oil and gas divisions in to 2 different companies. Today, Cenovus has about 3,000 employees.
At this event, Cenovus announced that the first year of their employee thanks & giving campaign raised $1.7 million, including the matching gifts from the company - a huge contribution that all employees should be proud of! Cenovus also outlined their new community investment policy, which will focus on learning, safety & well-being and sustainable communities.
Following this presentation from Cenovus, there were 2 speakers, both of whom have conducted extensive research around charitable giving and nonprofits.
The first, Jocelyn Daw, is all about non-profit branding and shared the message from her new book Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding. Jocelyn encourages organizations to build brands that go beyond logos and colours, and get to a focus on trust, commitment and value. Instead of focusing on ones own organization, focus on the brand and the promise - whether that's feeding the hungry, saving animals or curing disease. Put that promise at the centre of conversations and decisions, and the message becomes much more powerful and effective. Further, Jocelyn encourages organizations to look at partnerships (with corporations, foundations, etc.) as opportunities to meet the needs of both parties. There were some great ideas from Jocelyn, and luckily, Cenovus provided a copy of her new book to each organization there, so I look forward to reading and learning more!
Secondly, Jason Saul presented on ideas from his book (due out in March) - The End of Fundraising. Of course, from the title, you can likely tell that Jason's ideas are controversial for many organizations, but one that struck me as being quite innovative. He suggests that organizations determine who they are creating value for, and which of those groups has the ability to pay for that value. If implemented properly, this strategy shouldn't abandon or negate traditional donors - those who's primary goal is to make the world better or to create a "good feeling". It does encourage organizations to look at the potential natural partners (Jason calls them impact buyers), and to put data and information before those partners that will prove the value for both parties.
Jason finished with a seven point summary, one of which was to focus on building partnerships based on their value, not the cost. Focus on what it's worth, both monetarily and otherwise, to both sides - not just on the cost of the program. The business language throughout Jason's presentation might be tough for some organizations, but the message - focusing on outcomes and building effective partnerships - couldn't be more important. I look forward to digging more into Jason's book when it's released.
So often, non-profits get lost in themselves, spending so much time focused inward & on their own programs that they forget what that means and why it's important to potential partners. How much stronger we could be, and could build our communities and do our work, if we looked for ways to make it relevant and understandable for potential partners!
Who is your non-profit talking to?
Huge thanks to Cenovus for hosting this event, and for all that you are doing to contribute to the strength and health of our community!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Vulnerability
Can I just say that TED is awesome?
This week, I saw this fantastic TED talk by Brene Brown. Brene talks about vulnerability, and about what can and can not be quantified and counted.
Brene's discussion of the idea that, in order to feel deeply in good ways we must also be vulnerable enough to feel deeply in bad ways, was brilliant - and a great reminder of why all those bad feelings can be so worth it.
Perhaps the same can be said for organizations? That in order for an organization to enjoy the incredible highs they must also experience deep vulnerability and deep lows?
This week, I saw this fantastic TED talk by Brene Brown. Brene talks about vulnerability, and about what can and can not be quantified and counted.
Brene's discussion of the idea that, in order to feel deeply in good ways we must also be vulnerable enough to feel deeply in bad ways, was brilliant - and a great reminder of why all those bad feelings can be so worth it.
Perhaps the same can be said for organizations? That in order for an organization to enjoy the incredible highs they must also experience deep vulnerability and deep lows?
Monday, January 17, 2011
"Sorry"
Definition of sorry: Feeling or expressing sympathy, pity, or regret
Saying “sorry” – a real, heartfelt sorry, not the casual, mumbled version uttered after bumping in to someone – isn’t easy. Not only is it an admission that something has gone wrong or an error been made; saying “sorry” also means taking responsibility for the issue and, hopefully, working to fix it.
“Sorry” is also one of the most powerful words that can be offered in a relationship. It is a bridge to fixing the problem and rebuilding trust.
At an organizational level, saying “sorry” – in a personal, meaningful way – has the same power. Mistakes that affect donors happen, and that can be understood – donors know that everyone makes mistakes, including the charities that they love. The quickest way forward is with a sincere “sorry”, followed by an attempt to solve the problem and beginning to rebuild trust.
In fact, I would venture to guess that the strongest, most loyal donors are those who have been involved in a mistake made by an organization. Handled appropriately, these mistakes show the true character, honesty and integrity of an organization – and that can only be a good thing. Almost enough to make you hope a mistake will be made!
“Sorry” isn’t easy – but it is worth it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Language Paints a Picture
Friendship
Sticky sweet
Velvety smooth
Violently lashing out
Words have power. The right words, puzzled together in sequence, have the power to paint a picture, create a feeling or leave a taste. Words have been used to start wars and end wars, to create new countries and end centuries-old traditions. They can change situations, emotions and circumstances. If we let them, words can change us.
Why, then, do we so often take away their power in favour of political correctness, or trying to please or placate so many different people? All to often, in organizations that do the critically important work of helping hurting, lost people change their lives, words are chosen for their inoffensive, all-inclusive qualities.
Replacing powerful words with meaningless, non-committal phrases only weakens the potential power and influence that our message can carry.
And this is a problem - if your words can't carry the message of incredible need or passion or opportunity or desire... what will?
Sticky sweet
Velvety smooth
Violently lashing out
Words have power. The right words, puzzled together in sequence, have the power to paint a picture, create a feeling or leave a taste. Words have been used to start wars and end wars, to create new countries and end centuries-old traditions. They can change situations, emotions and circumstances. If we let them, words can change us.
Why, then, do we so often take away their power in favour of political correctness, or trying to please or placate so many different people? All to often, in organizations that do the critically important work of helping hurting, lost people change their lives, words are chosen for their inoffensive, all-inclusive qualities.
Replacing powerful words with meaningless, non-committal phrases only weakens the potential power and influence that our message can carry.
And this is a problem - if your words can't carry the message of incredible need or passion or opportunity or desire... what will?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Why giving matters
I'm a fundraiser, and this is a blog that will be all about fundraising. And so, for my first post, I had planned this long post about why fundraising matters; why it's changing the world, empowering people, building social agencies and making the world a better place.
And then I realized...
Fundraising doesn't matter. Fundraising is a tool, a delivery method. It is a way to connect people who want to give help to people and issues that need help.
What really matters is that people in a community rise up in support of issues and challenges that matter - research to cure or prevent diseases, care for kids and families that benefit, looking after our environment. What really matters is that each of us chooses to step up and, in our own way, say "I will be part of this solution. I can do something about this". In this way, our society is built up, strengthened; empowered to change itself.
Fundraising is one way to facilitate the generous support of individuals and groups for one another. As a medium of delivery, I believe fundraising is an incredibly powerful tool. It is not the only one, but done well (by empowering and building up donors and connecting people directly to the issues they are addressing) it is among the best.
And that is why I believe giving matters. That is what I will be blogging about - exploring, speculating, digging in to - in this space. Half of this blog is my perspective - that of a nonprofit professional, living in Calgary, born as part of the millennial generation. The other half is from everywhere else - your comments and ideas, other blogs and books, and many many conversations.
Join me?
And then I realized...
Fundraising doesn't matter. Fundraising is a tool, a delivery method. It is a way to connect people who want to give help to people and issues that need help.
What really matters is that people in a community rise up in support of issues and challenges that matter - research to cure or prevent diseases, care for kids and families that benefit, looking after our environment. What really matters is that each of us chooses to step up and, in our own way, say "I will be part of this solution. I can do something about this". In this way, our society is built up, strengthened; empowered to change itself.
Fundraising is one way to facilitate the generous support of individuals and groups for one another. As a medium of delivery, I believe fundraising is an incredibly powerful tool. It is not the only one, but done well (by empowering and building up donors and connecting people directly to the issues they are addressing) it is among the best.
And that is why I believe giving matters. That is what I will be blogging about - exploring, speculating, digging in to - in this space. Half of this blog is my perspective - that of a nonprofit professional, living in Calgary, born as part of the millennial generation. The other half is from everywhere else - your comments and ideas, other blogs and books, and many many conversations.
Join me?
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