Sargent Solutions Blog

The enduring power of learning

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:51:42 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: June 12, 2023

The enduring power of learning

Samara Caplan credits learning as a key inspiration in her donor stewardship role at Care Canada

No matter what part you play in a not-for-profit organization, it’s easy to see just how important learning is to every business area. It’s a simple formula: the more you know, the more effective you can be. That’s true whether you’re leveraging donor data to customize your communications, soliciting feedback from your community to create stronger programming, or auditing your systems to ensure they support the organization’s goals at an optimal level.

Samara Caplan, Manager of Donor Experience and Stewardship at CARE Canada, values learning on a personal level. “I am consistently learning and developing,” she says. “Not only within the work in my role and unit but in the work CARE does with our programming and long-term development.”

Based in Ottawa, Samara has been working with CARE Canada for nine years and, in that time, has contributed in diverse roles from marketing to fundraising and now in donor experience. Over this time, she’s seen firsthand the positive impact of an organization that is intentional about continuous improvement. “We are always making sure we can provide effective and efficient service to our donors,” says Samara. “We strive to strongly represent CARE's work and highlight the impact our donors are making. We prioritize having strong systems and processes in place to support the health, growth and development of our organization.”

Samara is excited about seeing what innovations and improvements will come from her unit’s current project to develop improved services and feedback mechanisms to support CARE Canada’s donors. Sargent is a proud partner with CARE Canada, improving some of the foundational pieces of its database system.

“Sargent has been able to support us in the transition out of key areas where we relied on manual efforts into clean automated processes,” says Samara. “They always set us up to be able to maintain any changes or new systems on our own, expanding our internal knowledge and capabilities.”

This focus on learning and knowledge forms the foundation of Samara’s sound counsel to anyone looking to grow in their role. “Don't be afraid to make mistakes,” advises Samara. “Every time you try something new, whether it is highly successful or falls flat, you learn from it. Each experience helps you to learn and become better. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is a wealth of knowledge in all areas around you. Learn from your colleagues and peers, and learn about the work your organization is doing. No matter how seasoned you get in your career, always ask questions, you never stop learning and developing.”

Want to learn how to improve the efficiency

of your organization?

We can help.

Community-focused fundraising after the pandemic

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:49:26 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: June 5, 2023

Heart and soul: Community-focused fundraising after the pandemic

How one fundraiser uses innovation, empathy and efficiency to further philanthropy

In this post-pandemic environment, fundraising professionals are finding their footing again. During a time of stress, loss and confusion, charities had to flex their creative and strategic muscles to mitigate or overcome the negative impact of Covid19 on fundraising and operational goals. Now, emerging stronger, many organizations are adopting important learnings from the nerve-shredding but confidence-building pivoting they did over the last few challenging years.

“I think we've changed things quite a bit because of the pandemic,” says Ron Hogue, Director of Development at Manitoba’s Victoria Hospital Foundation. “It forced us to be a little more introspective regarding our activities as they relate to our mission.”

In his role as Director of Development, Ron has a unique vantage point in understanding the impact the pandemic has had on the Hospital’s community. In fact, understanding and empathy are at the heart of the Foundation’s innovative new programs, which Ron sees as a welcome, community-centred approach to philanthropy.

“The fallout effects of the pandemic relate to community mental health,” says Ron. “There’s something that is sort of a hidden residue, if you like, of the pandemic within our communities.” Knowing this led to the Foundation’s initiatives to educate people that this fallout is a concern and will be for some time, and to create awareness of the Foundation’s initiatives to address those effects within the Hospital’s communities.

“One of the things that was realized by the team during the pandemic is that, out in our community, there are a lot of organizations that are aligned with our mission that were really faltering because of the pandemic,” says Ron. “And it shed light on some of the inadequacies of the resources within their organizations to deal with an environment like that.”

So, responding to this new knowledge, the Foundation started to provide grant money to organizations that align with the Hospital’s mission to support them in getting through the pandemic. One form this took was to provide technology grants to community organizations for new computers to support an increased level of digital operations, which ultimately meant they could serve more people. (Added support to these agencies came from Sargent Solutions in the area of database clean-up.) Ron says that, though his team has not yet been directly fundraising for the community grant program, feedback from Foundation donors has been supportive and very encouraging.

Another innovative area the Foundation is investigating is impact investing, which can feature multiple types of investments in companies. It’s a funding program with the intention of generating a positive social or environmental impact, while earning market or below-market rates of financial returns. Ron explains that this type of investing can take the form of guarantees that secure debt and increase access to capital for organizations.

“We're looking at things like social impact bonds, for example,” says Ron. “One of Manitoba's first was a social impact bond between our Foundation and the REHFIT Centre as it related to a program called Her Heart Her Way.” This heart health prevention program, for women age 30 and older at risk of heart disease, is now underway.

Ron’s career has been characterized by customer-focused innovation. Five years ago, after 30 years in the for-profit sector – in media, television and radio commercial sales – he made the decision to move out of that space, and was very intentional about finding a role in the not-for-profit space. Landing in healthcare turned out to be a great fit, allowing him to bring experience, efficiency and fresh engagement ideas to meaningful philanthropy.

Sargent had a hand in helping Ron create efficient operations to support his organization’s innovative approach. “Sargent Solutions has given us improved clarity with respect to our knowledge of our database and has strengthened our confidence,” says Ron. “The evaluation of our database - to separate the wheat from the chaff - has reduced our number of constituent records in half. This was on the strength of an analysis of what was valuable and what wasn't in terms of the data that was in there."

And, with characteristic precision and grace, Ron explains why that’s important. “I mean, we know we can trust it. We know that what's there is now important information. I think that has really been helpful - to have somebody walk us through that process.”

https://www.thevicfoundation.ca/

Thinking of taking a closer
look at your database integrity?

We can help.

Introducing: Data Empowerment Consulting Services

Thu, 18 May 2023 17:47:57 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: May 18, 2023

Introducing: Data Empowerment
Consulting Services

It's time to revolutionize the way you manage and utilize data.

Sargent Solutions believes in the power of data to transform your charity’s mission and create positive change. We want to help you and your mission raise more funds. A database can help revolutionize the way you manage and utilize data, enabling you to reach more people in need and make a lasting difference.

Why a new database?

A database is the backbone of any organization, it plays a critical role in managing donor information, tracking program outcomes, and making data-driven decisions. However, if your current database is outdated and limited in its capabilities, it could hinder your ability to maximize your impact. By investing in a new database, you can unlock a world of possibilities, streamline operations, and amplify your effectiveness in the following ways:

1. Enhanced Data Management

A modern database will provide you with the tools and features needed to efficiently collect, store, and manage data. This means better donor stewardship, improved program tracking, and increased accountability.

2. Comprehensive Reporting

With the new database, you will have access to robust reporting and analytics capabilities. This will enable you to generate meaningful insights, measure the effectiveness of your programs, and report outcomes to your stakeholders with transparency.

3. Streamlined Communication

A powerful database will allow you to centralize your communication efforts, providing a unified view of your supporters, volunteers, and beneficiaries. This will help you personalize your messaging, engage with your community more effectively, and build stronger relationships.

4. Scalability and Growth

As your organization continues to expand, a new database will accommodate your evolving needs. It will offer scalability, flexibility, and the ability to integrate with other systems, ensuring you can adapt to future technological advancements seamlessly.

How Can We Help?

Share your goals and challenges during a FREE , no obligation consultation. You'll have the opportunity to discuss your specific goals, challenges, and aspirations for leveraging data effectively. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your organization's data landscape.

Book your consultation now and embark on a data-driven journey that will propel your organization forward.

Blackbaud News You Can Use: April 2023

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:48:05 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: April 18, 2023

Blackbaud News You Can Use

Check out the latest tips, updates, and upcoming solutions from Blackbaud. The more you know, the more you grow!

Database Web Solutions on the Way

End-to-end workflows are coming your way. And Financial Edge NXT customers don’t have to do a thing to opt in to new web solutions – they are coming no matter what!

Earlier this year, organization admins and financial contacts will have received an email from Blackbaud confirming their commitment to delivering a total web solution through the first half of 2024.

Blackbaud reports they ‘heard your feedback over dual views’ and their goal is to allow your team to complete end-to-end workflows in one place. They explain that some workflows will differ but that this journey will be completed with the objective of improving efficiency.

The best part? There’s nothing you have to do. These updates and enhancement will roll out to your database automatically.

Rate and Review Blackbaud Marketplace

To help you feel confident in trying Marketplace apps, Blackbaud has introduced a new opportunity for you to rate and review them. These customer ratings and reviews will give Blackbaud more data to indicate which partner apps have a positive impact and which may provide a negative experience. It’s a great opportunity for your team to try out what’s new in the Marketplace. Learn more here.

Catch up on the very latest in eTapestry

When it comes to Blackbaud’s 7.76 release of eTapestry, there’s a lot to get excited about. You can expect updates to transaction processing, improvements to the JustGiving integration mappings and Query enhancements. Here is a snapshot of some of the changes:

Process Gifts Manually
You’re now automatically prompted to process credit/debit card and EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) whenever you save a new gift if you selected a transaction processor and entered credit/debit card or EFT bank account information. Previously, you needed to select "Process Transaction" in the drop-down menu and then save the transaction. The Process Credit/Debit Card and Process EFT options no longer appear when you save a transaction with credit card or EFT bank account details, though you can still enter a credit/debit card and EFT transaction without processing it.
JustGiving Integration: Campaign mapping
You can now map JustGiving Campaigns to an eTapestry fund, campaign or approach when you map donations during the JustGiving Integration. Previously, you could only map JustGiving Events.
Query on DIY Forms
You can now add the DIY Forms criteria for your query to return journal entries that meet the DIY Form criteria you select.

At Blackbaud’s Product Update Briefing, the eTapestry product team will provide an update on product enhancements and future plans, recap what they’ve been working on over the last several months, share recent product enhancements and discuss their future vision for the product. An eTapestry session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2:00 pm, ET. You can register for this and other sessions online .

As always, your Sargent Solutions team is here to help you navigate these and any changes to RE NXT. Let’s Talk.

SKY APIs available for Blackbaud CRM and Altru

SKY APIs are open, industry-standard, REST APIs that RE customers and third-party development partners can use to develop robust applications and extensions for BBCRM, and they are now available for Blackbaud CRM and Altru.

Because they make it so much easier for partners to integrate applications with BBCRM and Altru, SKY APIs will drive rapid expansion of the Blackbaud Marketplace for those solutions.

Partners will also be able to speed development by deploying updates and enhancements that come with the SKY Developer Portal, accessing a dedicated SKY API support team, and leveraging the best practices and learning opportunities of being part of the extensive SKY API developer community. Learn more about SKY APIs.

Keep an eye out for these changes. And remember that we’re here at Sargent to help you leverage these and other software updates.

Take your donor experience to the next level with these tips

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 17:33:41 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: March 8, 2023

Give your donors a gift!

Take their donation experience to the next level

So much goes into inspiring someone to make a gift to support your fine work. You know your programs inside and out. You find just the right stories to demonstrate the impact of that gift. You carefully consider the timing of your appeal and the marketing to support it. You identify and segment your audience, ensuring your data is clean and ready to work for you. You drive potential donors to a powerful online donation form and website. And you ensure your donor’s gift is acknowledged and receipted efficiently.

So, if you’re doing all that, it should be enough, right? Where’s the problem?

No problem, just opportunity. There’s always room for improvement, especially when, given the stiff competition for donor dollars, it’s so crucial to earn donations and retain donors.

A few simple enhancements to your process and offerings can make a big difference. Drive more traffic to your online space and improve the experience for your donors when they get there by incorporating some new Raiser’s Edge NXT enhancements. Some examples:

Create a Donation Form QR code

Yes, some people use QR codes to get where they’re going online. RE NXT now has an easy function to allow you to download a QR code that takes them right to your specific donation form. You can add it to print materials to give donors a mobile-friendly way to donate to your organization. From Tools, Donation form designer, edit or create a form. Under Publish , select Download QR code .

Display campaign goals + progress on your site

Keep your donors engaged in your campaign by sharing motivating info in real time! You can display custom goals and key metrics on your website to show donors the impact of their gifts. The components update dynamically on your website when more gifts are donated towards your goal.

To set up your campaign goal display, from Tools, Website components, select New component. Select Goal meter to create a custom progress bar showing the gifts donated towards a goal. Select a gift date range, change the styling as desired, and then copy the code to embed on your website.

To add an array of campaign stats, from Tools, Website components, select New component. Select Key metric to create and customise any of the following goal stats: amount raised, number of donations, percent of goal, or amount remaining. Select a gift date range, change the styling as desired, and then copy the code to embed on your website.

Empower donors with an online portal

NXT’s Portal is now available in all regions. Portal empowers donors to self-manage their ongoing support by managing their contact information, managing payment methods, and accessing their giving history.

Customize gift receipting

Once your donors have kindly made a gift, you can help them track their charitable giving by providing receipts for their gifts via emails or PDFs. One-time gifts, recurring gift payments and pledge payments are all eligible for receipts. From Fundraising, Gift receipting, you can generate receipts for single gifts. And from Fundraising, Giving statements, you can send donors a giving statement for all their gifts that fall within a selected date range.

With all the time and energy you save with these handy built-in features, you can take a deep breath and recharge for the next campaign!

Lots to learn!

Connect with us at Sargent Solutions about all the new enhancements at RE NXT and how we can help you leverage these tools to achieve your fundraising goals.

Patience, perseverance and support: a sweet mix for charity administration

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:57:40 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: February 8, 2023

Patience, perseverance and support: a sweet mix for charity administration

With a 97 per cent program participant satisfaction rate, Wounded Warriors Canada is doing a lot of things right.

Laurie Sweet, National Director of Finance & Administration at Wounded Warriors, and valued Sargent client, is proud to play a part in the good work of this mental health services charity. “My job with Wounded Warriors is not just a job,” says Laurie. “It’s a passion that I came to know. I just have such an appreciation for everything they do.”

Laurie came to her current role after a diverse career in administration that took her from fashion to insurance to finance, including a 20-year period as consultant. “What I liked about consulting was the autonomy I had,” says Laurie. “I just really like that independence.”

And, now, as a member of the Wounded Warriors Canada leadership team, she has a deep appreciation of working closely with other professionals to achieve shared goals. She works out of Vancouver, B.C. and most of her colleagues are based in Ontario, but they connect easily and often. “We have an awesome team,” says Laurie. “I just cannot imagine working for another organization.”

The national charity provides a range of clinically facilitated programs specifically developed to support the unique needs of veterans, first responders and their families. With 330,000 hours of clinical treatment provided annually, a robust funding commitment for military and veteran health research, a K9 service dog program and $33 million invested in program delivery, Laurie’s finance and administration portfolio is wide-ranging and critical to the advancement of the charity’s mission.

“Tech support and support of any kind is huge for my role,” says Laurie. “When I have an issue, I cannot wait a week when I put in my work order.” She found that responsive support in Sargent Solutions.

Wounded Warriors Canada was referred to Sargent by Blackbaud in 2016 to support their database administration needs. “What was important to me was to have someone who would pick up the phone when I had a problem,” says Laurie. “The initial setup with Sargent, I remember sitting in our boardroom. There was a lot of patience, perseverance and support. I cannot say enough about it. They’re always there and just take care of the problem.”

There’s a palpable resolve in Laurie to ensure the Blackbaud system supports the essential work of Wounded Warriors Canada efficiently and precisely. “We do not use it like every other organization uses it and we were trying to define that,” says Laurie. “Sargent always gets what I need, and that’s all I need and more.”

With database administration solutions right at hand, Laurie can be confident she is supporting Wounded Warriors Canada’s vital mission: helping veterans, first responders and their families feel safe, supported and understood.

https://woundedwarriors.ca/

We can help.

Simple, effective annual receipting procedures put you – and your monthly donors – in the best possible place to start another year of fruitful alliance. If you need support at any stage of the process, the Sargent Solutions team is here to help.

10 things to keep in mind when running annual receipts

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 19:51:34 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: January 24, 2023

Ready. Set. Receipt!

10 things to keep in mind when running annual receipts

After all of that strategizing, storytelling and campaign execution, you did it. You inspired donors to give to your organization. Every. Single. Month.

And, now, as you recover from hectic year-end appeals and gift processing, you have the honour of thanking and receipting those valued monthly donors, who are exactly where they belong. In your good hands.

It is absolutely crucial that your annual receipting process is scrupulous, both in administrative accuracy and in advancing retention goals. You worked too hard to convert your monthly donors to risk jeopardizing their place in your community. So, to leverage annual receipting as an effective stewardship touchpoint, it’s best to be as donor-centred as you are efficient in your process. Here are ten important tips to do both:

1. Follow the Rules

The CRA lays out clear requirements for your receipts. It’s always a good time to check carefully that your receipt copy and format uphold the law. Find specific details on the CRA website.

2. To Receipt or Not To Receipt

A good database supports the needs of your organization as well as your donors. It does that best when relevant donor information and preferences are updated regularly, and when your communications reflect those preferences. So, make sure that records with a gifts code marked Do Not Receipt are coded correctly and no receipt is produced.

3. A New Year, A New Message

You would never send the same letter to a friend twice, so it follows that, every year, your monthly donors should be thanked and receipted with a fresh, timely letter. Nothing makes a person feel more valued than spending a little extra time and effort on them. Your letter can achieve this through customization, by reworking the content or by outlining updates on the programs they support.

4. Check and Double Check

Take care to check that all of last year’s gifts for records coded as one receipt per gift have been issued. In some cases, you may believe you have receipted all of these donors but in fact they could be monthly donors who have not been coded to receive consolidated receipts.

5. A Date to Remember

The more you get to know the codes relating to monthly donors, the more efficient and effective your annual receipting process will be. Remember that for monthly donors, the Gift Date exports from RE as <Consolidated>.

6. Another Date to Remember

The Receipt Date for monthly donors exports from RE as <Consolidated>.

7. Zero In

All gifts that are coded as Do Not Receipt should have the receipt amount of $0.00.

8. Checks and Balances

A helpful tip to boost efficiency is to run the annual statement and spot check that all monthly batches have been committed.

9. Compare and contrast

Compare values on the annual statement to receipt and investigate differences.

10. A Final Check

When you have completed your annual receipts, it is important to ensure there are no gifts from last year coded as not receipted.

We can help.

Simple, effective annual receipting procedures put you – and your monthly donors – in the best possible place to start another year of fruitful alliance. If you need support at any stage of the process, the Sargent Solutions team is here to help.

Find out why it’s worth getting the right database admin

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 22:23:44 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: October 4, 2022

Struggling with database admin? Find out why it’s worth getting help

Just the word “database” stresses out a lot of people. Images of queries, formulas and messy spreadsheets swirl in their heads.

Even worse, though, is the phrase “database administration.” But wait, before fleeing in fear, read on to find out:

Why you should care about database administration
What happens if your organization neglects it
How to get the help you need with it

Maintaining a beautiful, properly functioning database is hard work, and it requires specific expertise. But it’s critical to the success of your non-profit. Before getting into why it’s so important, let’s start with the basics.

What is database administration?

A database is a collection of organized information, stored electronically. Some databases grow to handle thousands of pieces of information, potentially creating chaos along the way. That’s why many organizations employ database administrators. These talented geniuses organize and maintain donor records, employee info, financial data and more. Their training and education reach far beyond organizational skills. Database administrators also need a solid technical background with analytical thinking and business acumen.

Typically, database administrators:

Design and build the structure of the database
Ensure information is accurate and complete
Pull lists and run reports
Maintain security
Perform routine clean-up to keep records accurate
Create different levels of access for employees and potentially volunteers

Database administrators are a powerful ally in large non-profits, but what about the smaller ones? Many charities can’t hire a full-time database administrator to manage these crucial jobs. That leaves a lot of potential for mistakes, missed revenue and messy data.

Why database administration is a must-have

If your organization doesn’t have an experienced administrator to help with the tasks above, business might start to get difficult. Typically, organizations try to learn the database skills on their own, but this is time-consuming, and proper training can be expensive. Without it, though, staff can become overwhelmed and spend countless hours trying to problem-solve. This often leads to high staff turnover rates and low morale. Some organizations even resort to managing tasks manually that could be automated.

Here are four big problems that can crop up when your organization lacks expert database administration, and how a database administrator can avoid them:

WEAK SECURITY

If everyone in your organization has the same security rights in your database, you’re setting yourself up for data breaches and other security risks. You’ll face similar problems if you don’t have a process for offboarding employees.

A database administrator will create a security profile for each type of role, saving you time when it comes to onboarding new clients. When employees leave, the administrator will shut down their access and reassign their actions and prospects for continuity with donors and prospects.

POOR BUSINESS CONTINUITY

Your data is unquestionably at risk without a database administrator, not only from a security sense but also from a continuity standpoint. When unplanned disruptions happen or employees with key database knowledge move on, the operation of your whole organization will suffer.

A database administrator will ensure everyone knows the processes and procedures associated with the database. As the designer of the database structure, a seasoned administrator will also ensure the coding supports the unique metrics your organization needs. It’s important that everyone is rowing in the same direction and using the same playbook.

DEFICIENT MAINTENANCE

Regular maintenance updates addresses, inactivates old appeals, and merges duplicates. If no one completes these tasks, expect to see performance degradation.

A database administrator will go even further, making sure performance isn't stifled by the burden of maintaining useless coding and replacing busy work with streamlined processes.

INADEQUATE GOVERNANCE

When there isn't a dedicated data administrator, no one is on top of auditing and documentation. The data has no governance, which leads to a breakdown in how the data is – and should be – used. This allows staff to make ad hoc decisions without considering the entire organization.

A database administrator will ensure the organization is compliant with organizational and government regulations.

Moving forward, organized and protected

The case for strong, skilled database administration is clear. But it can be hard to find a properly trained administrator who can complete the above duties within your budget. That’s why outsourcing database administration is becoming more and more popular. This option:

Provides your organization with a team of experts ready to assist with any and all of your needs
Frees up your staff and volunteers to concentrate on their tasks, which can help morale and employee retention
Increases your admin team’s confidence in the organization’s consistency and stability
Creates a single source of truth for the organization, eliminating staff confusion and preventing misinformation from reaching donors/prospects

Ready to learn more about how Sargent Solutions can fill this role for your organization, while working within your budget?

Schedule a no-cost call with Caroline to find out how we can keep your data clean, organized, and unaffected by staff vacations or turnover.

Time your database cleanup with the new fiscal year

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:53:42 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: October 4, 2022

Why non-profits should time a database cleanup with the new fiscal year

For many non-profits, April 1 heralds the start of a new fiscal year. Much like the beginning of the calendar or school year, there are certain rituals associated with this season.

Instead of starting a fitness regimen or stocking up on binders, however, non-profits need to tackle critical administrative tasks that will set them up for success in the coming months.

Maybe your organization has the right people with the right expertise to take on this list internally. Or maybe it doesn’t. Either way, these tasks aren’t optional for non-profits committed to running efficient, streamlined operations in support of their missions.

Here’s a to-do list to celebrate the new fiscal year:

Clean up campaigns,
funds and appeals

This is a good time to sift through and update your campaigns, funds and especially your appeals. If you have annual appeals, this is when you should add the upcoming appeals and mark the previous year's appeals as inactive. Remember that, while you're at it, you can link the campaigns and funds you want your appeals associated with in the tabs on the appeal records.

Update budgets

If you enter your goals and expense amounts in campaigns, appeals or events, take time to update/add these amounts for upcoming reporting.

Set up reports

If you have fiscally related reports, set up the New Year’s reports. Base them either on the previous year or, if you have time, take this opportunity to make improvements based on the previous year’s experience.

Receipt all gifts

Check to ensure that you don't have any outstanding unreceipted gifts that donors are waiting for. This will also assist with any audit activities you may be working on..

Prepare for events

If you have events that you’re starting to line up for the next year, create the records now to be ready for when the event-related data tracking starts to happen. Like appeals, you can mark past events as inactive.

Eliminate duplicates

Although de-duping should happen on an ongoing basis, take the opportunity to refresh your Duplicate Management Tool and get a sense of how many duplicates are in your database. If you don't have planned duplicate management time, schedule times to manage them all - weekly or monthly.

Assess proposals

Review your current proposals in the Prospect module to see if there are any that you can now mark as inactive and closed off. Work with your team to set up any new proposals for the upcoming fiscal period.

A lot of these tasks shouldn't take too long, and your team can (hopefully) work them into their busy schedules. Or your organization might be too overburdened to add these administrative responsibilities. However you decide to do it, taking the time to update this information now will save time later.

Have you fallen behind with any of these tasks? Does your organization need to review their processes or get help completing them?

Key questions when considering consultants for your charity

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 11:48:02 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: October 4, 2022

5 key questions when considering consultants for your non-profit

As a non-profit professional, you know that deciding to hire a consultant is no small thing.

Budgets are tight and stakeholder expectations are high. Yet you also know that there are some areas where your organization simply lacks the expertise needed to thrive in today’s non-profit environment.

Taking a methodical approach to the process of finding a consultant will help ensure you’re making an informed decision. With this quick guide, you can do just that.

To start, your admin team should:

Reach a consensus that your organization needs external expertise
Get staff and volunteers on board with the idea
Determine a budget
Clarify the type of help you need, whether it’s specific advice and/or training, or full support

With those factors nailed down, here are five crucial questions to keep top of mind as you search for the right consultant for your non-profit.

1. Do they fit into the culture of your organization?

Consultants should become part of your team, and if their work style is contrary to that of your organization, it’s going to cause conflict and end up being unproductive at best. It has the potential to create a very toxic environment and, in the end, waste time and money.

When interacting with a potential consultant, pay close attention to how they address your concerns. Are they attentive or dismissive? Do they convey respect in all their communications? These details are telling.

2. Do their ethics match those of your organization?

Ethics and accountability are top priorities at non-profits. Unfortunately, that may not be the case in the consulting companies vying for your business. Recommending unnecessary work and attempting to leave a personal stamp on your organization are just two things that unprincipled consultants might do.

To avoid these traps, ask prospective consultants to demonstrate how they put their clients’ success above their company’s reputation and bottom line. If there’s a simple solution to your non-profit’s challenges, you want a consultant that will quickly identify and implement it – not prolong the process and boost billing.

3. Will they go the extra mile for your organization?

Set the bar high. Look for a consultant that will provide superior service, honesty and commitment to your long- and short-term goals. You don’t want a consultant that tells you what you want to hear, knowing they can’t deliver or it’s not in the best interest of your organization.

Urgency can often be an issue when you’re at the point of bringing in a consultant. Evaluate prospective consultants’ responsiveness. Do they keep you on hold for extended periods of time and/or not return your emails or phone calls for days? Will they require you to enter into binding contracts that could end up costing you money for services not rendered?

You’ve heard the stories of sales teams that bully clients into choosing their company, but when clients call for service there’s no one there to help. This can also be true of consultants. So don’t forget to check references.

4. Do they have the right qualifications?

Look at the big picture when considering a consultant. If you’re hiring a database administrator for your foundation, find out whether the consulting firms you’re evaluating have worked with other hospital foundations, education foundations, grassroots charities or national charities. If you’re looking for software support, see if the firms have endorsements or certifications (for example, is it BlackBaud Certified?) You get the picture.

Get a solid grasp on the firms’ experience and past/current clients, and whether their team members have backgrounds in finance, fundraising and/or database management. The best consulting firms have a deep well of varied talent.

5. Are they flexible and agile?

Like all organizations, sometimes non-profits don’t know what they don’t know. You may think you need a consultant for software integration, but the right consultant will ask enough questions and dig deep to determine other underlying problems. For example, maybe what you really need is a thorough data clean-up – at least to start.

Stay away from consultants that don’t seek a complete picture of your organization before they propose a work plan. Similarly, rule out firms that push back on your suggestions or ignore your questions. If you find they’re not open to shifting gears as new priorities come up, consider it a red flag.

Interested in learning more about Sargent Solutions?

We have over 40 years of combined experience in the non-profit sector and a customized approach to customer service.

Why age isn’t just a number when it comes to fundraising

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:38:46 GMT

Sargent Solutions Blog: September 19, 2022

Why age isn’t just a number when it comes to fundraising

Non-profits deal with numbers on a daily basis. How many donors? How many dollars raised? How many volunteers? But there’s one important number that’s often overlooked: donors’ age.

You only have to look around at your family and friends to see that different generations have different ways of communicating and connecting. Quite simply, they see the world through unique lenses based on when they were born.

These differences matter in fundraising. Not to say that you can define every individual’s donation priorities and preferences based solely on their age, but it’s key information that should shape your broader strategy.

Let’s take a look at some of the defining characteristics of each generation and how they affect donating attitudes and habits.

Generation Alpha, 2010-2024

Even the oldest members of this group are a few years away from high school and their first part-time jobs, but it’s never too early to put them on your radar. According to Mark McCrindle, the demographer who coined the name Generation Alpha, this cohort is on track to becoming the largest and wealthiest generation in the history of the world. In just a few years, they’ll outnumber the Baby Boomers, and they’re already influencing social media, pop culture and consumer trends. The fact that Generation Alpha shares a launch year with the first Apple iPad is telling: their entire lives have been saturated by screens.