Before I got started in Internet Marketing, I worked many years for a non-profit organization in the development / fund raising world.  I remember the passion that I felt about the organization, I remember the distinct passion that many other’s felt for the organization as well.  When it comes to development / fund raising work, people GIVE for a few reasons.  1.) They are so passionate about the mission of the non-profit that they feel compelled to be a part of it financially. 2.) They want to BELONG or be a valued member of the organization. 3.) They love to see their name and gather recognition.  Anyway you look at all three of these factors, there is one common bond. BELONGING.  People love to belong, people need to belong, people are passionate about belonging.

I was reflecting this AM on the way to work about how amazing it WOULD have been when I was in development if I had Twitter or LinkedIn, or Facebook.  Think about how quickly I could have built a TRIBE around the non-profit, I could have reached out to all of those folks on Twitter who had been touched in some way by the organization.  I could have located EVERY alumni of the summer camp rapidly and then discovered more about them.  I could have taken a poll to see what these folks value the most instantly, the bottom line, it would have revolutionized the way that fundraising and development work got done.  Here are some suggestions for your non-profit: (more…)