501c3 Tips

In this segment from a recent Binky Patrol meeting, Area Coordinators who participated in the MrBallen Bink-a-Thon event share strategies for volunteer recruitment. Caitlin Peterson-Woolard discusses challenges with community outreach, while experienced coordinators Susan Finch, Terrie Madruga, Kathy Taylor, and Jeanne Malgioglio offer proven solutions including:
Leveraging church bulletins and service organizations
Engaging high school sports teams and clubs
Utilizing corporate volunteer programs
Maintaining relationships with past volunteers
Strategic use of social media and local publications
The discussion highlights immediate tactics and long-term relationship-building for expanding their volunteer base. We hope you find it helpful! So many ideas that only take a bit of time and digging for the best contacts.

Today we're catching up with Russ Cassavah, founder and president of Little Bricks Charity. It's been over a year since we last spoke with Russ, and the changes in his organization are remarkable.
In this episode, Russ shares how Little Bricks Charity has transformed its approach to helping hospitalized children. We'll hear about their innovative livestream building sessions that combine LEGO construction with educational content, including collaborations with local zoos.
A highlight of their new initiatives is the "Happy Puck" - a custom LEGO set designed as both a communication tool for children in hospitals and a creative fundraising opportunity. This hockey puck-themed set allows kids to express their emotions without words and serves as a physical reminder to seek happiness. It's also part of an exciting partnership with the local Norfolk Admirals hockey team and the ECHL.
Russ's journey demonstrates how smaller nonprofits can evolve by embracing feedback, fostering partnerships, and thinking creatively about their mission. Let's dive in to hear how Little Bricks Charity is using LEGO, technology, and innovative ideas to bring more joy and support to kids in hospitals.
Links from this episode:
Little Bricks Charity

There are many ways to list your volunteer opportunities. This short episode goes over some of our favorite volunteer and matching fund portals. They include: volunteermatch.org, benevity.com, and joindeed.org.
Tips include:
Have a checkbox that they agree to have their photos taken and used for your site and social media accounts
Link to a form if you are posting this somewhere like NextDoor or Facebook to get their info into your database
Include a checkbox for privacy policies and your promises to them.
Be detailed and keep the opportunities simple. 
Create a short video for the opportunity landing pages and specific landing pages on your site encouraging people to volunteer.

Susan Finch, founder of Binky Patrol, discusses the importance of having a cohesive branding package for nonprofit organizations looking to scale up. She shares insights from her own experience, highlighting the need for consistent messaging, logos, fonts, and phrasing across all chapters and volunteers. Susan also touches on the benefits of streamlining processes, such as providing digital patterns and outsourcing printing, to save time and money. By creating a comprehensive branding guide, nonprofits can ensure that their volunteers have the tools they need to represent the organization effectively and maintain a strong, recognizable brand. Whether you're a small nonprofit just starting out or an established organization looking to grow, this episode offers valuable advice on the power of branding and the steps you can take to create a cohesive brand identity.
 
Overall takeaways:
A cohesive branding package is essential for nonprofits looking to scale up and maintain a strong, recognizable brand identity.
Consistency in messaging, logos, fonts, colors, and phrasing across all chapters and volunteers is key to building a successful brand.
Streamlining processes, such as providing digital patterns and outsourcing printing, can save time and money while ensuring brand consistency.
Maintaining control over chapter branding and online presence is crucial to protecting the organization's reputation and mission.
Creating a comprehensive branding guide empowers volunteers to effectively represent the organization and its values.
The Binky Patrol branding guide sample covered in this episode (PDF)

Jeanne Malgioglio, teacher, Area Coordinator for the Monroe-Trumbull, CT chapter, tells the story of a community grant she received recently. She was a bit intimidated but decided to go for it. This will keep her chapter funded for a very long time and allow her to continue helping other local agencies through the gifts of binkies.
Join us for this short episode to spark ideas, especially for smaller non-profits or chapters of larger ones to secure funding through local community grants.
Visit Jeanne's chapter page here.

Volunteer time management is often overlooked as a value, as an asset. But it is the most valuable donation your organization receives. The dollars you receive are precious - are they being used most effectively? Tracking the time your staff and volunteers spend will help you see where you are getting the best outcomes and where you may be spinning your wheels. Listen to this short episode for some ideas about time and volunteers.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit individuals and organizations. As a nonprofit or small business, staying vigilant and protecting yourself from photo copyright infringement scams is crucial. In this informative PSA episode, Susan Finch from All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol shares her recent experience with a suspicious email claiming image copyright violations. With the help of an IP attorney friend, Susan dissects the red flags in the email and provides valuable insights on handling such situations. She also offers practical advice on sourcing legitimate images for your website and the importance of having access to legal counsel for your organization. Join us as we explore these critical issues and learn how to safeguard your nonprofit or small business from falling victim to these deceptive schemes. Stay informed, stay protected, and stay focused on making a positive impact in your community.
Key Points:
Be cautious when using images on your website, and ensure you have the rights to use them.
Consider sourcing images from reputable stock photo websites, hiring a professional photographer, or finding a volunteer.
Be wary of suspicious emails claiming copyright infringement, especially those with unprofessional language or sketchy links.
Do not click on links in suspicious emails, as they may be attempts to extort money or gain access to sensitive information.
Consult with an IP attorney or legal professional if you receive a suspicious email or have concerns about copyright infringement.
Consider having a legal consultant on call to review any potential legal issues.
Get to know your volunteers and their professional backgrounds, as they may be able to offer valuable expertise to your organization.

Are you running a small non-profit organization and looking for ways to save money and maximize your resources? In this quick podcast episode, Susan Finch, our founder, shares some valuable tips and resources that can help you streamline your operations and promote your cause more effectively. From free email services to volunteer recruitment platforms, Susan covers a range of tools that can benefit your organization without breaking the bank. Listen in to discover how to take your non-profit to the next level!
Key resources mentioned:
Google Workspace: Offers free, unlimited email accounts for non-profits with their domain (e.g., @binkypatrol.org).
TechSoup (techsoup.org): Provides discounts on software, equipment, training, and accounting services for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Nextdoor: A platform where you can register your non-profit, post events, and engage in conversations with the local community.
Local media outlets: Television stations, newspapers, and community broadcasting stations often have opportunities for non-profits to promote events, volunteer opportunities, or share success stories.
Local service organizations: Connect with groups like the Scouts, Lions, Elks, and Kiwanis, as they may have resource directories or volunteer opportunities.
City resources: Register your 501(c)(3) with your local city to be included in their community resources and post volunteer opportunities.
VolunteerMatch (volunteermatch.org): A platform to create and manage volunteer opportunities at a low cost with excellent support and resources for non-profits.
Here are some key questions listeners should discuss with their non-profit leadership to identify additional local partners and resources:
Have we reached out to local businesses to explore potential partnerships, sponsorships, or in-kind donations?
Are there any local community foundations or grant-making organizations that align with our mission and could provide funding opportunities?
Have we connected with local schools, universities, or educational institutions to discuss volunteer recruitment, internship programs, or collaborative projects?
Are there any local faith-based organizations or religious institutions that share our values and could become partners in our cause?
Have we investigated potential partnerships with other local non-profits that have complementary missions or serve similar populations?
Are there any local professional associations, trade groups, or industry-specific organizations that could provide resources, expertise, or networking opportunities?
Have we explored partnerships with local government agencies, such as social services departments, to identify areas of collaboration or support?
Are there any local service clubs, like Rotary or Kiwanis, that we could engage with for volunteer recruitment or community outreach?
Have we contacted local media outlets to discuss potential partnerships, such as public service announcements or featured stories?
Are there any upcoming local events, festivals, or conferences that we could participate in to raise awareness about our organization and build community connections?
By exploring these questions and proactively seeking out local partnerships, non-profit leaders can tap into a wealth of resources and expand their organization's impact within the community.

Susan Finch is joined by Coleen Gose, a professional speaker and domestic violence survivor, to explore the power of storytelling for nonprofit leaders. Gose's journey from finding her voice to becoming a professional speaker is inspiring and insightful. The episode delves into the importance of nonprofit leaders honing their speaking skills, the value of joining organizations like Toastmasters, and the impact of feedback in improving speaking abilities. Coleen and Susan also discuss the versatility of storytelling across various platforms, such as public speaking, remote presentations, and fundraising.
This episode is packed with valuable advice and encouragement for nonprofit leaders looking to enhance their speaking skills and effectively share their organization's mission and impact. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical tips to take the stage with confidence and drive action.
Links from this episode:
Coleen Gose on LinkedIn
Coleen's website
Coleen's book, "A Woman's Journey of a Lifetime: Thriving Through the Transitions of Life."
Find your local Toastmasters Chapter here.
About Coleen Gose:
As a Professional Speaker and Healthy Relationship Coach, Coleen has made it her mission to help corporate professionals build healthy relationships by teaching them transformational skills to build lasting and enriching connections. Coleen believes that we all deserve the room to grow unjudged, take risks, find the best version of ourselves, and still be loved
Coleen earned her BA in Law and Justice from Central Washington University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Trauma Informed Coach and Published Author. She is the founder of Life 2.0 Coaching with Coleen.

Upgrading your nonprofit's online presence can be daunting, especially with limited resources. In this insightful episode, we walk through the initial steps small nonprofits should take when considering revamping their website. Susan shares practical tips on evaluating your current site, defining goals for an upgraded one, estimating costs, and more. Even if a full site overhaul isn't feasible now, Susan offers simple ways to make improvements, like updating content and switching to a more sustainable web host. Tune in to get an introductory game plan for sprucing up your nonprofit's digital face to better serve your community. With Susan's guidance, you'll be well on your way to an achievable website upgrade.
See the new Binky Patrol website here.
Tools mentioned in this episode:
TechSoup
ThemeForest.net
Avada
Rocket.net
Google Analytics