It's time to take stock of the situation on fundraising and nonprofit development in Italy. Here are some considerations that I put together on the occasion of the interview released to the Magazine of the Italian Public Relations Federation (FERPA)

A student sends me a request very specific theme, as the benchmark among nonprofit organizations (still open question in Italy ...). Read on, I would say very interesting.

Hi Professor Melandri, my name is [...] and a graduate student of Master of Science in Management Engineering from the University of Palermo. The disturbance to kindly ask a question for my thesis. I am working on fundraising, in particular I'm trying to evaluate the efficiency in the activity of some nonprofits fundraising in Sicily, on the basis of information and indicators, chosen with reference to what exists in the literature. It would be interesting to me then to propose a case of Italian excellence of ONP to be used as a benchmark. For this, I ask if I can give an indication, a hint, in fact about an Italian organization that excels in fundraising, so that I can contact and possibly to collect the necessary information. Consider that the organizations that I am analyzing are all medium to small, non-profit organization operating in all areas of support to vulnerable groups, by developing countries, the disadvantaged of our city, those with special physical or mental health problems.
Thank you in advance, and I apologize for bothering you.

My response
Dear [...]
mean someone who excels in terms of fundraising and 'very difficult because it is something that can not' be taken as a whole.
This is an analysis that must be made instrument by instrument, campaign to campaign, and organization to organization. And although the two organizations did the same rate (percentage of fixed costs / variable chaste or percentage overheads / project costs, or money spent for every dollar collected) would actually be very little significant to report their alleged efficiency.
For Telethon at its disposal to Rai, do certain collections is very different from that for the small organization of Palermo, and if maybe Telethon has a 20% collection costs than the small organization of Palermo, has 60% (ie for each spends $ 100 collected 60) does not necessarily mean that one and 'good and one bad. You have to look at the historical moment of the organization, its history, the cause, region, size, to its database, in the presence of volunteers, etc ...
Rather than face only a benchmark of Sicily, and this would have a meaning, maybe spread the ONP area, and if this could have a meaning.
I would be interested in publishing a summary of his thesis in a journal for which I work, may have its own meaning.
In other words, the question that arises is the wrong one for me. And as if I had at home a broken thermometer, to measure the fever to my kids tell me "the temometro and 'broken, but at least it's a thermometer" ... not really so, you need to find other ways to measure body temperature, and the benchmark on fundraising and 'very dangerous!
Best wishes

One of my former student of the Master wrote to me telling me a little 'how are you going to experience in fundraising and also asking for advice with regard to the information brochure of the ONP. Here's my advice on leaflets:

1 - for better or worse fall for it all means that we are all destined to become so crazy??
2 - is not exactly the most graphically, but the lyrics are thought out and clear
3 - lack of money demand, action or card or something!
4 - the story of gravity does not convince me
5 - and Mordillo or do not like Mordillo excites me, but if you like it ... so beautiful ... except for some details.
Read more »

I always write a student of mine: I share with the readers of this blog because I think his e-mail like this and be able to touch more and more the "heart" of fundraising, the concrete, not just on paper, which turns the theory and strategy in equities and funds raised.
There is always something to learn! VM

My response
that myth!
this time will not leave you in no doubt that it had received, but the answer you need a clarification ... What do you want to be? you go away from the cooperative, as I thought I did, or stay?
Herein lies the crux of the matter.
If you stay, you've managed to create an emergency (money) and a committee have the authority to guide ... be able to do things that it takes more than normal in an organization '... 2 years or less! therefore took advantage of a good meal and transforms this committee by committee fundraising and you become the leader. I come to do for free is a meeting with people.
IF you go, found a couple of doctor visits to do the next time and everything will deflate in a couple of weeks and no one will remember your suggestion, sin EPR your friends who will not eat more '... and this step will not more 'to eat with their families ...
Thursday we talk about it calmly and willingly,
I also want you to tell your wedding ... tell me you want to move the lesson. I agree as long as you invite me .. (and we are in 2 + 3 = 5)
hello

vm

The letter of the student
Dear Professor. Melandri
still take advantage of her to bring to your attention this case has happened to me ... and to inaugurate the heading "THE HEART OF THE MAIL FUND RAISING." About a month ago my CDA, which has a capacity of vision equal to that of a mole with glasses, leads in assembly members the proposals to contain costs having regard to the prospect of a new budget in the red.
Among these proposals there is the complete elimination of food stamps benefits for employees for a total of 13,000.00 euros in annual savings. Here are some weak comments of members, some pro CDA (other moles with glasses) timidly against someone else ...

To which I speak and I would point out how sad is that the ports at the meeting of the CDA proposals for savings and may not bring a stimulus instead of the cooperative, with the involvement of members, can get busy to get to 13,000 euros 'year. In short, a intervneto common sense in which I try to suggest a route proactive, rather than a restrictive ...
Reaction first puzzled and then someone starts to say ... "But Paul does not have a point ...." Slowly the idea of ​​a group of volunteer members (a sort of first circle of constituents) that works with some proposals to bring to the Board of Directors and Assembly ...
I am speaking of course saying that they would like to join, but I think it is necessary to enter a mole in the group with glasses ... that is a member of the Board ...

The President bleaching, stutters and says he has no time, who are already following a thousand things, that the Board his proposal and his efforts have already done so ... Fortunately, a member of the Board loses his glasses, gives me reason and aims to represent the CDA in this working group ... with attached eyes stung from the President.
Result: on Monday a group of six members was found to begin to think, I could not be there for a visit to the doctor (I damn lungs badly situated a little) but I wrote a three-page document and some small and simple suggestions ...
I confess that I am perplexed, and here was born a group of volunteers who simply want to defend its legitimate privilege (the voucher), pulling against the President ... there is no thought of good cause to do ... that is a fund-raising process that involves the construction or consolidation of a cooperative, there is the fantasy that this process can lead immediately useful, so no perspective at least two years of work ... Well, I do not know how to put myself in front of this working group, I do not know if you give me a mandate to guide and coordinate ... I feel that there are expectations on me and I do not know if I want to provide the skills that I'm acquiring the master ... for food stamps ...

What do you recommend? How many times in class ... so we have cited examples of it? Thanks for your attention I'll see you next Thursday Sincerely Paul

From a former student of the Master, who now works at un'onp in the U.S., here is an email that I get asked for advice and I am happy to say between the lines (in italics). Good reading. VM

Dear Prof. Valerio Melandri
How are you?
I am writing by Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, New York, where I work happily as Resource Developer. In 2008 I attended a master's degree in fundraising (I was the one that surge from Germany) and now I turn to you for advice.
Look, I remember very well of you! and your patience with our Don Paul when translating things ..
Next year will be the 150th anniversary of `` Unity of Italy, and I thought it might be interesting for an anniversary to launch a capital raising. The goal is to be a Unrestricted Endowment Fund large enough to be able to use the interest to support the operating costs of the museum-which is small. I'd like to venture into a Capital Campaign abnormal, and quite ambitious, The New Mille (The New Mille), 1000, and that is, collecting donations from many donors, or rather 1089, exactly how I had landed in Marsala Garibaldi from $ 1000US each .
nice!
The concept is to big lines: how, thanks to the thousands of volunteers, Garibaldi `pote achieve its ideals of justice and freedom and unification of Italy` well, thanks to the New Mill, the museum named after him will continue to operate, keeping alive the Italian cultural heritage in America. `Naming plays an essential role due to the nature of the highly symbolic and emotional campaign.
beautiful, but after what's left to donors? Only naming opportunities? and where in the hall? at? where?
So `flat, the campaign would massacre all the teachings he received the master (in terms of% of large, medium and small donations)-a kind of communist capital campaign (!) - Or I aggiusatrla in the sense that those who give $ 10,000 has naming rights to 10.
I would say that by virtue 'of what gives one receives more' space under an agreement cm / euro (see festival fundraising and sponsors lectures)
Another thought. How to reach 10,000 or more people? I have to find a assoulutamente access to means of mass communication, move some scholar / journalist major, short of opinion leaders, otherwise it never arrives.
I would say that is not with the mass media you can get such gifts. It is about doing a 1 for donors (I would say between 7000 and 8000) by the face-to-face personalized, especially if the museum is quite small I would not use such means as direct, limit the phone, face to face better.
But many of you ask? 1000 to 1000 is 1000,000 euros, I really hope you do not feel all alone to be able to do this type of collection. Keep in mind that when you managed to make 500 appointments in a year is a great success (I would say that 300 is more 'reasonable), then you do the accounts 7000/500 means that at least 7 or 8 people in two years I have help.
It 'obvious that if you fail to go, if you can get some super custom donation through letters (not mailing) you can lower the percentage, and take home a donation every three appointments in which case you need at least 3000 or 5 appointments -6 people for two years. No less!
It is true that the testimonials are important, but again, it is important to play the orchestra, it is useful, it creates excitement, elevates the heart, etc., but the fundraiser is the ticket seller who charges admission to the concert, is what ensures that everyone pays to get on stage and not only that unleashes the passion.
Why do not we feel skype? skype and 'Economic and you can easily see, see you later and thanks and good luck!
VM

One of my former student, now writes on the theme of the fundraiser I thank the donor

Hello Prof. Melandri, how are you and family? We good?
I have a question to ask yourself: what we studied about the thank you letters for donations within 3 days they said that the donor should have received a letter of thanks for the donazioe made. In reality I think this is a 'utopia. If we refer to the letters of thanks for newsletters
postal actually are received within 15 days CUAS, in fact, the donor receives them within 20 days at home. Transfers also this online, or the copy of payment is received by a wild week or 2 weeks ... 's only letter of thanks that can send and write within 3 days are known as online donations .. where you can immediately download the data ... and then after a year working in a non-profit organization fondazioen, we can say that the donor receives the letter after 20 days no one ever complained? unless I personally do not ever happened? complains, however, if we do not receive a response we've received the donation, you may complain if compared to a
uan receives 5 ​​euro donation thank you letter (why spend a wild letter to so small a wild donazioen <) etc.. Waiting for her reply I send you my most sincere greetings and maybe see you soon Thanks
SDG

Here's my answer
I come to the point: the indication of 3 days is obviously an optimal time, an indication, where possible, to thank faster. You see, recently happened to a man I know this fact has given
a few thousand to a cooperative social p Read more »

A reader of this blog I wrote some questions on fundraising for the school, here they are along with my answers. I hope can be useful to those seeking to improve the provision of funds to public and private schools.

What legal form is correct up to do fundraising? That is, it is necessary to set up an association or similar entity that has its statutory objectives in the FR?
Absolutely, please APS "Friends of the school," or just "Parents of the school," but this is an understatement. Make a aps, NOT a voluntary association, because you have to do business aps and makes everything easier. Donations should be tax deductible gifts and building opportunities for all.

You know some state schools (excluding universities) has already begun this process seriously?
Yes, mostly industrial state or some technical school vocational schools that can still be of interest to industrial or Confindustria in general are increasingly looking for technicians (category "lost" from the world of work). For other institutions, we are moving, with the help of some parents responsible

Sometimes your advice that will allow me to leverage the best on the head?
"It '" inevitable ", my dear Dean! Where are you going to go get the money for the next school trip? How are you going to do to paint the next time? If you do not have volunteers there is no chance! "
Fundraising is the only way that gets results for other two:

1. increase visibility (and thus school enrollment)
2. increase in disposable income ... So why refuse?

I wrote a friend and asking me a question that is increasingly present in the world of fundraising and fundraiser for the young: under what conditions to accept an internship for free? What are the steps to be sure it's a stage that is worth?

Here is his letter and my response after the
Hello Valerio, I also met the President of the association we found [...], and I have proposed, voluntarily, to support them with a fundraising plan, in particular, for a restructuring of some of the premises which they have have broadly defined the project.
I told them that my help was basically "free" to gain experience. I added, however, that my co-evolution could be agreed upon compensation, where the exigencies of action had become of some importance in term of time and effort.
I also asked them to share my time / work placement with an agreement to regulate the more collaborazione.Ad both have agreed. So I drafted a brief collection plan and the capital next week I intended to illustrate them and understand that it was possible to apply the terms according to their availability. What you ask is: as far as my professional experience is important to regulate the relationship with the association through an internship? I still thought of helping them to continue and expand things "to do" in the field without a fee starting in an initial phase. What do you think?

Here's my answer:
I would say that working for free at the beginning is a good start, but you must keep in mind that if there is full involvement of the Board and governance in general is very difficult to get results, you tend to get paid because we often think, "so work for free, let's see what combination, do not spend anything on the edge ", which is a destructive attitude in fundraising. Whether you are on stage or not matters relatively little, what matters is that they sign a commitment card with you (two meetings per week, accompanied by the supply and major donors, the mere reimbursement of telephone charges and gasoline, a workstation in the guaranteed etc.. these are just examples), demonstrating their genuine interest in your work. Without this rate it carefully, because they give away their time in fundraising can be counterproductive.
So be careful not to give pearls to swine ... would be a waste and also runs the risk of having to starve the pigs (pigs was obviously not just to follow the example of the Gospel ... ..!!!!).

If I did not explain riscrivimi, but you have to jot down a list of things that you expect THAT THEY DO commit to and at the same time, lists a number of things that you undertake to do.
A contract need not provide financial compensation, but still need some sort of "pact" between you and them, otherwise many times the risk of sinking in the fundraising advice and uncaring attitude of the organization.
Hello and call if you need.

I recently responded to a little '(actually a lot') of the questions I was asked by a graduate student.
The theme is interesting that "The representation of the communication campaigns in the nonprofit fundraising."
Here are the questions with my answers, sit back to read ...

Question: Which non-profit campaign (press, television) has particularly impressed you recently? Why?

Answer: More than a campaign recently struck me as a recent example to campaign and speak to Act ( http://www.agire.it/it/media_room/multimedia.html and www.agire.it ) finally way to NGOs dealing with issues similar and often work in the same foreign countries to campaign jointly. Nonprofits in the UK campaigning for the promotion of legacies together, investing thousands of pounds on promoting a fundraising tool.
Acting is a nice first concrete step (and not the usual pro forma agreements) to work together, coordinated among nonprofit organizations. The campaigns do not strike me as much for their originality, but because they are a novelty in the Italian non. Probably because we do not realize how many resources are wasted between economic and non-profit organizations often continue in wanting to "go it alone" rather than to share experiences, ideas and efforts

Question: Please find commonalities among the non-profit campaigns (institutional or fund-raising) of recent times (tones, images used, language)? Read more »

I recently received an email from a person who works with a Jewish school and wants to create a "fund-raising plan" as it should. The question I am asked is: "Based on his experience, there are strategies that would work best to raise money in an area like what I described and aimed to" secure the future "at the school?
How to develop a fundraising strategy aimed at an audience so limited?

Below is my response

Thank you for your email I receive with great pleasure. I deal a lot of schools (I worked with Steiner, and a few Catholic) I've never done a school that engages in the Jewish tradition, but it's really something that interests me.

1 - What type of school (elementary? Medium? Higher?) Varies greatly campaign.
2 - what type of school (excellence, quality, for all, recovery, caring for the poor)
3 - what kind of school is (very small, neighborhood, city)
4 - What kind of school (public, kind of parents, type of teaching performed)
5 - what type of school (as is posed in terms of INVALSI? In terms of benefits, impacts on the population, also does business
culture in the city?)

The type of communication and choice of targets, that is a lot of respect to the ranking that you decide. I would not say that because it is a Jewish tradition, and 'only interesting for the Jewish community. Remember the example of the Catholic Migration Office in Brooklyn where I worked for a while. Their slogan was "not because you are Catholic, but because we are Catholics," or we do not help because the immigrants are Catholic, but we help because we are!. The same thing in your case: the non-state schools (I never say private school) is a public school (including a bar run by a private individual is a "public establishment"!, A cinema is a "public place", and because a school is private? My home is private, but the school is public!), and a public school is for everyone, and everyone is affected (or potentially involved) for support.

Remember that the state spends per child in elementary school and the 6216 per year for a child in elementary school in a non-state 543 euros. SE will help non-state schools will help the state government to make the school better. If non-state schools close, the drains get worse because the state will find itself even more ', and even more students' problems. There 'no one (jew, muslim, catholic, left or right) in front of an argument such as this can' say something. And 'too logical, that's why the constituents of non-state schools have all those interested in school!

A later, and see you soon!

VM

Ps I am with John Paul II on the Jewish community, in the firm belief that you are "brothers"! How nice to lend a hand!

[Photo of Lupintthe3rd under a Creative Commons license ]