Community Foundation Partners: Supported by:

“How can I learn more about the nonprofits I care about?”

-Your trusting donor

Source: Money For Good II / November 2011/ Hope Consulting

9 out of 10 donors say that nonprofit performance is important

In 2002, Community Foundation leaders developed an innovative tool to…

• Help donors and funders make more informed philanthropic decisions

• Leverage technology to provide community knowledge

• Build nonprofit capacity and encourage transparency

2002 2007 2009

GuideStar provides information for over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations nationwide

(including yours) to advance transparency, build trust, and help donors make

informed charitable giving decisions.

www.guidestar.org

BenefitsFor the community:

• Access to nonprofit mission—who’s doing what• Track nonprofit trends• Capture community assets• Identify gaps in services/ community needs

For donors:• Understanding of effective and

efficient nonprofits• Ability to compare choices for giving

• Access to donors

• An online “case for support”

• Time saver with grantmaking

• Capacity building

• More targeted trainings/ consulting needs met

What’s in it for you?

• 501(c)(3) organizations in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte & DeSoto Counties

We’re doing it too.• Community Foundation of Sarasota County• Gulf Coast Community Foundation• Manatee Community Foundation

Who completes a profile?

What you DO NOT see.

• Ratings• Grading• “Certification”

3 basic nonprofit profile steps:

1. Gather. Assemble your information & documents.Write any narrative.

2. Input. Required/optional fields and uploads.

3. Review & send.Foundation will review.

Step 1: Gather.

Required Fields• Strategic plan

• Board attendance rate

• Conflict of Interest Policy

• Needs statement

• ALL program fields

Optional Fields• Board Chair statement

• Bios for senior staff

• Background statement

• Risk management provisions

(These fields are visible whether or not you complete them)

Required fields

• Key indicators of nonprofithealth/effectiveness

• Necessary for the “Reviewed by Your Community Foundation” status

Narrative fields include: Program descriptions, impact statement,CEO/board chair statements, etc. Some are required.

• Make them short.• Make them sticky.• Make them shareable.

• And of course, make them true.

Step 2: Input your data.

The key to colorful programs• Program description & budget

What makes this program special?

• Success measures & monitoringHow do you know your programs are working?

• Examples of success The right mix of facts + stories

Your needs statement

1. Format using numbers or bullet points.

2. Use dollar amounts.

3. Be specific.

Let’s talk plans & policies.

“From a donor’s perspective, the mission is a given. The differentiator is the plan or strategy for effecting change.”

-Tom Belford, The Agitator November 23, 2011

If you do not have a policy or a plan…

1. It’s okay.2. Answer “no” or “under

development”.

You will still get the Reviewed by Your Community Foundation icon.

If you do have the policy, plan or document…1. You must upload it.

2. It MUST be approved by your board.

It’s part of our due diligence.

Policies to Upload If you indicate you have them.

• Conflict of Interest policy• Whistleblowers policy• Document retention/ destruction policy• Organizational policies and procedures

(not just an employee handbook)

These documents are not viewable by the public.

Plans to Upload If you indicate you have them

• Management succession/ training plan

• Strategic plan• Fundraising plan• Communications plan

These documents are not viewable by the public.

Board docs to uploadIf you indicate you have them

• Written board selection criteria• Board attendance spreadsheet

These documents are not viewable by the public.

Financial docs to upload

• IRS Form 990s from the last 3 fiscal years

• Audited financial statements from the last 3 fiscal years

• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter

Key financial information

• Revenue sources

• Expense allocations

• Assets & liabilities

• Top 3 funding sources from last 3 years

Save your work.

…at least every 30 minutes

or it’s toast!

A successful profile in progress

A word about your photo & logo:Follow the size guidelines on

your tip sheet & ask for help if you need it.

(Otherwise, you may have graphics that look like this)

Step 3: Review & Send.

1. Have you completed all required fields and any optional fields you would like to share?

2. Have you asked someone who doesn’t know much about your organization to review it for clarity and impact?

3. Is everything spelled correctly?

You’ve spent the time. Be clever in how you use your profile.

5 Ways to Use Your Profile1. Message your impact.

Share your profile your lobby, on social media, on your website, in your annual report…

2. Get even smarter.Use your profile as an assessment tool. Choose 3 things to work on for next year.

3. Save time.Your profile is an “online case for support”. Use it to help you with local and national funding requests.

5 Ways to Use Your Profile

4. Build your board. Inspire higher level conversations at meetings.Use the profile in board recruitment.Enhance your board orientation process.

5. Be a connector.Check out what other nonprofits are doing.How can you work together?

And finally, we are here to help.

• E-mail your coach feature.

• Or call (941) 556-7104.

FINAL Deadline to Complete Your Profile:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Treat it like a grant application deadline.

Thank you for being nonprofit all stars.