Thursday April 19- Shirley

Hi !

When you’re rolling out the dough: What’s cookin this week 

In this week’s enews…

• The poll: How do you find info?

• But is the information accurate?

• Introducing Shirley- your friendly nonprofit helpbot

• Jenny’s number and cancer help

• Great post: When to ask for a legacy gift

• A humorous look at the trip to the moon

• P.S. It sucks… because it’s true

Thank you to everyone who sent congrats upon my son’s engagement a few weeks ago. We are now knee deep in planning. My son and his fiancé have kindly but firmly denied my request for me to wear my favorite outfit, tshirt and shorts.

We all have many questions that we’re seeking answers to. What are best practices? How do we do something? Should our organization do this or that?

Finding answers is simple. But it’s the accuracy and relevance of those answers that may cause you some headaches.

This week I’m introducing you to a simple tool that will help you find the correct answers to your nonprofit questions.

Surely I must be joking? I’m not. But yes, feel free to call me Shirley.

Just make sure you roll it slow: But is the info accurate?

Should you ask your staff to donate to your organization? How can you personalize a campaign? What design elements should an email have? How do I boost donor retention? What is cause marketing? Are there different ways to say thank you to donors?

Every day you have questions about nonprofit life. You’re not just looking for how to do something. You also want to know the best practices, expert advice, tips for success.

I’m sure that many of you use Google and/or an AI tool (Chat GPT etc.). You ask your question and you quickly get an answer.

But here’s my question to you: How do you know that the information you received is accurate and uses best practices? The answers you get are based on articles and posts from across the entire Internet- those with great advice and those with not such great advice.

Google does use a ranking system to prioritize trustworthy sources. But sometimes its summarized results can include inaccurate info… which can lead you down the wrong path.

But what if you had a tool that didn’t utilize the entire Internet to solve your nonprofit problems but only used articles and posts that were read and verified by a nonprofit expert? Meaning: Sources used to find answers are providing accurate info you can trust.

Would that be a helpful tool for you? I’m betting your answer is yes.

Meet Shirley, your friendly nonprofit helpbot.

If you make the dough too quick: Surely I’m serious

With a team of experts, I have created a helpbot to answer your nonprofit questions. I call her Shirley.

Whether you need help with fundraising, marketing, donors, planned giving, copywriting, grants, DAFs, storytelling, email and much much more, Shirley has the answers.

And all the answers are based on verified sources that I have read and approved! My goal with Shirley is to provide you with answers to your nonprofit questions- answers you can trust and use.

How does Shirley work? Simply ask a question and Shirley will provide two things:

1. An answer (summary)

2. Links to the post/article where she took the answer from. Click the link and go deeper to get the full answer to your inquiry

It’s really simple to use. Have a look at this short video to learn how:

Interested in taking Shirley for a spin?

For enews subscribers who are staff members at a nonprofit (sorry consultants!), I am offering you the chance to use Shirley for the next 14 days. Ask all your questions, get trustworthy answers.

Simply reply to this email with the word “Shirley” and I’ll provide you with access.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The system currently searches for answers from a library of about 3,700 articles (includes YouTube videos and podcasts). I am constantly updating the database by adding approximately 40-50 new articles per month. That means that Shirley continues to receive the most updated expert info out there for you to explore and use!

You have questions and you need answers to help your organization grow and thrive. Shirley was created for just this purpose. It’s a tool that has you in mind. Yes you- the overworked nonprofit staff member with a million things to do… and a million questions to get answered.

Email me, take Shirley for a spin and learn something new. And when the 14 days are up, I’d love to get your feedback!

Bibbi babka make you sick: Learn from the good

In this section I’ll share with you something good being done by a nonprofit that you can learn from.

They had me at 867-5309.

In a partnership of Cancer Support Community (CSC), Gilda’s Club (in memory of the great Gilda Radner) and Tommy Tutone (yes- exactly who you’re thinking of if you’re an Xer), a support line has been created for people impacted by cancer. Call the number and receive support, trusted information and personalized guidance from trained specialists.

The number to call? But of course it’s 867-5309!

(Use CSC- 272- as the area code)

And Tommy Tutone, the singer who made Jenny’s number famous in 1981, is a partner in this project.

I love this idea of not only having a helpline for people affected by cancer but that the phone number is easy to remember, especially for those of a certain age. Great idea!

When you pour the filling in: A little of this and that

In this section I’m going to share with you great content I’ve picked out that you can learn from.

1. When to ask for a legacy gift. MUST READ!!! (Mark Phillips)

2. 5 tips to make your impact report shine (Rachel Zant)

3. How to say thank you to your Board (Blackbaud)

4. 5 smart ways to find corporate sponsors (Fundraising IP)

5. Nonprofit bylaws- do’s and dont’s (Foundation Group)

Just make sure you wear a grin: Going to space

Artemis II went to the moon and back. Damn cool!

Space exploration has always fascinated me. Would I love to go to the moon? Yup. Would I be stressed about not making it back? You betcha.

Let’s celebrate the achievements of Artemis II with Dave Barry’s look at their mission. Barry is one of my favorite humor writers and so yes, he covers one of the biggest news items related to Artemis II: The bathroom.

SOTW (Song of the week): This week I listened to Jenny. That shouldn’t shock you given the above section about the famous phone number.

I’ll be back in your inbox next Thursday. Have a great weekend!

P.S. I’m guessing that many of you (I see you consultants!) are nodding your head in agreement. And silently weeping.