Many nonprofits are formed by religious organizations and run by those who feel that they are called by a higher power to do good in the world. Are you familiar with Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, or the Salvation Army?
These are all examples of faith-based nonprofits that are working to improve the lives of the people around them. You may be wondering how you can join these ranks and start making a difference through your religious beliefs and faith practice.
Starting a nonprofit is a big step, but being guided by faith can help motivate your journey. If you are currently working for a faith-based nonprofit or thinking about starting one of your own, here are a few tips to guarantee its success. Remember, nonprofits operate differently than big businesses. They rely on fundraising and support from their communities. Solidifying your goals and your mission will help you continue your good work and have success with your organization. Read on for some tips and tricks for your faith-based nonprofit.
Get nonprofit specific software.
Nonprofits are everywhere, so there are plenty of amazing tools to help yours succeed. Software programs can help you bring your fundraising, email campaigns, data management, e-commerce, and peer to peer communication together in one central location. Visit engagingnetworks.net to find tools for innovative digital engagement so that you can leave streamline your organization and start making a real difference in the world. If you start with the best practices for all areas of your nonprofit, you are sure to find success in email marketing, donor bases, and hosting events.
Start strong by tying everything together from the beginning with software systems that were built to help nonprofits succeed. Whether you need help organizing a fundraising event, keeping track of your donors’ personal information, or making sure that your email marketing is set up to be automated, Engaging Networks is built to make it all happen. Best of all, it’s completely customizable software, so you’ll be able to ensure that your specific Engaging Networks platform is working best suit the needs of your faith-based nonprofit.
Combine your events with faith-based practices.
As a faith-based organization, you already have a road map for events and engagement, you just have to find ways to combine devotions or religious sermons with your nonprofit. This is easy enough since the values of your nonprofit will certainly align with your faith. Consider hosting a religious panel that discusses the issues you’re working to correct in the world and asking for donations at the same time or tie in a devotional with your cause.
Related: Top Church Social Media Strategies That Bring the Most Engagement
You can even host a digital communion service with portable communion sets while raising awareness about your organization. Provide wafers and bibles to participants to get them involved in the event. Getting these kinds of items into the hands of your partners and congregations makes them feel invested from anywhere. There are Christian brands that you can work with on building your nonprofit. Find a Christian store to partner with that can provide all your needs, whether that means candles, mass kits, bibles, wafers, communion cups or any other accessories that will help you host events for your nonprofit.
Have a clear mission statement.
It’s one thing to say you want to help people, but how exactly do you plan to achieve it? With thousands of charities across the world, you need to have a clear plan and mission statement about what your nonprofit hopes to achieve short-term and in the long run. You’ll also need this documented when you register your organization with the government.
If you want to create a great mission statement, check these 30 best mission statement examples and templates you can use to generate a unique one for you.
Operate like a business.
Even as a faith-based organization, you still have all the responsibilities of running your nonprofit like a business. You’ll need a board of directors, a budget plan and the proper tax documentation. There are separate tax codes and rules for faith-based organizations and nonprofits that you’ll want to fully understand. You should also research grants and opportunities for funds that are only extended to your kind of organization.
Faith and fundraising go hand in hand.
First and foremost, you’re running a nonprofit, and that means you need funding. The benefit of including a faith component is that giving is a fundamentally faithful action. God calls his followers to tithe and gives to those in need, so when you ask, they will provide. Don’t be shy about fundraising emails or reaching out to donors. It’s truly the only way to do good work.
Engage with social media.
If you want to have continued support of your work, you need to engage more people. Utilize tools on social media like live streaming or targeted ads to draw in more people to your cause. With faith on your side, you can tug on the heartstrings of potential donors and supporters. So share your feel-good stories and try and involve people in your mission.
