Driving Participation Podcast: What Is Working in Marketing & Fundraising | Nonprofits | Schools | Associations

Over the course of a student's time on campus and in their early years after they graduate, Stephanie Fortunato of Neumann University makes sure students see the Alumni office giving first. At every chance, the Alumni, Annual Giving and Career Placement offfices work together to show students that they are part of Neumann forever. Beth and Stephanie talk about the high and low tech ways that Neumann reminds students that support is a two way street.

If your fundraising plan is one dimensional, there isn't any place to move people to that would meet all their interests. Planned Giving is an attractive way for long time loyal donors to support their own interests and this week, Joe Tumolo of Gift Planning Development shows how simple it can really be. "If you're not offering plan giving to your donors,: Joe warns, "I promise somebody else is."

It's often surprising how much more successful and profitable an organization can be going after what's exactly right for them, rather than trying to get a little bit of everything. Lisa Paris, Vice President of Marketing and Admissions at Peirce College talks with Beth about understanding the needs and desires of your customer for successful brand positioning.

How do you create a new program that exceeds your wildest expectations without having a massive budget to launch and run it? This week Beth shares an on-site interview with the leadership and communications team from The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance about jumping into teen programming for the first time.

People underrate the power of their ability to really jump-start something in a community. It seems so big, but it doesn't have to be. Communicating with people in a way that resonates and gets them to take that next step and whatever action that may be is really the key. This week Beth talks with Abigail Quesinberry, Social Media Strategist with the Center for Teaching Quality in Carrboro, NC about collaborating to create social media content that builds your power-base.

Online communities have come a long way with technology, but not that far with people because people just don't really change. This week, Beth talks with Cynthia D'Amour about how to create an online community that can sustain itself. Cynthia shares why communities die and what you can do to help a vibrant community grow.

Barbara Kraus-Blackney, executive director of ADVIS, joins Beth this week to explore how to get people to show up and participate in person. They discuss the shift to online communications, how to capitalize on your website as a means of creating value for members as well as making choices in social media. Hear how Barbara's blend of communications gets high participation in programs.

You say your place is like a zoo...and Bill Moore thinks you are right. Bill, President and CEO of the Zoological Society, talks with Beth this week about connecting people to the passion that is embedded in every organization. Come behind the scenes to see how the zoo creates a story that is deeper than animal exhibits.

Learn more about Giving Tuesday, successful branding and the impact it could make for your organization with Jamie McDonald on this session. McDonald, chief giving officer of Network for Good, talks to Beth about the importance of getting organized now for a big campaign like Giving Tuesday and provides resources for the most effective plan.

Beth has talked to alumni relations directors who help college students prepare for life as alumni and giving back to their university, but what about high school? This week, Beth is joined by Heather Durkin, director of alumni relations for Germantown Academy, a K-12 school. Heather talks about connecting with students and finding ways to help them continue giving back for years to come.