SocietyWorks’ Post

The conversation around why we use the phrase Citizen Centred has been the subject of discussion internally at SocietyWorks and mySociety. Sometimes it’s good to revisit why we say the things we do. I’ve also started to notice more people talking about it on LinkedIn too, so it makes sense to explain what we mean in the context of our services. Thank you Bekki Leaver 😊 #civictech #charity #localgovernment #citizen #citizenengagement

Hey EleaTek friends, We just dropped a new article on Medium, diving deep into EleaTek's revolutionary approach to charitable giving. It's all about putting the power back into the hands of our community with transparency at the forefront. In "The New Vanguard of Charitable Giving: EleaTek’s Community-Centric Approach," we explore how our platform ensures every donation is tracked and every impact is visible. No more wondering where your money goes - you'll see the journey from start to finish. By weaving these community-focused features into our fabric, EleaTek transforms its services from mere financial transactions into a collaborative, engaging, and impactful experience. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the sweat, the tears, the grit, and the glory. The combination of participatory innovation, real-time engagement, immersive experiences, social impact measurement, shared vision, knowledge sharing, collective accountability, and inclusive participation through VolunTeks makes EleaTek a beacon in the social impact space. It’s a call to arms. Dive in, get involved, and be part of something that matters. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e8VE6FZN #CharitableGiving #CommunityImpact #Transparency #BlockchainForGood #SocialImpact #Innovation #RealTimeEngagement #EleaTek #VolunTeks #ParticipatoryInnovation #GivingBack #Philanthropy #TechForGood #ImpactfulGiving #AI

Good ideas here. I actually don’t have a problem with frequent asks, but you need to offer the donor something and you don’t always need an aggressive ask. Share some program updates and include a QR code to donate. Send a note from a frontline staffer and include a return envelope for gifts. Simple stuff.

I don't disagree with everything in this article, but it illustrates one common fundraising trope I just can't stand: opposing asking to relationship building. Dozens of nonprofits have told me over the years that they have these concerns. Are we mailing too much and burning out our donors? Are we asking too much because we include a donate button in all of our emails? Should we take donors who give monthly or just gave recently out of the mail stream for 90 days? 95% of the time they aren't asking enough. They'd make more money and retain more donors with more (and better!) asks, not fewer. The fatal flaw is thinking that transactions aren't themselves part of the relationship building process. Donors give because nonprofits can do something with their funds that they can't. They want to be part of it. They are *happy* to give. Maybe you have a favorite waiter or bartender at a local watering hole. Maybe you have a neighborhood kid who mows your lawn, or a local bike shop where you happily overpay for parts because of what they do for the community. When you pay or tip those people and institutions, are you doing something contrary to your relationship with that person or institution? No! The transactions are *foundational* to the relationship. The relationship is more than the transactions, but it would be way harder to maintain or build the relationship without them.

I am grateful to The Chronicle of Philanthropy for publishing my article on the importance of nonprofits increasing their trustworthiness. At the heart of the erosion of trust are relentless fundraising solicitations. Even if you get a gift (only a 3% chance) that donor is very unlikely to make a second gift. AI is going to supersize these problems by making it even harder for potential donors to know which organizations they can count on. BUT, there's a solution!!! Flipping over the acquisition/retention time and energy and becoming laser focused on donor retention will feel better for both staff and donors and give organizations some breathing room. Let me know what you think. https://lnkd.in/dYcvKgBM

We explore the recent Digital Inclusion Report and look at the landscape of digital service delivery, the core barriers to service delivery, and ways your charity can overcome such barriers. 🔗 Read the full article here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eN2z2VNk #CharityDigital #DigitalInclusion #NonProfit

Excited to share the Nonprofit Pulse Report 2024 by the European Fundraising Association and Chartered Institute of Fundraising in collaboration with Salesforce, which reveals the biggest challenges and opportunities for nonprofits across Europe and how they are responding. For the first time, the report also includes a special focus on the development of AI. #NonprofitPulse2024 #AIforGood #NonprofitTrends

Excited to share the Nonprofit Pulse Report 2024 by the European Fundraising Association and Chartered Institute of Fundraising in collaboration with Salesforce, which reveals the biggest challenges and opportunities for nonprofits across Europe and how they are responding. For the first time, the report also includes a special focus on the development of AI. #NonprofitPulse2024 #AIforGood #NonprofitTrends

We explore the recent Digital Inclusion Report and look at the landscape of digital service delivery, the core barriers to service delivery, and ways your charity can overcome such barriers. 🔗 Read the full article here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eN2z2VNk 🌎 Our Digital Inclusion Hub is here to help charities reach across the digital divide. Check it out here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ejbatEz3 #CharityDigital #DigitalInclusion #NonProfit

🎉 Excited to share that our team secured 1st place at the LaunchHacks hackathon with our project, Sharity! 🥇 Sharity is more than just a project; it's a passion project born out of a shared desire to give back to our community. We identified a crucial need for a centralized platform to connect donors with local charities and non-profit organizations, addressing the challenge of knowing what's truly needed at any given time. Our platform offers a user-friendly interface for finding and supporting organizations, coupled with AI object recognition technology. This feature allows users to upload images of items they wish to donate, and our system automatically identifies and matches them with organizations in need. It's about donating smarter and making a tangible impact where it matters most. Built on a robust tech stack, including TypeScript, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, and Google Vision, Sharity represents the culmination of our dedication to leveraging technology for social good. From wireframes to deployment, our agile methodology ensured efficiency and collaboration every step of the way. Excited to see Sharity make waves in local philanthropy and empower communities to come together for a brighter future! 💫 #LaunchHacks #SocialImpact #TechForGood P.S. You can check out the project here: https://lnkd.in/eQxCHz8m