All posts by Tony Martignetti

Number 1 Podcast And 2 In The Top 5

'One' courtesy of HundredNorth on Flickr
'One' courtesy of HundredNorth on Flickr
Blogger Cheryl McCormick, principal of Ascend Nonprofit Consulting, named her Top 5 nonprofit podcasts.

The two I host–Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio and Fundraising Fundamentals–are each in there.

Nonprofit Radio is #1!

Cheryl says Nonprofit Radio’s guests:

include the most credible, highly-regarded doers and thought leaders in the field of nonprofit work.

I agree. I’m grateful to each guest for sharing their expertise. They’re a very generous bunch.

She approves of Jargon Jail to keep the credible, highly-regarded guest explanations simple and easy-to-follow for listeners. That’s critical. There’s no value in technical fog when you’re trying to put strategies into practice. Transgressing guests are thrown in Jargon Jail, but easily paroled when they define their terms.

Of the host:

it’s his wit, sense of fun with his guests, self-deprecating humor that gets me. His passion for his work and the nonprofit sector really comes through.

I want guests to be comfortable, so their passion reaches listeners. I strive for a conversation listeners want to be part of.

Listeners, since you can’t be in the studio I’m channeling you. You’re whispering questions to me, even though 99% of you 9,000+ won’t listen until days or weeks later on iTunes.

That doesn’t matter. I hear you.

Cheryl’s only negative is that I put out one show a week. She wants more.

Fundraising Fundamentals, which I host for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, is her #3.

In Cheryl’s words, the 10-minute monthly is:

Great for busy nonprofit professionals on the go!

And she wishes I’d do them more often.

Credit for the #3 ranking goes to the folks at The Chronicle. Assistant Managing Editor Peter Panepento has been a strident supporter from the outset. Web Editor Cody Switzer makes the show sound great.

Regina Walton is the social media manager for my podcasts, consulting and everything else I’ve got my hand in. She promotes all the stuff I create with an enthusiasm and professionalism that is exhausting. You rock, Regina!

Cheryl McCormick, thank you so much! Each show is a true labor of love. Your recognition of my work is much appreciated.

Maria Semple

Nonprofit Radio, March 8, 2013: InteGREAT Communications And Marketing & PRI: Program Related Investments

Big Nonprofit Ideas for the Other 95%

Listen live or archive:

Tony’s Guests:

Lansing Associates logo
Diane Lansing: InteGREAT Communications And Marketing

Diane Lansing, president of Lansing Associates, has ideas for getting your communications and marketing in sync. Then she wants you to apply analytics so you know what works and what doesn’t, in the short- and long-term. Sounds simple. Are you doing it? Diane will get you started.

Maria Semple
Maria Semple: PRI: Program Related Investments

Our prospect research contributor and The Prospect Finder, Maria Semple, is with me to explain why foundations don’t only make grants. Some offer loans, loan guarantees, equity investments and other PRIs. How do you find these foundations? Listen to Maria. She’ll also have info on conferences you’ll want to pay attention to.

 


Top Trends. Sound Advice. Lively Conversation.

You’re on the air and on target as I delve into the big issues facing your nonprofit—and your career.

If you have big dreams but an average budget, tune in to Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio.

I interview the best in the business on every topic from board relations, fundraising, social media and compliance, to technology, accounting, volunteer management, finance, marketing and beyond. Always with you in mind.

When and where: Talking Alternative Radio, Fridays, 1-2PM Eastern

Sign-up for show alerts!

Here is a link to the audio: 132: InteGREAT Communications And Marketing & PRI: Program Related Investments. You can also subscribe on iTunes to get the podcast automatically.

View Full Transcript

Talk About Charitable Gift Annuities

Courtesy of Elva Keaton on Flickr.
Courtesy of Elva Keaton on Flickr
I’m doing a training series on charitable gift annuities, or CGAs, for a client so I’ll share a piece of the outline: how to talk about gift annuities with your prospects.

If you’re not familiar with these, here’s a CGA primer from SmartMoney.com.

In many states your charity has to be approved by state authorities before you can offer CGAs as a gift option to residents of the state. This is for those that have that approval, or if your prospect resides in a state that doesn’t require approval.

The American Council on Gift Annuities has an informative site that includes a summary of regulations state-by-state. (I refer to the ACGA site often, but it’s not definitive for state regs. I always check the primary source–state law–before forming a final answer on a regulation question.)

Who do you talk to?
Prospects for CGAs are typically 65 and over, with most of the gifts coming from those who are in their mid- to late seventies. You should be actively listening to prospects all the time.

Clues that reveal you’re talking to a CGA prospect:

  • I need more income
  • I’m worried about retirement income
  • I’m supporting a sibling; parent; or adult child (CGAs can be written so non-donors receive the lifetime payments.)
  • My spouse will need income when I’m gone
  • My stock dividends are low (CGA rates are higher than nearly every stock dividend.)

What do you say?
First, explain what long-term gifts do for you. Motivate prospects by feeding off what they already love: your charitable work.

Then, give your overview of the CGA features:

  • simple agreement
  • make your gift with cash or stock (or whatever state law and your gift acceptance policy say)
  • steady, fixed payments for the lifetimes of one or two people
  • what remains is a gift that supports our work

What if they’re interested in the financial features?

  • rates vary with age; the older you are the higher your rate; would you like me to do a personalized overview for you?
  • payments are steady and fixed for life (worth repeating)
  • payments are backed by all the assets of the organization; have you seen our annual report on our site?
  • assets are managed by X, with oversight by our CFO and/or board investment committee
  • CGA program is approved by the state department of insurance (as appropriate)

What’s next?
Your prospect may want to talk to their husband or wife. Offer a personalized, written overview (assuming you have software to produce one) so they’ll have more detail and their discussion can be more informed.

This will get your charitable gift annuity conversations started. What have yours been like?

Nonprofit Radio, March 1, 2013: Press Pause & Divine Devices

Big Nonprofit Ideas for the Other 95%

Listen live or archive:

Tony’s Guests:

Julie Funt
Juliet Funt
Juliet Funt: Press Pause

The daughter of Candid Camera’s Allen Funt, Juliet Funt is a consultant to Fortune 100 companies and a motivational business speaker. She wants you to make time in your life for White Space(r). You’ll be less stressed, more creative, sleep better and be more productive. Relationships will flourish. She has a kids version too. We’ll do a White Space(r) together.

 

Scott Koegler
Scott Koegler: Divine Devices

Desktops, laptops, tablets and handhelds. Scott Koegler has tips for picking the right device to fit your budget, work style and personality. He’s the editor of Nonprofit Technology News and our monthly tech contributor. (Rebroadcast from August 17, 2012)

 
 


Top Trends. Sound Advice. Lively Conversation.

You’re on the air and on target as I delve into the big issues facing your nonprofit—and your career.

If you have big dreams but an average budget, tune in to Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio.

I interview the best in the business on every topic from board relations, fundraising, social media and compliance, to technology, accounting, volunteer management, finance, marketing and beyond. Always with you in mind.

When and where: Talking Alternative Radio, Fridays, 1-2PM Eastern

Sign-up for show alerts!

Here is a link to the audio: 131: Press Pause and Divine Devices. You can also subscribe on iTunes to get the podcast automatically.
View Full Transcript

Find Me On “Fundraising For Nonprofits” Blog

21842_282120324711_6001304_nI’m contributing to Hank Lewis’s “Fundraising For Nonprofits” blog. Thanks, Hank!

It’s a popular blog and I’m glad to have been invited to the party.

I’m writing about Planned Giving for small- and mid-size charities, explaining how to start a program. I just got started in January with “What Is Planned Giving?” and this month is “Why Have A Planned Giving Program?

As you can see, I’m talking basics, with simple steps you can execute written in language you can understand.

Hank and his other contributors blog on the likes of board fundraising; social media fundraising; grants; special events; and a lot of other topics. (They’re listed in the right hand navigation window on any of those sites.)

You’ll find my new posts on each third Thursday.

Check me out over there.