Nothing of any eternal significance gets done without collaboration of other people and organizations!
What can your organization do better than any other organization in the world?
That needs to be conveyed on your HOME page of your website.
And a final thought! Who is going to get the glory?
Be careful who you collaborate with so you don't experience "Mission Drift".
Do you have a Vision? One good book on developing your vision:
Uncertain about your vision and mission? Drifting from your original vision?
If you need a refresher on Vision and Mission...
How are you communicating your vision and mission to your audience?
Who is your audience?
Who do you want to reach?
Who do you want to reach with your website?
Why?
"If God knows He'll get the glory, He will bless you beyond your ability and beyond your resources." Bob Gass-Bob Gass Ministries.
So where is God in all this?
Getting back to your vision. Is this a vision from the Lord or one of your good ideas?
There is a difference! If it's a great idea of yours, you'll have to do the work and you'll get the glory! If it's a vision from the Lord, He'll get all the glory!...Yes, you still have to do a lot of hard work. The key is to know the difference. Starts with prayer and passion.
Andy Stanley. Visioneering-God's Blueprint For Developing and Maintaining Vision.
Again, so where is God in all this? Are you giving Him credit for what you are doing or how God is using you and your organization?
Is God mentioned on your website? If not, why not?
Has your organization drifted from it's original vision?
If you have, it's not unusual...mission drift is an organization's default position.
Where do you get your funding? How does that determine your vision and mission?
When anyone looks at your website they want to see the following items clearly!
1. Your Vision Statement
2. Your Mission Statement
3. Your Strategy for reaching your Mission
These need to be clear and to the point!
ON your HOME page!
When most young people look at a website...you have 5 seconds to get their attention or they are off! And they are viewing on their cell phone!
When viewing a blog or a website for the first time, if you don't get their attention with the first 5 words in your first sentence of your first paragraph...they are off!
Check your analytics ...Are they going to another page?
What is your Bounce Rate?
Are they landing on your HOME page?
Most viewers do NOT come to your HOME page first!
Your site must be easy to navigate.
Did you have a focus group try to find your site?
Do you know why people are coming to your website?
How did they find it?
What did you learn from that?
If a potential donor has a substantial amount of funds to invest in your organizations... whether it's $1,000, $10,000, $100,000 or 1 Millions or more...
What are they looking for? How do you think or believe they evaluate your organization?
Maybe they are "Boomers" looking to invest themselves, their passion, prior experiences, etc. as a volunteer...are you open to that?
Are you giving them the opportunity to be Jesus's hands and feet in the world?
This is the information I believe they are looking for:
1. Your Vision statement
2 Your Mission statement
3. A short 3-5 minute up to date video of your organization...Latest project...
4. A clear message of How I can partner with you! As a volunteer and or with a financial gift.
What my $25, $50, $100 other gift will do. What am I giving to?
5. All your LIVE Social Media buttons: Twitter, Blog, Facebook, Linkedin, Pin, Reddit, others...so they can easily check them out. Are you updating them frequently? If not, why not?
6. A DONATE Button
7. Do you have a new project or initiative that needs funding?
8. Bottom Line: A clear message of How I can partner with you!
A real added addition that most non profits do NOT show or make available easily.
9. Financial info: Your latest 990 form
10.What do you want them to do before they click off your website?
I know this is a lot of info!
If you ever applied for a GRANT or intend to...you will need this information.
Will need to be in a format easy to read!
If you have a Development person...they know or will need to know this. Why not put it on your website?
If you are still with me...a few more thoughts:
1. What is the goal of your website?
2. Who are you trying to reach?
3. How long has your website been active? When was it last redesigned?
4. Remember the majority of viewers are viewing your site on their cell phone, NOT their PC or laptop!
These suggestions come from a prior BLOG post of mine: How to Make Wise Choices in your giving to charity
A MUST read for any non profit! Especially if you intend to apply for a grant or expect donors to make substantial contributions!
There is a check list of items you will want to consider.
Six good books for strategic planning.
A good book for non profits who want to go from being a good organization to being a great organization: Good To Great and The Social Sectors.
A short review of the concepts!
If you are partnering as a volunteer, employee or board member of a non profit...this is one of the books to read and understand the concepts!
What can your organization do better than any other organization in the world?
That needs to be conveyed on your HOME page of your website.
And a final thought! Who is going to get the glory?
Let me know your thoughts and ideas.
Blessings
Richard
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