Melanie Swift from CharityNet USA gave a presentation on why nonprofits fail and how to avoid common pitfalls. She discussed the top 5 reasons for nonprofit failure, including lack of funding and poor marketing. She emphasized having a solid financial structure, developing a strategic plan, and maintaining donor relationships. While the economic climate poses challenges, nonprofits can still succeed with creativity, planning and determination. CharityNet offers various services to help nonprofits with tasks like grant writing and website development.

1. Key Speaker
Melanie Swift M.N.M
Director of Nonprofit Services
CharityNet USA
Administrator
Nicole Roach
Marketing Coordinator
HBIF Meeting 12-09
CharityNet USA

2. • CharityNet USA: A “One-stop” resource
center for nonprofit organizations
nationwide!
• Key Speaker: Melanie Swift
• Questions
• Recorded Webinar Available At:
http://www.charitynetusa.com/webinararchive/index.php

3. • Introduction to the top reasons nonprofits fail.
• The current state of nonprofit organizations.
• Characteristics that can make or break any
nonprofit leader.
• The top 5 reasons for nonprofit failure & how to
avoid those dire mistakes!

4. • Americans flock to
starting a nonprofit for
variety of reasons:
 Help the Community
 Feels Good
 Tax breaks
 A Need to Contribute
 Personal development

5. Nonprofit
organizations are
prone to a
variety pitfalls.

6. These can be so
dangerous that
they can turn any
organization
belly-up!

7. • Damage to the nonprofit sector from
the recession is mounting.
• The financial situation for nonprofits has
worsened in the past six months, while
the need for their services has
increased.

8. A Head for
Business Confidence
Goal Setter
Desire to do
Good Joe
Nonprofit Leader
Organization
Sincere Skills
Flexible Responsive

11. • Build a Solid Capital Structure
 Keep Strict Money Records
 File all Documents & Forms
Correctly & On Time
 Set Aside Seed Money
 Evaluate Want vs. Need

13. • Consider the following:
• Small donors are just as
important as large donors.
• Don’t expect donors to
maintain or increase the size
of their contribution each
time they give.
• Thank every donor in every
way possible!
• Build Strong Relationships.

15. • Learn how to market cost-effectively and time-
effectively.
• Target your marketing efforts with intense research.
• Create a marketing plan with a budget.
• Build strong relationships - Word of Mouth is one of the
strongest marketing tools!
• Make the marketing campaign and materials
interesting and accessible

16. ?

17. • Get a Website !
• If you have a website Make it-user-friendly by:
• Avoiding Bulky language
• Making sure your contact information is
accessible & accurate
• Having strong content
• Making sure nothing is further than “two clicks”
deep
• Displaying your mission in a clear area
• Having an online donations page

19. RESEARCH & PREPARE!

20. 501(c)(3)

21. • Do not pay federal corporate income tax.
• In most cases, do not pay state corporate,
franchise, excise, sales, and use taxes.
• Can offer individual and corporate donors
a tax deduction for their contribution.

22. • Eligible to receive
foundation grants.
• Eligible for lower postal
rates.
• Viewed as a whole as
reputable organizations.

23. Nonprofit
Does Not
Mean Tax
Exempt!

24. • Growing your nonprofit and building
awareness is not impossible during the
current economic conditions…. It may just
take a little extra creativity, planning and
motivation along the way!
• Build a solid source of funding, plan and
execute marketing initiatives and take things
one step at a time!

25. • Nonprofit Grant Writing: 6-3-2010 3pm EST
• Nonprofit Board of Directors 20 Best Practices:
6-10-2010 3pm EST
• Developing a Strategic Plan: 6-17-2010 3pm EST

28. • CharityNet Nonprofit Services
• 501c3 Prep
• Grant Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Website Development
• Graphic Design
• Marketing
• Bookkeeping & Accounting
• Nonprofit Services

29. • Contact Us
• Nicole Roach: Nicole@bizcentralusa.com
• Melanie Swift: Melanie@bizcentralusa.com
• Visit www.CharityNetUSA.com or Call 407-857-9002
www.twitter.com/charitynetusa Facebook Fan Page:
CharityNet USA