Nonprofit Stages of Development
All nonprofits are not alike. There are different ways to help and different ways you need help. At echoDonations.org™ we feel that we are able to help your raise funds for your organization at any stage of development, catering to your unique needs.
Judith Sharken Simon and J. Terence Donovan, in their book The 5 Life Stages of Non Profit Organizations, suggest the following five stages of nonprofit development:
Stage One: Imagine & Inspire
The idea stage: where you question whether your dream can be realized. You have a vision and lots of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity, but you have not formed your organization.
echoDonations.org™ provides an easy way for you to raise operating funds for your organization. As you envision the life of your organization, feel comfortable that we can provide an easy way to raise funds at no cost to you with echo|classicDonations™.
Stage Two: Found & Fame
The start-up phase: you receive office nonprofit status, but you question how you are going to pull this off? You maintain high levels of excitement and interest, but your fear that you will lose the magic.
echoDonations.org™ can help you take your mind of raising money for your organization, allowing you to focus on the fulfillment of your vision. As you grow in this stage we can provide echo|classicDonations™ a low maintenance, free service, that allows you to fundraise through buttons on your e-mails and other online media.
Stage Three: Ground & Grow
The foundation stage: your organization is becoming more accountable as you overcome different challenges, but you still question how you can build your organization to be viable? There is an overwhelming need for growth on multiple fronts, and you have the mentality of “taking care of business.”
echoDonations.org™ is the complete solution for on-line fundraising for your organization. As you refine the edges and grow, you need more long term resources to sustain your organization. With echo|classicDonations™ and echo|Charity Loyalty Rewards™ you can provide an outlet on your website for donors to donate directly to your operating funds, or become lifetime endowment builders with Charity Loyalty Rewards™.
Stage Four: Produce & Sustain
The mature phase: production is at its peak, your organization is stable, and you are working to sustain your momentum. You fear that your organization may grow stale, because growth and creativity has slowed. You feel like you are on automatic pilot, but you do not want to adjust much, because you are still fulfilling your vision.
echoDonations.org™ offers the complete package for sustaining and growing your organization, even when it feels like you are on autopilot. This is a great time to encourage your donors to make endowment building donations with echo|Charity Loyalty Reawards™. You need lifelong donors who can help maintain your organization for many years.
Stage Five: Review & Renew
The reinventing stage: As production begins to decline, change becomes necessary. You question what you need to redesign; considering small incremental changes, and large changes that could impact your mission. The result of these changes could reset you to previous stages of development – extending the life of your organization.
echoDonations.org™ provides the support for your organization to raise the funds you need for creating change. You are experienced, and no how to encourage your donors – with a combination of echo|classicDonations™ and echo|Charity Loyalty Rewards™ you can offer your donors Lifetime Cash Rewards™ and also have the opportunity for Operating Funds donations.
* Donovan, J. Terence and Simon, Judith Sharken. The 5 Life Stages of Non Profit Organizations: Where You Are, Where You’re Going, and What to Expect When You Get There. Saint Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 2001.