How to Turn a Passion Project Into a $1M Nonprofit Organization

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How to Turn a Passion Project into a $1M Organization February 2015

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Tweet @classy, @Vs_Cancer Join the conversation.

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Meet your host and learn about the Vs. Cancer Foundation

Chase Jones • Founder & CEO

!  Founded in 2013

!  Dedicated to saving kids’ lives by empowering athletes and communities to fund lifesaving childhood cancer

!  $1.5M raised has helped fund 14 research trials

!  50 children’s hospitals and 40,663 kids have been impacted by vs. Cancer

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Table of Contents

1. THE VALUE IN NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS

2. WHY STARTUP NONPROFITS NEED TECHNOLOGY

3. COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

4. THE POWER OF FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS

5. WHEN TO SAY NO

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The Value in Nonprofit Partnerships

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“The best tools you hope to one day build, often lie in other organizations.” Chase Jones, Founder of Vs. Cancer.

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Small NPOs Can’t Do it All

BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIPS –

!  Operational efficiency

!  Valuable connections

!  Brand validation

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Vs. Cancer + The V. Foundation

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Why Startup Nonprofits Need Technology

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“There are only so many times you can put together a Google document and accurately

keep track of your data.” Chase Jones, Founder of Vs. Cancer.

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What tools does Vs. Cancer rely on?

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Online Fundraising Platform

CLASSY ALLOWED US TO–

!  Build fundraising micro-sites for each respective team

!  Empower teams of athletes to fundraise individually

!  Accept donations through WePay

!  Send donation receipts automatically

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Online Email Marketing

MAILCHIMP ALLOWED US TO –

!  Communicate with donors and supporters in a visually aesthetic way

!  Segment communications on a campaign level

!  Create customized emails for different groups of donors

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Donor Management Software, CRM

SALESFORCE ALLOWED US TO -

!  Break free from Google docs

!  Record conversations with leads, donors, etc.

!  Identify when we needed to re-engage with contacts

!  Manage our overall communication strategy

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Startup Communication Strategies

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“Startup nonprofits don’t have the same value as established ones do.” Chase Jones, Founder of Vs. Cancer.

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Make Your Story Stick

VS. CANCER’S STRATEGY –

!  Created a concrete story

!  Tied it to local communities

!  Presented in a 10 second high concept (elevator) pitch

!  Followed up with an easy way for people to take action

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The Power of Face-to-Face Interactions

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“When Vs. Cancer was first starting, the only thing that powered us through was the personal

relationships with board members and people in the community.” Chase Jones, Founder of Vs. Cancer. Tweet this!

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Focus on Relationships, Not Funds

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“Vs. Cancer raises at least $1,400 more

at the events we attend and speak at versus those we do not.”

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When to Say No

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“Having the power to say NO, is what helps an organization become GREAT.” Chase Jones, Founder of Vs. Cancer.

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The Hedgehog Concept

INSPIRED BY JIM COLLINS’ BOOK, GOOD TO GREAT–

!  Know what your passion is

!  Know what you’re the best at

!  Know what will raise you money

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The Value in Saying No

WORDS OF ADVICE –

!  Everything you do has to be rooted in your core values and beliefs

!  Don’t agree to doing things that take time away from your target market

!  Understand that someone will disagree with you

!  Always keep pushing forward

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Questions?

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