Partnering Partnering Potential in the Potential in the Nonprofit WorldNonprofit World

Richele J. Messick

May 2008

1.6 million nonprofits in the 1.6 million nonprofits in the U.S.U.S.

Growing at over 5% each yearGrowing at over 5% each year Can nonprofits help each other Can nonprofits help each other

not just not just

survive, but thrive?survive, but thrive?

Challenging, crowded Challenging, crowded marketplacemarketplace

Mission:Mission: To provide children with To provide children with experiences today to inspire the dreams, experiences today to inspire the dreams, hopes and achievements of tomorrowhopes and achievements of tomorrow

Founded 2001Founded 2001 Provides children Provides children

in need with tickets in need with tickets to sporting & to sporting & cultural eventscultural events

Over 210,000 Over 210,000 tickets giventickets given

439 nonprofit 439 nonprofit partnerspartners

$1.6 million in $1.6 million in tickets donatedtickets donated

$80,000 operating $80,000 operating budget, one staff budget, one staff personperson

Broad reach, low budgetBroad reach, low budget

Nonprofit PartnersNonprofit Partners

Primarily in Minneapolis & St. Primarily in Minneapolis & St. PaulPaul

School/Education, Mentoring and School/Education, Mentoring and Family Services rolesFamily Services roles

Many work with 100-500 kids a Many work with 100-500 kids a yearyear

Majority operating budgets under Majority operating budgets under $100,000$100,000

Research QuestionResearch Question

Are current Tix forAre current Tix for Tots nonprofit partners willing to collaborate to provide greater awareness and an additional source of funding?

MethodologyMethodology

Online survey sent to 439 current Online survey sent to 439 current Tix for Tots nonprofit partners Tix for Tots nonprofit partners

Question categories included:Question categories included:

Organizational informationOrganizational information

How they feel about Tix for How they feel about Tix for Tots Tots Collaborating on Collaborating on communicationscommunications

Willingness to contribute Willingness to contribute financiallyfinancially

ResponsesResponses

Received 178 responsesReceived 178 responses 41% response rate41% response rate

Tix for Tots provides a valuable Tix for Tots provides a valuable service.service.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

Tix for Tots is a valuable Tix for Tots is a valuable partner in helping my partner in helping my organization fulfill its mission.organization fulfill its mission.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

In 2008 we’re likely to request…In 2008 we’re likely to request…

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

More Tickets Same Tickets Fewer Tickets

Not Interested

Neutral Interested

Sharing information about Tix for Tots in your newsletter 26% 46% 29%

Placing information about Tix for Tots on your website 44% 38% 19%

Including Tix for Tots in your annual report 38% 40% 22%

Inviting Tix for Tots to attend events 35% 43% 22%

How interested are you in the How interested are you in the following means of collaboration?following means of collaboration?

Not Willing

NeutralVery

Willing

Annual Membership Fee 61% 36% 3%

Per Transaction Service Fee 67% 30% 4%

Per Ticket Service Fee 73% 24% 4%

Voluntary Donation 26% 44% 32%

Indicate your willingness in the Indicate your willingness in the following means of financially following means of financially supporting Tix for Tots:supporting Tix for Tots:

So, So, are current Tix for Tots nonprofit partners willing to collaborate to provide greater awareness and provide an additional source of funding?

They’re Unsure

RecommendationsRecommendations

Create template articleCreate template article Ask that e-newsletter be Ask that e-newsletter be

sharedshared Encourage voluntary donationsEncourage voluntary donations

Final ThoughtFinal Thought

Opportunity to educate partners

Questions?

www.tixfortots.org