More than 140 characters are needed to share key info and insights from the 2011 Cause Marketing Forum Conference. To that point, here is an expanded version of Kim Sammons’ @Formomentum #CMF11 tweets. Stay tuned for similar posts from Michele and Amanda and check out Mollye’s post here!
#CMF11 great insights in closed door session w nfp orgs on #causemarketing @formomentum ^KS
During a small breakout session facilitated by Joe Waters, we discussed the rise of location-based technology. Many nonprofit organizations are raising funds using “check-ins” through a match from a corporate partner (for each “check-in”, during a specific period of time, the nonprofit receives $1). Location-based apps are a good way to raise money, but are also a great way to build awareness with funds already received (in full disclosure and with approval of the donating organization). The idea is that, at times, a nonprofit organization may be provided non-restricted funds. These funds can be re-purposed to drive “check-in” matching. It’s a great way to get more out of your donations without spending your money. For more ideas on location based technology, check out Joe Water’s blog at www.SelfishGiving.com and you can go to the Cause Marketing Forum Dashboard. Here is the link to Joe’s handout.
#CMF11 Love N. Lublin’s comment on need to work w/existing nfp v. starting new ones ^KS
In her session, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, I think many felt Nancy Lublin, CEO and Chief Older Person of Dosomething.org, struck a number of “right-on, tell it like it is” cords. For me, one of the comments that resonated the most is this: people (especially celebrities who seem to always want to start their own thing) should think long and hard before starting another organization! Soapbox Alert: We don’t need more organizations to clutter the market, confuse consumers and over saturate the cause landscape; we need more collaboration between corporate, nonprofits and government entities. If we spent more time looking for the synergies and pulling resources together, we could accomplish more with less. Maybe then, we could really start tackling the big issues and achieve some amazing results.
Unfortunately, her comments aren’t posted on the CMF11 Dashboard, but perhaps David Hessekiel, President, Cause Marketing Forum, can convince her to send her notes. On a bad day (and we all have them), it could certainly serve as a nice reminder that we do “get it” and we aren’t alone. If nothing else, it could give us a good laugh.
#CMF11 It is always amazing to see how video moves people ^KS
Throughout CMF, a number of videos were shown and they told some very moving stories. One of the more lasting memories was Office Max’s “A Day Made Better” video; this program is OfficeMax’s cause initiative where they partner with the nonprofit organization, Adopt-A-Classroom, to lead the fight to end teacher-funded classrooms. For those of you who don’t know, a large majority of classrooms don’t receive the supplies they need to properly teach. And, although teachers are one of the more underfunded professions, they often reach into their own pockets to buy supplies for the children in their classroom. It’s simultaneously heart-warming and upsetting.
During this session, Office Max showed a video that used a voice-mail left by a 1st grade teacher after receiving a donation through “A Day Made Better”. If you were there, you remember it. She was so moved by the donation received to her classroom for her kids. It shows how a story can bring meaning and life to an otherwise simple thing – donating school supplies. But these school supplies meant the world to her, for her kids. It was genuine and brought tears to many in the audience – if you didn’t cry, i think you might be a stone. Here is the video(grab a tissue).
P.S. I loaded the video to make sure the link works and guess what…crying again! I’ve gotta run to OfficeMax to buy something new.
