SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of gaining visibility on search engines, like Google.  As Google now controls the majority of internet traffic, SEO has become a booming business, driving customers and brand visibility to virtually every sector of commerce.

However, at its essence SEO is about profit motive.  No surprise there, as SEO is slated to become a 80 Billion dollar industry by 2020.  Therefore, the question is whether it can be a viable strategy for nonprofits.  Can SEO be a worthwhile investment for charities and other nonprofit organizations? 

The Short Answer – Yes!

Yes, SEO is certainly a viable strategy for nonprofits.  Two general strategies would be most effective for leveraging SEO:

• “Money” keywords + online donations
• Content strategy + retargeting/social media nurturing

Let us dive into the specifics below.

“Money” Keywords and Online Donations

This section will bear the most resemblance to standard (profit-based) SEO. Finding popular search keywords that have a clear buyer (or in this case, donor) intent, and optimizing for those keywords.  Just a quick bit of keyword research shows that there are many keywords worth targeting:

• donate car to charity – 2,400 Searches per…

Adult beverages are often part of the routine checklist when hosting nonprofit events. Open bars seem the ideal solution because it brings in money and it eliminates the need for guests to serve themselves. However, there are several points to consider before setting up an open bar in order for it to become a successful component of your event. 

Insurance and Liability

If your organization is a large entity and you regularly host events that serve alcohol, it is likely that liquor liability is included with your nonprofit's insurance.  However, never presume; always double check, and confirm with your insurance provider. If you're new to the NPO world, consult your state and local laws about social host liability. This coverage typically protects you from hazardous actions and behavior conducted by intoxicated guests, including self-harm. Coverage may also be the responsibility of the hosting venue, whether it's a community center, civic hall, or someone's home.

Requirements vary between states, which is why it's important to research all of the intricacies. Even if you don't foresee regularly hosting fundraisers that serve alcohol, it's usually possible to obtain a temporary permit for the occasion in question. It's also a good idea to hire professional bartenders, who are insured for their services.

Provide Varied Menus and Activities

There is nothing wrong with providing adult…

Many nonprofit organizations are getting onboard in the digital world and have found the website builder which best fits their needs and budget. 

There is much more you can squeeze out of your website just by tweaking or adding a few things to give your nonprofit the jump it needs to stand out.

I want to break down six best practices that can add to your nonprofit website. These tips will help grow your cause and take it to the next level.

You ready?

1.  Stay Transparent

According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, one in three Americans lack confident in charities they are considering donating to. That number is high, and not a statistic you want to be a part of.  

Do the following to help:

• Provide financials.
• Present stories of impact.
• Add videos to show what’s going on.

2.  Make Sure You're Mobile Friendly

Most readers will be on a mobile device and you have to make sure it’s easy for them to read, scan and navigate on them.  Google and other search engines consider this a huge thing. Make sure you consider this an important factor as well. 

3.  Optimize Your Main Donation Page

Many charities are making it super simple to…

Working for nonprofit organizations comes along with many exciting things. It’s one of the few jobs that can keep you motivated especially because you’re making a difference in people’s lives. However, the job has its challenges as well, and one of them is reaching out to potential donors. 

Raising funds or getting potential donors’ attention can be one of the most exhausting or perhaps discouraging situations faced by many nonprofit marketers. This may be caused by lack of enough resources, budget, or time. 

While a large number of nonprofit organizations have turned to the online environment to seek help, a lot of them still encounter problems with communicating to their right audience. According to a study by Content Marketing Institute, about 92 percent of nonprofits use content marketing as means of communication, but the majority of them don’t believe in their effectiveness. 

If this describes your nonprofit, then keep reading because this article will show some ways that your nonprofit organization can use effective communication strategies to get more donors.

1. Build A Strong Social Media Community

As a non…

For any nonprofit organization to succeed in its cause, it’s essential that they have a strong, engaging online presence. Social media is one of the best platforms to spread your organization's message and get to achieve your goals.

To succeed in social media communication, you have to use a robust strategy and put significant efforts so that you can convince your target audience to support your organization. But how do you know if your social media strategy is working or if it’s time to rethink your strategy?

The best way to answer this question is to measure the impact of your social media campaign. But how do you do it? Read on to find out five crucial metrics that can help nonprofits measure the success of their online communication efforts. 

1. Sentiment

The first metric your nonprofit organization can use to gauge the success of your online communication is to take a holistic view of the sentiment that your audience has for your organization. Though it’s an intangible metric, sentiment can help…