How can a company advertise more without looking like it’s advertising? Sponsorship does the job, says Brent Barootes of The Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists. “Sponsorship is not regarded as a form of advertising by consumers, but instead a sign of support.”

To prove his point, he cites the Edelman Good Purpose Survey. a 2009 trends review. That research found 64 per cent of Canadians will recommend a brand they have tried or heard about when it’s for a cause they believe in. Sixty-seven per cent said they’d be willing to switch brands comparable in quality and price if the brand supported a cause they found worthy. And 71 per cent said brands should spend less money on “advertising” and more on causes.

As the guest speaker at a recent FORA breakfast seminar in Toronto, writer and activist Michael Edwards delivered a hard-hitting critique of the movement towards the adoption of a business approach to the challenges of social change.  Specifically, he argues that the growing trend of “philanthrocapitalism” in the U.S. offers a false promise of social transformation.  

Michael Edwards is not stupid (his words, not mine).  He understands there are situations where business can advance philanthropic goals. Nevertheless, his position is clear. The function of the market is to facilitate exchange, utilize competition and measure success against the bottom line.  Achieving fundamental social transformation requires cooperation rather than competition, collective action more than individual effort, and support for long-term, systemic solutions instead of immediate results. Therefore, using business to fight poverty, inequality, violence, and discrimination is simply the wrong tool for the job.

Sometimes the world of raising charitable funds can be frustratingly counter-intuitive. Nothing proves this point more than the ever-present role of telefundraising in Canada today.

Stop and think about it. When was the last time you heard a colleague, a friend or a family member say something positive about raising funds by phone? Of all the fundraising tactics and methods I know, certainly none generate as much irritation, anger and frustration as the old ‘call at suppertime.’

With more than fourteen years experience developing e-commerce and e-business markets for the nonprofit community, Jason Potts knows a thing or two about digital media, and the ways that small organizations can optimize online fundraising opportunities.  The rise of social websites and low cost development environments means it is not all about the size of your budget or brand.  Here are a few of his ideas on engaging online audiences.

Strategy is key when determining how to best use the interweb.   

Interweb is a generic term for websites, intranets, extranets, microsites, email, mobile apps, SMS and MMS.  Applying this term when developing strategy is useful in focusing you on the mechanics of the idea rather than the delivery channel.

Just one of the perks of being a Canadian Fundraising & Philanthropy eNews contributor is getting the amazing opportunity to attend the annual MyCharityConnects conference at the MaRS Centre in downtown Toronto. 

“When Bad Websites Happen to Good Charities: Is Your Website Costing you Donors?” presented by Eric Squair, an online communications expert, proved to be one of the most popular sessions at this year’s conference. Squair’s introduction read: “The value of a good website can’t be overstated. A recent study showed people are 50% more likely to donate to a cause if they are satisfied with a nonprofit’s website!” That’s some compelling evidence and serves as the inspiration to improve your online presence right away.