Freshsite Phoenix

10/01/2020

This time of year is the beginning of the final fundraising season for local non profits and family foundations. If you havent already, plan your virtual Gala, breakfast, or silent auction now to secure donation funds before the holidays.

Reach out to Freshsite for suggestions, planning documents, and examples to make your 2020 Virtual Event a success!

08/27/2020

We have a new look!

Freshsite Phoenix is here to support local non profit organizations through consulting services with a specialty focus on organizational development, board of directors training, market research, and finance planning.

We are also available for planning and delivery of special events - particularly in the middle of our COVID challenges as many great opportunities exist within social distancing and virtual celebrations!

Have a great Weekend and reach out to Freshsite if you are interested in our services.

06/06/2020

Happy June Arizona non profits! It's getting warmer out there and this is the time of year we plan for our Fall Giving campaigns!

Some organizations are expecting we will still be dealing with the up and down of COVID transmission and have turned to online fundraising ideas.

Here are some great ones:

- online concerts (hire a musician or find one committed to your cause to play for an hour and sell tickets to your event!)

- online destination events (get footage of a local or exotic place and have everyone join the tour online and everyone can dress in theme and participate via web or tablet cam!)

- online galas! Creation of an entire online event that provides all the same exciting content as a live gala (including bidding style donations) from the comfort of home.

- Online fashion shows! Each model is at a secure location (this is the best if you have clients who want to participate - donors get to see them and see their excitement in participating!)

Feel free to share you ideas too! And remember Freshsite is available for hire if you need help planning events or solving organizational development challenges in this time of our "new normal."

04/25/2020

As our community organizations begin to hear of opportunities to reopen for business, it's time to make a plan!

First, account for the fact it will be sometime before things are "normal" - if ever. And, become comfortable with that.

Review your programs, services, and operations and determine which ones provide an opportunity to use technology to meet the needs of those you serve longterm- and which still require some amount of interaction.

Example- housing counseling, therapies, and intake functions can all be done via teleconference or webinar. Invest in the technology you need! However, services like food banks, food pantry, clothing, or furniture services require interaction. Figure out how to minimize that interaction.

Consider pre-packing food distribution boxes and providing an outdoor pick up table, create online "brochures" and order forms for community members to select size, quantity, or payment functions when possible. Use "no-touch" delivery programs.

Also, don't forget about your employees. Some employees may not be able to return to your work site without higher testing or vaccines available - they may be high risk, have family members that are high risk, or may be or have someone in the home who has recently contracted Coronavirus. Consider staffing plans where those employees can provide remote support that keeps your team running smoothly.

Consider keeping administrative functions that have transitioned to online or remote work where they are so there is no interruption if communities have to close up again due to virus increases.

Most importantly, maintain as much kindness and understanding as possible for yourself, your team and those you serve. If relaunching is clunky and takes longer- it's ok. Right now, everything is not going to go perfectly under any circumstance.

All if this is clearly just advice from a longtime non-profit organizational professional- you all know your businesses better than anyone else!

Please feel free to post or message questions and know you have support from the community!

03/26/2020

As we move into another week of Covid-19 precautions, its vital for community organizations to focus on the following:

1. Communicate to your team and employees how important their health, and the health of their loved ones, is to you and to the organization. Encourage them to take care, get plenty of sleep and healthy foods, and to continue social distancincing.

2. if you havent already, minimize or eliminate the number of individuals coming into the office- anyone who can work remote, should work remote. (And, there isnt a single administrative function that cant be done remotely!)

3. Direct services should be reviewed for distance or telephonic interactions where possible. If you are able to have direct service employees provide services or care remotely- do so. (Note: offices of Medicare and Medicaid approved telemedicine for therapies and other health services 2 weeks ago. If Occupational therapists can provide telemedicine- your staff can provide tele-care too.)

4. For situations where interaction is impossible to eliminate- minimize, distance, and clean as much as possible. You should not be within 6 feet of anyone who doesnt share your household.

5. For organizations who provide direct services to vulnerable populations where distancing is not possible- please make sure your team has access to protective gear, knows protective procedures, and provides a daily check-ins with supervisors about needs and concerns.

6. Continue to communicate with your team, your donors, and the community about the steps you are taking to use technology, assure services continue, and how you work to keep in touch with those you serve.

We will get through this- and we will work together to help our communities.



Please feel free to post questions or comments

03/21/2020

Non Profit organizations struggling with providing services and supporting staff need to take all the necessary steps to remain safe, calm, and focused.

Over the next few days, we will be posting tips and opening up for questions.

For now, stay safe, practice social distancing, stay home if posssible, and provide our healthcare workers and retail workers as much kindness and support as possible!!

And pick up some to go lunch or dinner from your favorite local restaurant! Our small businesses need support!

11/28/2017

Today is Giving Tuesday! Be sure to remind your donors and supporters how much you appreciate thier support!

11/25/2017

Happy holidays to all of the FreshSite supporters and followers! We will be posting updates that impact Arizona non profit over the next weeks.

For right now, if your non profit is on the AZ Corporation Commission list for the Annual Working Poor Tax Credit- be sure you are reaching out to your donors to remind them that [as of this year} they are able to take their annual donation as both a credit from their state taxes and a deduction from their federal taxes.

And remind them to give!

11/07/2017

Freshsite Phoenix supports our local Arizona non profits and does not support changes to the tax code that would limit state deductions for giving to the local causes you believe are important!

08/11/2016

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/feature/phoenix-stories-poll-2016.html

Vote for your favorite local non profit in the Phoenix Business Journal stories contest! All of the organizations on the list have great reputations, amazing leaders, and services that make an impact!

One Person = One Vote

Phoenix Stories Poll 2016

01/20/2016

http://m.ahwatukee.com/mobile/community_focus/community_briefs/community_notes/article_a9cd4468-bf03-11e5-9a1b-cbd7b2ae8b62.html

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is accepting applications for its Community Arts Grant Program, which supports general operations and expenses for Phoenix-based arts and cultural organizations, festivals and arts learning projects. The application deadline is March 30.