Tonic Magazine Articles
7 Mistakes Non-Profits Can’t Afford to Make
Last updated February 29, 2016 I have yet to find an organisation (or business for that matter) that gets everything right, all of the time. And when you’re working with limited resources, sometimes it’s hard to know what things are essential to work on, and what...
Setting Up a Supporters Club
Last updated February 27, 2016 If you were a teenager before the advent of the internet or reality TV, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the concept of a celebrity Fan Club. And when I say Fan Club, I don’t mean a Facebook page where a simple click of the mouse makes...
Hiring a Professional Fundraiser
Last updated February 27, 2016 Hiring a professional fundraiser can be an effective way to help grow your organisation, but just like any role, you need to make sure you have the right person for the job. Would you employ a Finance Administrator who didn’t know the...
Online Goal Setting Tools
Last updated January 20, 2016 Setting goals is one thing, but tracking your progress is a whole other part of the process. Check out these great online tracking tools that you can use on your own or with your whole team. Goals on Track Goals on Track is a truly...
Keeping the Sponsorship Conversation on Track
Last updated November 16, 2015 If you’ve ever tried to secure sponsorship, you’ll know that it can take a long time before your potential business partner is ready to commit. There’s often endless phone calls, messages and follow-ups, and it’s easy to feel like you’re...
Writing an Effective Non-Profit Newsletter
Last updated November 3, 2015 I am on the mailing list for many non-profit organisations so I get to see alot of newsletters. Some of them are great, but some of them are embarrassingly bad. In fact, some of them I don't even open anymore! There are some non-profit...
5 Tips for Retaining Staff and Volunteers
Constantly having staff and volunteers move on can be a nightmare for your organisation. Not only are there the tangible expenses of finding new people, there are also more subtle costs such as lost relationships with donors and sponsors. In some cases there is little...
18 Ways to Manage Interruptions
Getting through the working day is hard enough without being constantly interrupted by phone calls, emails, pointless chit-chat, meaningless meetings and other distractions. Check out these 18 ways to minimise and manage interruptions and get more done. 1. Led by...
5 Good Reasons Non-Profits Should Use Facebook
Last updated August 3, 2015 Most NZ non-profits have largely accepted that Facebook has a place in their marketing and communication strategy. However, there are still some organisations that argue they have a website, and surely that's enough? If you're still not...
What Can Sponsors Give You
Last updated May 5, 2015 When it comes to securing sponsorship, asking for money should always be your first port of call. After all, money is the most useful form of currency for your organisation! However, once you have a genuine relationship with your sponsor...
What is Sponsorship?
Last updated May 5, 2015 Before you read the helpful tips and tricks in the Sponsorship section of this blog, it's important that you're clear about what sponsorship is - and what it isn't. Many organisations confuse sponsorship with grants or donations, so it is...
Traits of Gen Y Volunteers
Last updated March 6, 2015 Gen Y volunteers have so much to offer non-profit organisations, but if you want to attract them (and keep them!), you need to understand what makes them tick. Check out these key characteristics of Gen Y'ers and what that means for your...
7 Tips for Self-Care
Last updated March 3, 2015 Self-care is important for everyone, but when you work in the non-profit sector it's even more essential. Whether you're on the front lines or working behind the scenes, the non-profit sector is all about give, give, give. You need to make...
Developing a Capital Campaign
Last updated February 20, 2015 Fundraising for day to day expenses is one thing, but raising significant funds for a capital project requires quite a different strategy. If your organisation needs to raise a large amount of money for a specific project, you need to...
Making Your Movie Night Fundraiser More Profitable
Last updated February 11, 2015 Movie Night Fundraisers are pretty easy to organise and lots of fun, but if you're going to do them, you might as well make the most of them. Check out these 6 simple ways to make more money on the night. 1. Charge More than the Usual...
‘Aha Moments’ from Unexpected Places
Last updated October 12, 2018 This week I had the privilege of attending the Teachers Matter conference that is hosted each year by Karen Boyes, head-honcho at Spectrum Education. The conference is primarily to support classroom teachers, (of which I am not), but...
A-Z of Summer Events
Last updated January 21, 2015 Summer is a great time for hosting special events. Whether it’s a gala day, a music festival or a community day out, the warm weather and holiday atmosphere bring out crowds of people all looking for something to do. Check out this A-Z of...
25 Things You Could Do Today
Last updated January 13, 2015 We all have days when we need a little help to stay motivated. On these days there are usually plenty of things we could be doing, but for some reason we can’t think of a single one! Next time you feel like you’re just waiting for the...
Networking for Non-Profits
Last updated December 4, 2014 Networking is some what of a buzz word and simply means building relationships with people, organisations and businesses around you. Your 'network' refers to the inter-connected relationships you have in the community. While you don't...
Writing a Media Policy
Last updated November 30, 2014 While Online Social Media is recognised as one of the most effective channels to promote your cause, traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television still definitely have their place. If you want to make the most of these...