What should you wear for a family portrait? Answering that question is, hands down, the most challenging part of having family photos taken. It’s enough that you have to coordinate a whole family of outfits. But you also have to think about which colors look best on everyone and how each piece of clothing will […]
When you work for a small nonprofit, you don’t have time or money for a failed fundraiser. But sooner or later, most fundraising professionals experience that pain. Tireless hours spent crafting the perfect event or campaign only to barely break even — or worse. So today, we’re going to talk about some of the best […]
The sibling bond is like no other. Our siblings celebrate our victories and mourn our losses. They love us at our most vulnerable. And in our old age, they’ll be the only people in the world who can reminisce with us about our earliest years. That’s why we love to take sibling portraits. They make […]
If you look at successful fundraisers, most have something key in common. They aren’t put on by one frazzled person, trying to do everything alone. They usually have a main coordinator and a team of other volunteers working together. Our teammates help us overcome fundraising fears. They help us think through the logistics. And ultimately, […]
Easter is coming, and with it, so are some of the sweetest photos of the year. Sadly, most of these photos will be forgotten shortly after they’re posted on social media. But with a few key tips, you can turn your Easter photos into family keepsakes. Here’s how to do it! 1. Dress Timelessly Most […]
If you’ve ever had to pick the fundraiser project for a group, you know it’s not just about finding the best program. You also have to convince your fellow group members that it’s the best. Some will have anxieties from other fundraisers gone wrong. Some will have strong opinions about “the way we’ve always done […]
At Knickerbockers, we try to pack a ton of value into every fundraiser. You sell certificates that entitle buyers to a studio portrait session and a package of prints. You keep 100% of certificate sales. Then, our photographers spend a weekend taking portraits of all your certificate holders. You and your helpers will receive free […]
When it comes to family photos, you might think your only option is to head outdoors. But an outdoor portrait comes with a host of challenges — lighting, weather, keeping the kids clean. And as beautiful as a sun-drenched wheat-field can be, it’s not as unique a setting as it was 10 years ago. An indoor […]
Is it possible to hold a fundraiser without fees? And if so, do these no-cost fundraisers actually raise any money? The answer is yes — and we’re going to share some of our favorites. But before you jump into one of these fundraisers, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.First, any […]
What is it that makes running a fundraiser so intimidating? Most of us have done them. Most of us have given to them. And yet, when it’s time to put on a fundraiser for your school, church or sports team, you might still feel a rush of anxiety. I don’t want to be pushy, you […]
Marketing is tough, and when you’re already trying to raise money, the last thing you want to do is spend more money for reach and access to new eyeballs. But you can’t always go back to the same well for more water, and if you’ve already tapped out your current followers and community and still […]
If you are looking to do any kind of fundraising for a non-profit organization, community group, or important cause you support this year, you are likely going to be reaching out to friends and family for their support. But how do you reach beyond your own network of contacts to spread something the viral way? […]
Working in nonprofits and fundraising can sometimes feel isolating - especially because you feel like you are constantly fundraising and asking others for money. It can lead to a lot of doors shut in your face and otherwise good people hanging up on you mid-sentence. Without fundraising, though, your organization wouldn’t be able to put […]
Successful fundraising is an art and a science, and just like in a lot of art, the science doesn’t always add up. In that regard, we can say definitively that fundraising is not math, though it does involve plenty of numbers. All that is to say, fundraising is hard, and exponentially so without preparation. But […]
When it comes to coordinating your portrait fundraiser, there are so many options for getting word out about it. While you should use the method(s) you feel most comfortable with, we highly recommend that a portion of your marketing efforts be devoted to social media! Why make an event page in the first place? Posting […]
Whether you’re a Knickerbockers portrait fundraising coordinator or one of our awesome participants, there’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to the day of your fundraiser. From logistics and scheduling to keeping the photographers happy and making sure your family is camera-ready, things aren’t always smooth-sailing on portrait day! The reality is […]
You’ve landed here on this blog post and that tells us two things. One, you’re probably considering hosting a portrait fundraiser, and more importantly, two, you’re wondering if a portrait fundraiser is the best fit for you and your fundraising needs. It may seem obvious, but one of the most common questions we receive on […]
Have you set big and exciting revenue goals for your portrait fundraiser? Can you envision yourself earning those large bonuses? Well, we certainly can and we want to ensure your dream becomes a reality. Below we’ve put together our most helpful tips for selling your certificates with ease! 1. Take Advantage of Local Advertising When […]
So, you’re in charge of planning a Knickerbockers fundraiser. Whether it’s your first or your fifth, selling tickets and “marketing” your event can sometimes feel like a scary task that you’d rather just put off while you hide under your covers and come up with a list of very “important” tasks to add to your […]
One minute, you’re at a PTO meeting, the next, you’re volunteering to lead the group’s fall fundraiser. It happened so suddenly, you’re not sure whether you’re excited or overwhelmed. No matter how you feel about the project ahead of you, Knickerbockers has your back. Our experience helping group organizers like you makes us perfectly equipped […]
TV series, books, films, newspapers, old family tales, conversations with our closest friends and strangers--our daily lives are filled with stories. In ancient times, people shared their stories orally and painted pictures on cave walls. Today, we dictate a story into our phone, the text magically appearing before our eyes. We can even video-call a […]
No matter the size of your organization, there’s a treasure trove of wisdom to gain from understanding why people choose to give to a cause. Being passionate about your group’s message is a fantastic place to begin when attracting donors—which is just another word for anyone who contributes to your fundraiser—however, what most folks don’t […]
Are you and your organization tired of hosting the same old fundraiser year after year? Have you had enough of selling wrapping paper and buckets of cookie dough? Ready to throw that coupon book at the wall? Maybe you’re itching to try something new, but unsure if it’s worth the risk. Look no further; Knickerbockers […]
If we asked you right now what your favorite movie is—don’t pause—what comes to mind? Did you feel that rush of excitement; the one that’s got you ready to defend your choice to the death?! That passion and joy is what happens when a great story sticks with you. It’s true for TV series, books, […]
