The Transparent Culture | How to Make your Nonprofit More Transparent
Jul 29
In regards to the concept of transparency, being upfront and honest is an important item on the agenda. I came across an article published in a daily newsletter this morning that recognized a company’s website for being transparent. This company received an A+ based on a transparency checklist measuring what content is available online against what should be provided online. This got me to thinking; do we make sure our business strategy include- transparency, or do we assume it to be transparent already? What is a transparent culture? The basis of this post is to define a transparent culture and to make sure your business strategy follows a transparent checklist.
The Transparent Culture Defined:
Of the content currently published on your website, is the information accurate? Simply put, being transparent means making it easy for your audience to find critical and accurate information about the subject organization, what is real and true.
For example, if a donor was browsing a nonprofit website looking for specific information regarding the subject organization, they would anticipate to read accurate real time content that relates to the current organization-eliminate the unknown. Donors are making evaluations and basing their decisions based upon what you say, it’s important to keep this in mind when crafting the message you put out there.
- Don’t fake the message just to attract an audience; be who you are, while keeping in mind a more personable message will capture a larger audience.
- Be truthful: don’t neglect to include information; being upfront with all the details there are is vital-someone could have thought it to be valuable.
If you would like to see how the Charity Navigator rates charities’ accountability and transparency, read about it here.
Benefits of Transparency:
- Donor Accountability: Donors’ wonder how the money they give is managed and what significant change their money has helped create–tell them.
- Promote Trust: Build trust with donors by answering these questions, here. Start to believe the results that are being reported by the subject organization.
- Relationship Growth: Intentional relationships take regular effort, and especially with donors it is vital to establish a strong bond. To achieve the goal of recurring, regular supporters, make sure to listen to them. Become more personally engaged with face-to-face and video interaction and with greater frequency.
Relationships are the fuel that feed the success of your organization; don’t let there be an end to any relationship, always give more than you receive. To meet the challenges of today, embracing transparency will put you a step further in the crowd.