Nick Strong Foundation, INC. on LinkedIn: #1nickstrong18 #bostonmarathon2024 (2024)

7 days to go!This time next week, after months of preparation, early mornings, and getting repeatedly drenched by the never-ending rain here in the UK, I’ll be standing with 30,000 other people about to attempt my first Marathon. I’m slightly terrified (spot the huge understatement!) but I’ve learned a lot over the last few months, and what I’ve learned applies as much to work and life as it does to running. ·Doing stuff that feels hard makes you stronger. When I started I struggled to complete 10K but every week, I’ve tried to push myself to run a little bit longer, a little bit faster, and a little bit harder. I faced hills, angry cows (don’t ask!), and pain. Every run, I came out a little stronger and a little more confident·Mindset matters. Running is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. There are times when I feel like giving up and wondering if I’ll ever be able to make it up the next hill. But I’m learning to overcome those negative thoughts and focus on the positive ones. I’m learning enjoy the moment.·Small improvements add up. Running next Sunday is not about being the fastest or the best. I’m adopting the mantra “finish line, not finish time”. Every week, little by little, I’ve seen my progress and I’ve realised that the same principle applies to any goal. Small improvements, over time, add up!·Having a strong sense of purpose keeps you going. Running a marathon is not just about crossing the finish line. It's about having a reason to run. For me, that reason was to raise money and awareness for Maggie’s. It’s the same with a job.It’s estimated that we invest 84,365 hours of our life at work.That’s a long time to do something that you don’t care passionately about. Next week I’m running to raise as much money as possible for Maggie’s who provide expert cancer care and support in centres across the UK and online. One in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime, so the need for cancer support has never been greater.The money raised makes a real difference.£38 – means an individual, a couple or a family can have a one-hour session with a psychologist, helping them address a complex range of issues.£150 – Pays for one day of money advice to support people to claim the grants and benefits they are entitled to£282 – Provides cancer support sessions for up to 20 people to help [ them understand their diagnosis and treatment.If you are able to help, please click the link below. Whether you're a runner or not, I hope you find your own marathon, your own challenge, your own purpose. And I hope you go for it, with all your heart.https://lnkd.in/ej8JiqPR

89

18 Comments

Curious about the secrets behind the most successful fundraising strategies? Dive into insights that matter with our Fundraising Fitness Report!Unlock the power of data-driven decisions with our comprehensive study of the sector's fundraising KPIs. Based on 21 million transactions analysed through our Fundraising Fitness Test, this report is your roadmap to maximising impact and boosting your fundraising income!Download the Fundraising Fitness Report now and take the first step toward achieving your fundraising goals:https://lnkd.in/gUUqNSKY#Fundraising #NFP #KPIs

2

Why am I bothering to cycle over 300 miles from London to Paris for charity next month when it would be far easier to sponsor someone younger to do it instead?That very thought crossed my mind at the week-end, riding 52 sweaty miles on a very hot day. It was tough. It all felt like a good idea back in November, with my mates at the bar of my local pub. Despite all the beer bravado at the time, the others have dropped out a long the way leaving me as the last man cycling.On reflection, there are four real reasons why I am doing this four day ride:1)Because I can. I am already the wrong side of 60. And I have a false knee which is not going to last for ever. But I am (almost) fit enough to complete a ride to Paris with enough training. And I know I will cycle more miles in the summer if I have a challenge ahead of me.2)To show my fundraising team that I am shoulder to shoulder with them. I am CEO of the national boutique charity, the MS Trust. We don’t receive a penny from the Government or the NHS so we can only do what we do thanks to people’s generosity. Our fundraisers make the magic happen. But it’s not easy, especially at the moment. So, some of my miles are to show them how much I appreciate them going the extra mile too.3)Multiple Sclerosis services in the NHS are overstretched. That means many people living with MS are not getting the support they so desperately need. My ride isn’t going to fundamentally change that world. Ultimately, it’s a small gesture. But I feel if I can raise a few thousand pounds, that might help to fund an additional MS nurse. (FYI I am trying to influence the funding situation nationally through my work on the board of the Neuro Alliance so my work isn’t overly reliant on pedal power.)4)To raise the profile of multiple sclerosis (including in blogs like this.) I’ll be honest with you, with the situation in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis, I thought I might have called it wrong earlier this year. In the dark days of winter, the fundraising was really hard.Slowly but surely, friends and colleagues have come good. Really good. To the point where I have got slightly embarrassed by their generosity. I have been supported directly and indirectly by almost 200 people. That is very humbling. Their sponsorship will be my rocket fuel.I know on the four day ride I will get very hot and very tired. But after four days, that will stop. For people living with MS, many of them live with fatigue every single day while over 60% of people with MS experience heat sensitivity.My hardship will be temporary. And I know it will be eased by the fact that I, along with those 200 or so supporters, will be making a real difference together on the four days in July.Could you be supporter 201? My fundraising page is here. https://lnkd.in/eMna4AJM

46

Social Entrepreneurship and the Journey of Giving Back: A Conversation with Guy RigbyWe spoke to Guy Rigby, the Founder of The Entrepreneur's Advisor, about the charities he supports, why he chooses to support them, and how he does so.Read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9ePb9VD #Interview #CharityMonth #Charity

3

DAF sponsor types include National sponsors (think Fidelity, Schwab, etc.), Community Foundations (The Boston Foundation, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, etc.) and Single-issue sponsors (Jewish Federations, universities, and many more). This year's National Philanthropic Trust report on #donoradvisedfunds is out, and if you're curious about which sponsor type hosts the largest average fund size, you might just be surprised. Our new article covers the highlights of this always-interesting report. https://lnkd.in/eXnm5aWb

11

❌ LAST CALL - MASTERCLASS TOMORROW ❌ Three Key Steps to Build a Financially Robust CharityWe are running a FREE masterclass for those who are curious to understand what all the fuss is about!If you would like to know learn about the three key steps to build a financially robust charity and maximise your financial confidence in 2024 thenjoin us on Tuesday 20th February and we will show you how you can make a bigger, and brighter financial impact for your charity.Click theLINKbelow to book your FREE space and to maximise your financial confidence and build a charity that is financially robust!https://lnkd.in/g2N4JzGX#masterclass#charity#CEO#charityCEO#financialconfidence#financiallyrobust

Social Entrepreneurship and the Journey of Giving Back: A Conversation with Guy RigbyWe spoke to Guy Rigby, the Founder of The Entrepreneur's Advisor, about the charities he supports, why he chooses to support them, and how he does so.Read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9ePb9VD #Interview #CharityMonth #Charity

1 Comment

Find answers to the long-awaiting questions regarding fundraising with Big Fundraising Ideas. Explore different strategies and possibilities to achieve ultimate success. This guide discusses various ideas, fundraising sites, and trends for you to leverage. Learn More: https://buff.ly/3wCUcFR#Bigfundraising #funds #fundraiser #funding #fundraising #fundraisingtips #onlinefundraising #onlinefundraiser #schoolfundraiser #schoolfundraising #success #strategies #Goals #Money #campaign #digitalfundraising #donor #yoga #sales #auctions #socialmedia #ngo #mobiles

Wealth Managers: Discover how you can empower your wealthy clients to make a meaningful philanthropic impact, plus unlock new business opportunities. Learn more about the growing resources available to support charitable gifts in the latest from Financial Advisor Magazine. #WealthManagement #Philanthropy

7

Way back in my previous life, and I mean way back, I worked as a Fundraising consultant for a major charity. Even though it was part of my job to ask for (more) money, and I am not the shy and fearful type, it was daunting. We had no playbook or training on how to approach donors; it was a numbers game really of ask, ask, ask until you find someone who will give. We could easily make the argument for why they should hand over their hard-earned dollars or get involved with our charity, but there were few guides, and most of us learned as we went. Now I can confidently say there's a new book in town that could change the way you ask for money and take the fear out of the process. Alana Stott MBE has figured out a pretty good formula and *MAPS* it out in her new book, How to Ask for Money, being launched today and available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobel.If you're looking for some tried and true tips on how to more successfully ask and get money for your fundraising efforts, new venture, investor round, or even a raise, this is the book you've been waiting for. And it's backed by millions of dollars in successful asks.Here's an excerpt from the book:https://lnkd.in/gzbZ-ygjColleen McCourt Becky Coles Jordan Stothers Gemma Garcia Dean Stott Mary Kurek Pamela Bolado Jason Shubnell#booklaunch #fundraising #venturefunding #money #tipsandtricks #PR #mediarelations

16

6 Comments