Spotlight: Communities Foundation of Texas & North Texas Giving Day

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you want to trust where you're giving.

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Mm-hmm.

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Especially you, you work hard for your

money or your, your time is also precious.

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And so that's one of the, the IT

factors behind a community foundation

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is that they do vet the organizations

that that we publish a list.

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Mm-hmm.

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Of organizations that are

in that specific area.

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'cause we're in network together.

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Right.

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So whether it happens in our

own backyard or in California.

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An organizational list will be posted on,

most of us will post it on our website.

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So if you go to any of your community

foundations, wherever you might be

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Wendy Kidd: mm-hmm.

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Heather Lothes: Those, those

organizations will be on a list.

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Okay.

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And so that's just us saying, Hey, these,

these organizations have been vetted.

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So if you care deeply about animals and

there's wildfires in California, this

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is the organization that is providing

that service to animals or firefighters.

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Or relief efforts.

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And so then you can either give directly

to that organization or you can pull

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together in a fund and the community

foundation will deploy those dollars.

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Wendy Kidd: Welcome to The NonProfit

Nook, the podcast for nonprofit

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leaders, board members, and community

change makers who want to build

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stronger, smarter organizations.

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I'm your host, Wendy Kidd, a longtime

business owner and nonprofit leader.

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And I'm here to bring you real talk,

real tools and real stories to help

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you thrive in the nonprofit world.

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I'll be talking with local nonprofit

leaders, community change makers,

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and experts in everything from board

development to fundraising and digital

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tools, sharing real stories and simple

strategies you can actually use,

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because running a nonprofit is hard,

but you don't have to do it alone.

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Let's get started.

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My guest today is Heather Lothes,

Donor Relations Officer at

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Communities Foundation of Texas.

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She helps individuals, families, and

organizations grow their philanthropy

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and create lasting impact in North Texas

and beyond, with a special passion for

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guiding families through legacy giving.

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Heather is a dedicated community

leader serving with the Junior

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League of Collin County, the

women's auxiliary to Children's

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Medical Center, and Plano and more.

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When she's not making a difference,

she's keeping up with life at

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her sorority house, her home

to her three busy daughters.

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Welcome, Heather.

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Heather Lothes: Well, thank you so much,

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Wendy.

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I'm so pleased to be here.

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What, what a thrill for, I'm so

excited to hear a great afternoon.

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Wendy Kidd: Right.

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It for our viewers, our listeners,

we're doing this on a Friday

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afternoon and I'm loving that this

is how I'm spending my Friday.

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Me great.

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Me

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Heather Lothes: too.

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Thank

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Wendy Kidd: you.

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Great.

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Heather Lothes: Yeah.

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Thank you for opening your,

your studio to have me today.

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We're gonna, of course, we're gonna talk.

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Some great stuff today.

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Wendy Kidd: I,

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I'm very excited about this 'cause I

really feel like people do not know much

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about the Communities Foundation of Texas

and I think that it's actually something

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really important for people to know about.

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So that's where I want to start.

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So for those who don't know, what is

Communities Foundation of Texas and

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what role does it play in North Texas?

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Heather Lothes: Great question.

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So first off, I always like to start with

what is a community foundation and it's

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a tax exempt 5 0 1 C3 public charity.

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They are established to serve

a specific geographic area and

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to focus on community needs.

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And so they will come together

as a partner and in a, a various

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amount of creative ways to

support those community needs.

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Wendy Kidd: Love that.

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So it's on the ground.

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How do people get involved

in community foundations?

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Heather Lothes: Great question.

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So lots of people come to us

because of maybe a referral.

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Mm-hmm.

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Or they've heard about us.

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You may, I guess more, most recently,

you know, we can jump right into

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telling you a little bit about how

community foundations were a little

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more uplifted, unfortunately, due to

the tragic floods in central Texas.

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Yeah.

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In Kerrville.

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Mm-hmm.

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Yes.

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Yeah.

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So there are community

foundations all over.

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Wendy Kidd: Mm-hmm.

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Heather Lothes: The nation,

they're in small towns.

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Ours is one of the biggest in the nation.

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But as I was kind of.

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Pointing to what happened in Kerr County

, the community foundation of the Texas

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Hill country started a fund, and that

fund was to support flood relief efforts.

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Mm-hmm.

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And that was a way that

individuals and families and

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businesses could jump in, 'cause.

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You know, sometimes when natural

disasters or even tragedy strikes,

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we all want to do something.

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Yes.

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Wendy Kidd: Yes.

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And, and we don't really know

where to go or how to do it,

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percent, we just feel the call.

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Heather Lothes: You feel the call.

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Exactly.

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And on that note, you want

to trust where you're giving.

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Mm-hmm.

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Especially you, you work hard for your

money or your, your time is also precious.

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And so that's one of the, the IT

factors behind a community foundation

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is that they do vet the organizations

that that we publish a list.

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Mm-hmm.

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Of organizations that are

in that specific area.

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'cause we're in network together.

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Right.

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So whether it happens in our

own backyard or in California.

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An organizational list will be posted on,

most of us will post it on our website.

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So if you go to any of your community

foundations, wherever you might be

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Wendy Kidd: mm-hmm.

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Heather Lothes: Those, those

organizations will be on a list.

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Okay.

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And so that's just us saying, Hey, these,

these organizations have been vetted.

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So if you care deeply about animals and

there's wildfires in California, this

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is the organization that is providing

that service to animals or firefighters.

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Or relief efforts.

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And so then you can either give directly

to that organization or you can pull

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together in a fund and the community

foundation will deploy those dollars.

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Wendy Kidd: Yeah,

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that's awesome.

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That's awesome.

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Okay, so I think what CFT does

here that most people know

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about if North Texas Giving Day.

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Yeah.

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So that, that's a huge event.

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So I, I kind of want to know

how did that get started and

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how has it grown over the years?

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Great.

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Great question.

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And tell us a little bit about what it is.

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'cause some people may not know.

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I, I don't know because it's

really popular, but for those

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that don't know, let's talk

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about that.

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Heather Lothes: Yeah.

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And I loved your first question.

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So CFT is the powerhouse behind

North Texas Giving Day, and it

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is a regional initiative for

giving it's a giving campaign.

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Yes.

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And why it got started, it, well,

let's start with time started in

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2009, so we're, you know, sweet 16.

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Mm-hmm.

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So essentially got started to just

raise awareness of our local nonprofits

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and the good work they're doing, but

also so many of our nonprofit friends

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are running on a shoestring budget.

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Yeah.

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How many have thrown an event

and it's just so costly, but

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this campaign is a light lift.

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Of course, there's a registration fee

that helps power the, the powerhouse or

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sure of what North Texas Giving Day is.

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And it started as just a day, just

a day of philanthropy, if you will,

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to acknowledge these nonprofits and

help them, help lift them up, not

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only in just dollars, but awareness.

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What are they doing?

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What is.

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You know, not many people

know that certain organization

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in Kaufman County is there.

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Mm-hmm.

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And so then it has grown.

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And so, I'm gonna look down at

my note, 'cause I, you know,

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numbers, we gotta be factual.

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Wendy Kidd: Yes, please.

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Heather Lothes: Over a $635

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million since this has started, has been

deployed into North Texas nonprofits.

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Wow.

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That's a 20 county Geograph

geographic space mm-hmm.

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In North Texas.

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So it covers 20 counties, 3,300 North

Texas nonprofits are participating.

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And last year we raised over $70 million

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Wendy Kidd: In one period?

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In one period, in one time period.

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This North Texas Giving Day time period.

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Heather Lothes: Yeah.

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Wendy Kidd: Wow.

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Heather Lothes: A hundred percent of

the donations go to the organizations.

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I just want to emphasize that

'cause I know that sometimes there

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can be, a little, I just want

to provide clarity around that.

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Wendy Kidd: Yes, absolutely.

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Heather Lothes: A hundred percent of

the donations goes to the nonprofit.

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We've had a generous sponsor this year.

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Credit card fees are, are being

covered, so no credit card fees,

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Wendy Kidd: which is

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amazing.

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Can I just point out to all of our

listeners that right there, the

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fees for just taking credit cards?

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It can be anywhere from three

to 6% for every transaction.

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And it's, that is the money

that the nonprofit does not get.

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Mm-hmm.

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Just out the gate, just

because they accepted your

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dollars, they're already down.

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Right.

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6%.

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And you guys got a sponsor to take

care of that, and that is the number

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one reason nonprofits should make sure

they're taking money through this.

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Period.

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Heather Lothes: Absolutely.

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Just for that.

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And I want to highlight we

are always innovating, right?

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Yes.

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Like I said, it started as a day.

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We now do, early giving

starts on August 28th.

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Wendy Kidd: Yes.

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It's coming

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up.

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We're like, it's, it's kind

of like, well, I say it's

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coming up because it is for us

today, but when this drops, it

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will have already started y'all.

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Well,

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it's kind.

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So go visit the website.

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Yes.

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Heather Lothes: You

know, it's coming soon.

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Mm-hmm.

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And we love it.

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We are all in.

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But additionally it's just that

awareness factor, but also, well,

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I do want to highlight register.

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Mm-hmm.

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But as the, as you said this, this will

drop after that registration closes.

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Nonprofits will also be able

to see their donor list.

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And I want to highlight that.

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That's huge because sometimes people

think like, oh, we won't see it.

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Yes.

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You'll, you have access.

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On the website, we provide all kinds

of toolkits from donor acknowledgement

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letters of, you know, just appreciation.

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Thank you for your gift to, yeah.

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Social media guides just helping

you just with a draft Yes.

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To start.

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'cause sometimes, you know,

writer's block happens or you are.

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You are a nonprofit, like I say, going

back to that, like you're trying to boil

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the ocean, you may be a, that's a good

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way to look at it.

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Yes.

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Yeah.

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You may

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be a mighty team of one or one volunteer.

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Yes.

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And so it's just a way to just lift

these nonprofits, provide that awareness.

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I love the fact that you can,

our website is filterable.

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You know, you can.

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Hone in your, maybe your passion is

a equine therapy in Collin County.

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Mm-hmm.

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And you can filter through

our, through our website.

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And that website is actually open 365.

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Yes.

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So year round.

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Yes.

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Wendy Kidd: I love, I'm just gonna say

this to all our listeners, if you have

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not visited northtexasgivingday.org,

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the filters on this website are

fantastic because I can go in there

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and go, I just need to recommend.

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Yes.

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'cause so and so said they wanted

a, a nonprofit that's for this

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cause you can go in and filter by

cause, you can go in and filter

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by who's running a campaign right

then, who needs money right then.

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You can go in and filter by who has

a matching gift so that you know that

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your dollars are being maximized.

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This is a fabulous website and it's also

a fabulous website for the nonprofits.

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Yes, because there is an

entire nonprofit resources hub.

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Absolutely.

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And it is, it's overwhelming if

you are brand new to the game.

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I fully understand that.

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It goes into way too much detail on

things if you've never done this before,

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now if you've done this before, you

appreciate the detail because there's so

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many more new resources for people Yes.

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In maximizing North Texas Giving Day.

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But I, it's just something that I think

everyone should take, take 20 minutes.

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I'm not gonna say it's five minutes.

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It's a 20 minute deep dive.

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Yeah.

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Go to the nonprofit Resources Hub

as a nonprofit and understand all

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your options and all the freebies

they're giving you to help you

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set up for success for this event.

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Heather Lothes: Absolutely.

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And again, like we said,

don't boil the ocean.

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Yeah.

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Pick, pick a lane.

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You know, there's, these

are merely suggestions.

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Yes.

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So, you know, the, some people can

feel very overwhelmed and while

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that's not the goal, we don't

want to ever overwhelm anyone.

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We want them to feel equipped and,

you know, strong for this, you

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know, mighty campaign, if you will.

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Yes.

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But I would say, you know, pick a

lane, back to the boil the ocean.

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Yes.

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Don't boil the ocean.

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You know, pick.

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Share your story on your webpage,

your North Texas Giving Day webpage.

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Is there a need you're trying to

meet within your organization?

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What's the focus of your campaign?

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Yes.

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Lots of great stories have come out.

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One of my favorites is an

organization sports oriented, and

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they needed a golf cart and a golf

cart company came through for them.

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So they were able to, I mean, get a

need met and keep raising money to apply

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that, those dollars somewhere else.

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Mm-hmm.

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Which was super exciting.

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So it's kind of that, like we've talked

about awareness, the light bulb goes off.

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People don't know until you tell 'em.

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Wendy Kidd: Absolutely.

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Absolutely.

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So tell us, when are the dates for

North Texas Giving Day this year?

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Heather Lothes: Love this.

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Okay, so early giving

opens on August 28th.

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That just means that maybe you

are a planner and you have already

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vetted and looked at the website.

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You've filtered down, you

know your favorite nonprofit

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organizations, you've made your list.

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You can deploy those gifts, or

you can deploy a gift every day.

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We'll, you know, there's,

this is creative.

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You do what you want.

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Sure.

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The actual giving day is

Thursday, September 18th, or as

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I like to kind of play around

with it and call it Super Bowl.

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It's Super Bowl Day.

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It's Super

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Bowl day.

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Yes.

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So

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fun.

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But I'd like to tell you about a couple

giving day events We are happening.

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Wendy Kidd: Yes, please.

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Heather Lothes: So first one.

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Is our fifth annual Scheel's event,

and it is on September 13th from five

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to nine inflatables come out, get,

bring the family, help your kids get

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to understand what a nonprofit is.

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Yes.

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There will be multiple, I

think over 20 nonprofits there.

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And that gets your kids involved and

helping them understand how nonprofits

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lift or provide community service

not only like volunteer hours, but

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what do they, how do they supply

345

: 00:12:52

Help in direct services, but what

else are they doing for the community?

346

: 00:12:56

Your kids will.

347

: 00:12:57

Be educated, which is amazing.

348

: 00:12:59

Mm-hmm.

349

: 00:13:00

But also they get to meet the organiz,

the people behind the organizations.

350

: 00:13:04

Right.

351

: 00:13:04

Also Emerald City is playing.

352

: 00:13:06

Oh, nice.

353

: 00:13:07

So five to nine Scheel's on the

lawn right behind @Scheel's.

354

: 00:13:11

Wendy Kidd: Just so my listeners

understand, Emerald City Band is one

355

: 00:13:13

of the most popular band bands in DFW.

356

: 00:13:16

They only play at events.

357

: 00:13:18

They are amazing.

358

: 00:13:19

They are

359

: 00:13:19

incredible.

360

: 00:13:20

Heather Lothes: Yes.

361

: 00:13:20

The Downtown Dallas Day of Giving

on September 15th, and it's an

362

: 00:13:24

opportunity to give where you live.

363

: 00:13:26

So again, kind of similar to Scheel's,

there will be the Scheel's event.

364

: 00:13:31

There will be several nonprofits out,

and then I, you know, little teaser

365

: 00:13:35

are along as we open up that early

giving day on August 28th, there

366

: 00:13:39

will be surprises along the way.

367

: 00:13:42

Oh, interesting.

368

: 00:13:43

I'm excited.

369

: 00:13:44

So, so stay tuned.

370

: 00:13:45

Yeah.

371

: 00:13:45

Always a fun time.

372

: 00:13:46

Yeah.

373

: 00:13:47

Yeah, this will be goal, I would

say an early giving and on day

374

: 00:13:50

of, and maybe perhaps another

one on this on September 15th.

375

: 00:13:54

Wendy Kidd: Okay.

376

: 00:13:54

I am so excited about this.

377

: 00:13:55

Yeah.

378

: 00:13:55

So we should just follow social

media for North Texas Giving Day.

379

: 00:13:57

Yes.

380

: 00:13:57

Yes.

381

: 00:13:58

So we can learn about these surprises.

382

: 00:13:59

Yes, please.

383

: 00:14:00

Okay.

384

: 00:14:00

All right.

385

: 00:14:01

Absolutely.

386

: 00:14:01

I, I'm down to do that.

387

: 00:14:02

I'm absolutely gonna be an avid

fan of the social media feed.

388

: 00:14:05

So, something that I have kind

of talked about with nonprofits

389

: 00:14:09

is I feel like there's more than

just money, that is their benefit.

390

: 00:14:13

So from your perspective at CFT, what

makes North Texas Giving Day so impactful

391

: 00:14:17

for local nonprofits and the community?

392

: 00:14:19

Heather Lothes: Yeah, great question.

393

: 00:14:20

So, you know, it said to me a long

time ago what is a philanthropist?

394

: 00:14:24

And it's not just dollars,

it's time advocacy and support.

395

: 00:14:28

And yes.

396

: 00:14:29

At times there are, you know,

that financial support given.

397

: 00:14:32

Mm-hmm.

398

: 00:14:33

So, how does North Texas giving

Day partner in that space?

399

: 00:14:36

Well, one, back to that awareness,

but also you as an individual or

400

: 00:14:41

your organization or your family

businesses come together and also

401

: 00:14:47

you can be able to raise awareness

for your now your favorite nonprofit.

402

: 00:14:51

You can partner in sharing

those s ocial media shares.

403

: 00:14:55

Yes.

404

: 00:14:55

You can help your network

understand that this organization

405

: 00:15:00

is near and dear to my heart.

406

: 00:15:01

Here's why.

407

: 00:15:02

Would love to share it with you.

408

: 00:15:04

But also, like you said, it's

not just dollars, it's time.

409

: 00:15:07

You will learn about the nonprofit

itself and they'll also share

410

: 00:15:11

like what their needs are.

411

: 00:15:13

Maybe they need more volunteers mm-hmm.

412

: 00:15:15

Or help running a supply drive.

413

: 00:15:17

Mm-hmm.

414

: 00:15:17

And so that's one of my very

favorite things of just getting

415

: 00:15:20

to marry those two worlds.

416

: 00:15:22

Wendy Kidd: Absolutely.

417

: 00:15:22

That's what I always tell the

nonprofits about North Texas Giving

418

: 00:15:25

Day, is that you guys are creating

this big wave of momentum with it.

419

: 00:15:30

Yeah.

420

: 00:15:30

And they just need to ride that wave.

421

: 00:15:31

Yeah.

422

: 00:15:32

Because they're not only gonna

get donations out of this, right.

423

: 00:15:34

They're gonna get new eyes on their

organization because the major

424

: 00:15:38

marketing that you do for this event.

425

: 00:15:39

Yeah.

426

: 00:15:40

They need to capture those eyes

and they need to turn those into

427

: 00:15:43

donors, but also volunteers.

428

: 00:15:45

Absolutely.

429

: 00:15:45

They need to turn them into

the talent that they need.

430

: 00:15:48

So maybe they need board members.

431

: 00:15:49

Correct.

432

: 00:15:49

Maybe they need a lawyer on their board.

433

: 00:15:52

Exactly.

434

: 00:15:52

Or an event planner or whatever.

435

: 00:15:55

Right.

436

: 00:15:55

Once they get more eyes on

their nonprofit, they can.

437

: 00:15:58

Find those other resources in the

community that the community members

438

: 00:16:02

would've never found them otherwise.

439

: 00:16:03

A hundred percent right, because

maybe that is such a small nonprofit,

440

: 00:16:06

they don't have a marketing budget.

441

: 00:16:07

That's right.

442

: 00:16:08

All they got is they're in a

Instagram channel and thats it.

443

: 00:16:10

Exactly.

444

: 00:16:11

So if they are tagging you guys,

if they're tagging North Texas

445

: 00:16:14

giving day in their posts, they're

getting caught up in that momentum.

446

: 00:16:17

Absolutely.

447

: 00:16:17

So they're getting more eyes.

448

: 00:16:19

And of course I'm a systems

girl, so I'm teaching them Yes.

449

: 00:16:22

Here's, here's how to capture that.

450

: 00:16:23

Yes.

451

: 00:16:23

Here's how to make sure that you're

maximizing that and you're building

452

: 00:16:26

relationship with these new eyes.

453

: 00:16:27

Yeah.

454

: 00:16:28

So that these new eyes can

decide, do I want to be involved

455

: 00:16:31

with this organization and how

456

: 00:16:32

Yes, absolutely.

457

: 00:16:33

Right.

458

: 00:16:34

So what advice do you have for

nonprofits looking to maximize

459

: 00:16:38

their success on this giving day?

460

: 00:16:39

Heather Lothes: Yeah, absolutely.

461

: 00:16:41

So first off, I want to say utilize

your donor list to get the word out.

462

: 00:16:47

Mm-hmm.

463

: 00:16:48

Make sure, obviously make sure

you've registered, but make

464

: 00:16:50

sure your webpage is fresh.

465

: 00:16:52

Mm-hmm.

466

: 00:16:52

If you serve more than one

area, be sure to list that yes.

467

: 00:16:55

Some people kind of focus, maybe they

focus on where their headquartered

468

: 00:16:59

because of that filterable search.

469

: 00:17:01

Mm-hmm.

470

: 00:17:01

You can, you can kind of miss some things.

471

: 00:17:04

Additionally, read our website.

472

: 00:17:06

We provide all these toolkits.

473

: 00:17:08

We provide support.

474

: 00:17:10

The, my favorite thing about why

we do North Texas Giving Day is

475

: 00:17:13

it's a, it should be a low lift.

476

: 00:17:15

Mm-hmm.

477

: 00:17:15

But you get to make it yours.

478

: 00:17:17

Yes.

479

: 00:17:17

It's a, it's a campaign with just a, like

I said, there's a, a, an entry fee, but.

480

: 00:17:23

We provide you all the tools,

you just have to pick them up.

481

: 00:17:26

Wendy Kidd: And we're talking

about a small fee, correct?

482

: 00:17:27

Correct.

483

: 00:17:28

'cause you base it based on their

operational budget, correct?

484

: 00:17:30

Right.

485

: 00:17:30

Yes.

486

: 00:17:31

And like the minimum fee is $50.

487

: 00:17:32

That's

488

: 00:17:32

Heather Lothes: right.

489

: 00:17:33

Wendy Kidd: $50.

490

: 00:17:34

50.

491

: 00:17:34

That's not much guys.

492

: 00:17:35

And I, I actually had a nonprofit

ask me how do I even get the $50?

493

: 00:17:38

'cause I don't have it.

494

: 00:17:40

I said, call your friends.

495

: 00:17:41

Yeah.

496

: 00:17:41

Post on social media that this could be

such a game changer for your organization.

497

: 00:17:45

Get a donor,

498

: 00:17:46

Heather Lothes: get it

499

: 00:17:46

Wendy Kidd: a match to pay, pay $50.

500

: 00:17:48

Yes.

501

: 00:17:48

It's, it's not ask, it's not a big ask.

502

: 00:17:50

No.

503

: 00:17:51

It's not a big ask to ask for $50.

504

: 00:17:53

And you may feel like you have used all

your friends, but if you are willing

505

: 00:17:57

to reach out to your network Yeah.

506

: 00:17:59

Give somebody that opportunity to say yes.

507

: 00:18:01

Yeah,

508

: 00:18:02

Heather Lothes: absolutely.

509

: 00:18:02

You know, I would say ask for a match too.

510

: 00:18:04

Mm-hmm.

511

: 00:18:05

Additionally, I say, I try to

empower, I say leverage your board.

512

: 00:18:09

Leverage the folks who are very passionate

about your organization as well.

513

: 00:18:13

Mm-hmm.

514

: 00:18:13

That can be your ambassadors.

515

: 00:18:15

If you create a post, just ask them

to share it with their network.

516

: 00:18:18

Absolutely.

517

: 00:18:18

Signs are also powerful.

518

: 00:18:20

We have a new sign this

year that it's eco-friendly.

519

: 00:18:23

I saw the sign.

520

: 00:18:24

It's so pretty.

521

: 00:18:24

Yeah.

522

: 00:18:24

Evergreen.

523

: 00:18:25

And on the top there, you, there's

a space where you can put a QR

524

: 00:18:28

code or your company, or excuse

me, your organization's logo.

525

: 00:18:32

Wendy Kidd: Mm-hmm.

526

: 00:18:32

Heather Lothes: Why is that important?

527

: 00:18:33

Well, if I'm a board member of

said organization, my neighbor may

528

: 00:18:37

not have known that I was a, I'm

a board member and that I truly am

529

: 00:18:42

passionate about this organization.

530

: 00:18:43

Guess what?

531

: 00:18:44

We just found another, another

supporter because yes, a lot of

532

: 00:18:47

times people give because you give.

533

: 00:18:49

Exactly.

534

: 00:18:49

Wendy Kidd: Yeah.

535

: 00:18:49

If you believe in the cause, the

people who believe in you will

536

: 00:18:52

Heather Lothes: also believe

537

: 00:18:52

Wendy Kidd: in your cause.

538

: 00:18:53

Absolutely.

539

: 00:18:53

It's connect or trust you all.

540

: 00:18:54

So

541

: 00:18:54

Heather Lothes: whatever you say.

542

: 00:18:56

Absolutely.

543

: 00:18:56

Also the power of text.

544

: 00:18:57

If you draft a text and say, can

you just send this to 10 friends?

545

: 00:19:00

Whether it's just, I want

you to know about mm-hmm.

546

: 00:19:03

Said organization or could you

potentially, you know, partner with me

547

: 00:19:07

in, in supporting this organization?

548

: 00:19:09

Yeah.

549

: 00:19:10

The power of suggestion,

550

: 00:19:11

Wendy Kidd: I'm gonna make this

551

: 00:19:12

really simple guys.

552

: 00:19:12

I want you to go to ChatGPT and I want you

to say, Hey, how do I say to my friends,

553

: 00:19:17

if you are aware, North Texas Giving Day

is happening and I want you to know about

554

: 00:19:21

a nonprofit that I'm choosing to support.

555

: 00:19:23

Yes.

556

: 00:19:23

Just wanted you to know about 'em.

557

: 00:19:25

Absolutely.

558

: 00:19:25

Here's the link.

559

: 00:19:26

Let them decide if they're

gonna Absolutely contribute

560

: 00:19:28

cash or talent or time to this.

561

: 00:19:30

Yeah.

562

: 00:19:31

But just making people aware of

the organization is part of this.

563

: 00:19:34

Absolutely.

564

: 00:19:35

So, and, and I'm gonna add to

add on to what you just said.

565

: 00:19:38

Yeah.

566

: 00:19:38

Something that I think nonprofits

sometimes forget to do is

567

: 00:19:42

follow up after the event.

568

: 00:19:44

Heather Lothes: Absolutely.

569

: 00:19:44

And I think

570

: 00:19:45

Wendy Kidd: that's , the thing that

if they were to just take the time,

571

: 00:19:47

and I'm gonna tell you nonprofits

as you're listening to me right

572

: 00:19:50

now, please go onto your calendar

and block off September 19th.

573

: 00:19:54

Yes.

574

: 00:19:55

Because I want you to, you

know, get a little rest.

575

: 00:19:57

Yes.

576

: 00:19:57

And then I want you to also block off

September 20th because I want you to spend

577

: 00:20:01

September 20th sending a text message or

a handwritten note and saying thank you.

578

: 00:20:05

Absolutely.

579

: 00:20:06

Because the minute you do,

you have built a relationship.

580

: 00:20:09

Absolutely.

581

: 00:20:10

Heather Lothes: And, and share.

582

: 00:20:11

Share.

583

: 00:20:12

Yes.

584

: 00:20:12

Share information about your organization.

585

: 00:20:14

Perhaps you might find

your lead volunteer.

586

: 00:20:16

Wendy Kidd: Well share what

587

: 00:20:17

happened.

588

: 00:20:17

Yeah.

589

: 00:20:17

Share and say, Hey, we met our goal.

590

: 00:20:19

Thank you.

591

: 00:20:20

You were part of this.

592

: 00:20:20

Hundred percent.

593

: 00:20:21

Make them feel a part

of your organization.

594

: 00:20:23

Yes.

595

: 00:20:23

'cause that's what they want.

596

: 00:20:24

Yes.

597

: 00:20:24

That's why they're giving them money.

598

: 00:20:25

They want to feel part of what's going on.

599

: 00:20:27

And if you drop the ball and don't talk

to these people again, that's on you.

600

: 00:20:32

Yeah.

601

: 00:20:32

Right.

602

: 00:20:32

Because they wanted to talk to you.

603

: 00:20:33

That's why they gave money.

604

: 00:20:34

Heather Lothes: And it's, it

also, it's a wonderful way.

605

: 00:20:37

As a community to come

alongside one another.

606

: 00:20:40

Yes, absolutely.

607

: 00:20:41

In our various lanes, it's, you

know, an opportunity to kind of just

608

: 00:20:47

lift up philanthropy in general.

609

: 00:20:49

Mm-hmm.

610

: 00:20:49

You know, we, we have so

many, we're just all so busy.

611

: 00:20:53

Right?

612

: 00:20:53

It's a great way to just take

a breath and think about these

613

: 00:20:57

organizations who are helping others.

614

: 00:20:59

So yes,

615

: 00:20:59

Wendy Kidd: absolutely.

616

: 00:21:00

We just love that.

617

: 00:21:01

Absolutely.

618

: 00:21:01

So, okay, so we've talked

about North Texas Giving Day.

619

: 00:21:04

Is there anything else you want to

talk about North Texas Giving Day?

620

: 00:21:06

Before I move on to what CFT does,

621

: 00:21:09

Heather Lothes: I want to just say,

come out, come to these events.

622

: 00:21:12

Yes.

623

: 00:21:13

The, you know, if you have, if

you'll just, I want to challenge

624

: 00:21:17

everyone, actually pick 10 people.

625

: 00:21:21

10 people and either tell them

about North Texas Giving Day, which

626

: 00:21:25

is happening on September 18th.

627

: 00:21:27

Mm-hmm.

628

: 00:21:27

Or text 10 people and tell them what

your favorite organization is and why.

629

: 00:21:32

Yes.

630

: 00:21:32

And just simply give them

the power of that suggestion.

631

: 00:21:35

I'm not saying you have to

tell 'em to give, but just

632

: 00:21:37

tell them just a little bit.

633

: 00:21:39

Like, sometimes we just

forget it's happening.

634

: 00:21:41

We're all busy.

635

: 00:21:42

Life happens, but guess what?

636

: 00:21:43

You just, you just helped that

organization more than you'll ever know.

637

: 00:21:46

Wendy Kidd: That's the number one

problem for all nonprofits is awareness.

638

: 00:21:49

Yep.

639

: 00:21:49

Heather Lothes: Absolutely.

640

: 00:21:50

Wendy Kidd: And people not only to

know about the, the nonprofit so that

641

: 00:21:53

they can give to it, but to know about

the nonprofit in case somebody they

642

: 00:21:56

know needs that nonprofit's services.

643

: 00:21:58

Absolutely.

644

: 00:21:58

Right.

645

: 00:21:59

Heather Lothes: Yes.

646

: 00:21:59

Wendy Kidd: And that's the other

big impact I think that North Texas

647

: 00:22:02

Giving Day has is it helps people

know what services are out there.

648

: 00:22:05

Heather Lothes: Exactly.

649

: 00:22:05

And so many are in our backyard.

650

: 00:22:07

Yes.

651

: 00:22:07

So many are in a five mile radius in.

652

: 00:22:11

Oh, I love the point you just made.

653

: 00:22:13

'cause you never know.

654

: 00:22:14

You never know.

655

: 00:22:15

You don't what kind of hard

time you may fall on or your

656

: 00:22:17

neighbor would fall on as service.

657

: 00:22:18

Yeah.

658

: 00:22:18

And you are just being that helper.

659

: 00:22:21

Mm-hmm.

660

: 00:22:22

You're being a helper.

661

: 00:22:22

Yes.

662

: 00:22:22

And we all want to be helpers.

663

: 00:22:23

Absolutely.

664

: 00:22:24

Like Mr.

665

: 00:22:24

Rogers says, I prefer to

666

: 00:22:25

Wendy Kidd: think that we

all look for the helpers.

667

: 00:22:27

Yes.

668

: 00:22:27

Yes.

669

: 00:22:28

Absolutely.

670

: 00:22:29

So, okay.

671

: 00:22:29

Beyond North Texas Giving Day,

what does CFT do to continue to

672

: 00:22:34

support philanthropy and community,

community impact throughout the year?

673

: 00:22:37

Like what else do y'all

do during the year?

674

: 00:22:39

Because I know this is

675

: 00:22:39

not the only thing.

676

: 00:22:40

Heather Lothes: Yes.

677

: 00:22:40

So, at the foundation, a lot

of us say we're multifaceted.

678

: 00:22:44

There's so many things we do.

679

: 00:22:45

One of our major focuses is that

we do house over: 1400

680

: 00:22:50

And the funds are

different in, in styling.

681

: 00:22:53

Our bread and butter is really a

donor advised fund, which is like

682

: 00:22:56

a charitable savings account.

683

: 00:22:57

Mm-hmm.

684

: 00:22:58

We also do grant cycles.

685

: 00:22:59

We focus on we have a discretionary

fund where we have a focus area

686

: 00:23:04

or a cause area, if you will.

687

: 00:23:05

Mm-hmm.

688

: 00:23:06

Maybe it's animals or women's health

and organizations can apply into that.

689

: 00:23:11

And then additionally, we, I personally

work with individuals, families, and

690

: 00:23:15

organizations in their charitable impact.

691

: 00:23:17

And that looks different for everyone.

692

: 00:23:19

Yes.

693

: 00:23:19

Some people are, a lot of it is education.

694

: 00:23:22

Some people know I've loved X,

Y, Z organization my whole life

695

: 00:23:25

and, and here's why and here's how

I want to directly impact them.

696

: 00:23:29

And some, like I said, they don't know.

697

: 00:23:31

Mm-hmm.

698

: 00:23:32

And so it's, it's getting to share.

699

: 00:23:34

What's important to them and how

they can be a help to a, a nonprofit.

700

: 00:23:39

With a donor advised fund, you

can only give it to a 5 0 1 C3.

701

: 00:23:42

Wendy Kidd: Mm-hmm.

702

: 00:23:43

Heather Lothes: And so

that's kind of special.

703

: 00:23:44

'cause like I said, it's a

charitable savings account.

704

: 00:23:46

You pick, you pick the

organization, you give it to.

705

: 00:23:49

And then you can also

designate where it goes.

706

: 00:23:52

So it can be general use or

it can be for said campaign.

707

: 00:23:55

Mm-hmm.

708

: 00:23:56

You can also do it in honor or

memorial of someone you see a lot

709

: 00:23:59

of times in lieu of flowers and X,

Y, Z organization a, a donation.

710

: 00:24:03

Wendy Kidd: Mm-hmm.

711

: 00:24:04

Heather Lothes: And then additionally

it's, we have a philanthropy team

712

: 00:24:07

that is incredible and they work with

nonprofits, they get to know them.

713

: 00:24:11

We provide philanthropic, advising

where we will share those organizations.

714

: 00:24:16

So, Wendy, if you loved, you know,

equine therapy in Collin County mm-hmm.

715

: 00:24:20

We will come together and provide

that list of organizations.

716

: 00:24:24

And then if you want to go visit it, we

will, we'll walk out there with you and we

717

: 00:24:27

will, the, the organization will tell you

what they need, which is really special.

718

: 00:24:31

Wendy Kidd: Yeah.

719

: 00:24:31

Heather Lothes: And then we also

are a mouthpiece and a partner in.

720

: 00:24:34

And making good happen

is what I like to say.

721

: 00:24:37

Yeah.

722

: 00:24:37

Wendy Kidd: Yeah.

723

: 00:24:38

I love that.

724

: 00:24:38

Thank you.

725

: 00:24:39

And that's why I like CFT.

726

: 00:24:40

Heather Lothes: Oh, thank you.

727

: 00:24:41

We

728

: 00:24:41

love

729

: 00:24:41

you.

730

: 00:24:41

We're so just a good organization.

731

: 00:24:43

Thank you.

732

: 00:24:45

Thank you.

733

: 00:24:45

Wendy Kidd: Love fest here on the podcast.

734

: 00:24:48

Well, what else should we know about CFT?

735

: 00:24:50

Is there anything that we haven't talked

about that you want to talk about?

736

: 00:24:52

Heather Lothes: Yeah, so we

do have many cause campaigns

737

: 00:24:55

going on throughout the year.

738

: 00:24:56

Mm-hmm.

739

: 00:24:57

Which is, again, everything we do is a, is

a light shining on our nonprofit partners.

740

: 00:25:01

And then additionally day of

We of North Texas Giving Day.

741

: 00:25:06

Look for the media.

742

: 00:25:08

I mean, you're gonna see, not

us, but you're gonna see some

743

: 00:25:11

really special nonprofits.

744

: 00:25:13

Mm-hmm.

745

: 00:25:14

And again, also, we are

boots on the ground.

746

: 00:25:17

So we are here thinking and working

with leaders and partners to

747

: 00:25:21

address pressing community needs.

748

: 00:25:23

We are here to think and,

and come alongside in it.

749

: 00:25:28

Yeah.

750

: 00:25:28

Wendy Kidd: I know that you guys

were a big help when the shooting

751

: 00:25:31

happened in Allen, so I, I think that.

752

: 00:25:33

People need to understand that y'all

really are boots on the ground because

753

: 00:25:36

when stuff happens, you're here.

754

: 00:25:38

Correct?

755

: 00:25:39

Yes.

756

: 00:25:39

And you're here when there's

not stuff that happens.

757

: 00:25:41

Yes.

758

: 00:25:41

But you're also have very key

resources in those disasters.

759

: 00:25:45

Heather Lothes: Correct.

760

: 00:25:45

So, yeah.

761

: 00:25:45

We'll,

762

: 00:25:46

we'll be steady, but we'll also activate.

763

: 00:25:48

As As needed.

764

: 00:25:50

Mm-hmm.

765

: 00:25:50

To come alongside and and support

our community in those times.

766

: 00:25:54

Yeah.

767

: 00:25:54

Yeah.

768

: 00:25:55

Absolutely.

769

: 00:25:56

Wendy Kidd: Well, thank you so much

for coming on the show today, Heather.

770

: 00:25:58

Of course.

771

: 00:25:58

I really appreciate you coming in.

772

: 00:25:59

Well, thank you.

773

: 00:26:00

And helping people understand more about

CFT, what it does, and also about North

774

: 00:26:03

Texas Giving Day and how it benefits

nonprofits and community members.

775

: 00:26:08

Heather Lothes: Well, thank you and

thank you for being a partner with us.

776

: 00:26:10

Of course.

777

: 00:26:11

And also just.

778

: 00:26:12

This time and this

opportunity to share more.

779

: 00:26:14

Absolutely.

780

: 00:26:15

I appreciate that so much.

781

: 00:26:16

A partnership of, of like hearted.

782

: 00:26:20

Folks in our community.

783

: 00:26:21

Wendy Kidd: Absolutely.

784

: 00:26:22

Yeah.

785

: 00:26:22

All right.

786

: 00:26:23

Well thanks guys.

787

: 00:26:24

We will see you next time and

give on North Texas Giving Day.

788

: 00:26:30

Thanks for listening

to The NonProfit Nook.

789

: 00:26:32

We're building better nonprofits together.

790

: 00:26:34

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791

: 00:26:37

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792

: 00:26:41

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793

: 00:26:45

list for extra tips and updates.

794

: 00:26:47

You can also visit The NonProfit Nook.com

795

: 00:26:50

to see the show notes and leave a comment

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796

: 00:26:55

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797

: 00:26:57

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