<img class="alignright" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/nonprofit/1/3/l/F/-/-/robinhoodhurricanvols2.jpg" alt="Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund volunteers helping clean to up." />

<p>The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.robinhood.org/rhsandy"> Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund</a> (part of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.robinhood.org/">Robin Hood Foundation</a>) has been one of the most successful fundraisers in the aftermath of last fall's massive storm.

<p>The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://brooklyn.about.com/b/2012/12/18/12-12-12-sandy-concert-raised-50-million-for-relief-recovery-largest-ever-concert-at-madison-square-garden.htm">Concert for Sandy Relief</a> on December 12, 2012 raised $50 million to address the after effects of the storm in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas.

<p>But Robin Hood raised even more money, bringing the total to $70.5 million.

<p>Now, the fund has finished paying out 100% of the money raised, making 494 grants to 391 organizations involved in helping communities and individuals recover from the devastating storm. The Robin Hood Relief Fund's board of directors pays all overhead costs of raising the money they grant. That's why all of the money raised actually goes to the grantees.


<p>Here are some stats from the organization's press release:
<ul>
<li>44% of the funds went to organizations in New Jersey, 38% to New York City, 16% to Long Island/NY state, and 2% to Connecticut.
<li>57% of the funds went to housing-related programs
<li>the Concert for Sandy Relief brought in contributions from 260,000 individuals from 90 countries. The concert was the most successful relief concert in history.
</ul>

<p>A complete list of all grants made, their geographic distribution, and additional information can be found at the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.robinhood.org/rhsandy">Robin Hood Foundation site</a>.

<p>Read more about disaster relief at <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://nonprofit.about.com/od/safecharitablegiving/qt/Dos-And-Do-Not-Of-Helping-During-A-Disaster.htm">The Dos and Don'ts of Helping in a Disaster</a>.

<p><i>Photo: Volunteers cleaning up after the storm. Courtesy of the Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund</i>

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If you’ve been following the Major Gifts Challenge, we’re getting closer and closer to asking for a gift. And if you haven’t been following along, it’s never too late to start! Let’s take another quick look at the four stages of the fundraising cycle. 1. Identification Congratulations! You’ve already identified your top prospective donors. 2.… <a href="http://www.tripointfundraising.com/getting-a-major-gift-moving-from-cultivation-to-the-ask/">Continue »</a>

<img class="alignright" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/nonprofit/1/3/k/F/-/-/imagesreportcover.jpg" alt="Cover of Seeing Is Believing" />

<p>The latest guide to using imagery to promote your cause is one of the best I've seen. It is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.resource-media.org/visual-story-lab/report/#prettyPhoto">Seeing Is Believing</a> from VisualStoryLab by Resource Media. You can download it free of charge.

<p>I like this guide especially because it not only showcases some wonderful images but lays out its tips clearly and effectively. Here are some that I thought were particularly helpful:

<ul>
<li><b>Don't just trust your own emotional reaction</b> to a particular image. It might well mean something very different to someone else. It could in fact contradict the message you hope to convey. So test it before you send it out to everyone.
<li><b>Combine images with words</b> for a bigger impact and more stickiness.
<li><b>Be specific, not generic</b>. Stock images are generic. Your own images are much more likely to be authentic.
<li><b>Record images constantly</b>. Your organization must get set up to capture images of all the people and activities that matter in your work. Once recorded, store them in an organized way so you can retrieve them easily
<li><b>Go first for people and emotions</b>. We're wired to respond to faces, especially eyes.
</ul>

<p>The Visual Storytelling Guide also explains how to craft your visual goals, develop your cause's visual story, and shares a checklist for you to follow.

<p>Check out <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.resource-media.org/visual-story-lab/report/#prettyPhoto">this guide</a> before you take or use another image.

<p>Thanks to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com/comments/must_see_fabulous_guide_to_visual_storytelling">Katya Andresen</a> for pointing me to this resource.

<p>Read more about images at <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://nonprofit.about.com/b/2013/03/06/emmas-5-tips-for-better-email-images.htm">Emma's 5 Tips for Better Email Images</a>

<p><i>Image: Cover of Seeing Is Believing</i>
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