How to unite a team of supporters around an NPO
Instructions for setting up a club
Non-profit organizations often lack resources to realize their mission and implement socially significant projects. At the same time, many NPOs have a community of people who are not indifferent and are ready to provide support. One of the effective ways to consolidate such an audience is to create a special club of NPO supporters and partners.

The club allows for regular involvement of like-minded people in the organization's activities, obtaining necessary resources and expertise, as well as forming a circle of loyal friends of the NPO. Club members can promote, attract new supporters, and participate in the organization's projects.

Creating an effective and sustainable club is a serious task that requires a clear understanding of goals, selection of work formats, development of the program and activities. In our article we will look in detail at how to competently plan and launch a club of NPO supporters so that it really benefits the organization's activities.

Let's start with a brief definition. Clubs for non-profit organizations are associations of people who share the values and interests of an NPO and are ready to provide it with regular financial, expert, informational or other support.
Here are the main reasons why NPOs should create their own clubs of supporters and partners:
  • Additional source of funding. Club members pay dues, which are used to finance NPO activities.
  • Obtaining professional expertise from members. For example, legal, accounting, marketing.
  • Attracting new supporters and donors. Club members promote NPOs in their circles by attracting like-minded people.
  • PR and promotion of NPOs. Club participants become informal ambassadors of the organization.
  • Involvement of volunteers. Active audience of the club can participate in volunteer projects of NPOs.
  • New partnerships and collaborations. NPOs can find partner organizations through the club.
  • Retention of NPO supporters. Constant communication allows to retain the audience.
  • Feedback and ideas from the community. A platform for communication of like-minded people.
Thus, clubs make it possible to attract resources and support for NPO activities on an ongoing basis.

If you do not like the word "club", you can find some synonyms. The main thing is that the name should reflect the essence of the association - people who share the NPO's values and are ready to provide ongoing support in different formats. You can use a creative approach when choosing a name so that it is attractive and reflects the specifics of your organization. Here are some unifying options: Community, Alliance, League, Association, Commonwealth, Circle, Council, Committee, Guild, Workshop.
Before you start working on a community, it's worth thinking through the basic steps. In one of our articles, we'll look at the CommunityCanvas approach, which will reinforce each of the steps below.
№1. Determine the purpose of the Club
It is necessary to clearly understand why an NCO needs this Club. The purpose may be to attract funding, to find experts and consultants, to involve volunteers, to promote NCO activities. It is important to formulate 1-2 main objectives.
№2. Identify target audiences and segments
Analyze who might be interested in participating in the Club and what you want to get from them. They can be donors, volunteers, journalists, bloggers, experts in the right fields. It is necessary to segment the target audience.
№3. Develop a value proposition for participants
Consider what benefits will accrue to Club members. This could be access to exclusive information, the opportunity to attend private events, networking with like-minded people, publicizing their activities, etc.
№4. Determine the format of the club
Choose whether it will be an offline club with regular meetings or an online community. Or a combination of the two.
№5. To think through the program and activities of the Club
Develop a plan for regular activities - meetings, conferences, webinars, volunteer activities, etc. It is important to keep the audience interested.
№6. Develop a loyalty system for participants
To come up with privileges and incentives for active Club members. These can be discounts, gifts, statuses, bonuses.
№7. Identify sources of participant involvement
Think through channels to find your target audience - social networks, media, partners, personal contacts, events.
№8. Think through the budget and monetization model of the Club
Calculate expenses and income from the Club. Income options - membership fees, paid events, sponsorship of partners.
№9. Develop a plan to promote the Club
Plan how and where you will inform target audiences about the Club launch, attract members.
Thus, at each stage, the concept of the Club should be made as specific and detailed as possible.
A team will be required for an NPO supporters' club to operate effectively. The optimal size of the team depends on the scale of the club's activities. There may be 1-2 employees at the start. The main thing is to clearly assign responsibilities. Let's look at potential roles and functionality.
  • Club Manager. Responsible for strategy development, activity planning, general management.
  • Manager for work with club members. Responsible for maintaining the base of participants, communication with them, motivation.
  • Special Events Manager. Organizes club meetings, conferences, webinars and other activities.
  • SMM manager. Promotion of the club and its activities in social networks, work with reputation.
  • Partnership manager (fundraiser). Search for partners and sponsors for the club's projects.
  • Accountant. Maintaining the club's finances and reporting.
  • Digital specialist. Maintaining the club's website, mailing lists, online activities.
  • Volunteers from among the club assets. Assistance in organizing events.
Creating your own club of like-minded people can be a powerful resource for the development of a non-profit organization. It allows consolidating around an NPO a community of people who are not indifferent and are ready to provide regular support.

The key tasks in forming a club are defining clear goals, selecting activity formats, and developing a value proposition and program for participants. It is equally important to think through a system of motivation for participants and their constant involvement.

To launch the club, you will need to form a working team that will be responsible for attracting participants, organizing events, communication and promotion. A competent approach will transform the club from a one-time event into an effective channel for obtaining stable resources for NPO development.