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Fieldstone Alliance: Newsletter Reader Survey Results

Nonprofit Tools You Can Use
e-Newsletter Reader Survey Results

In the summer of 2007, we asked readers of our e-newsletter to give us their feedback. There were 30 responses. Here are the questions and the results:

1. How long have you been receiving our online newsletter?
Less than 1 month graph bar 10.3%
1-6 months graph bar 20.7%
6-12 months graph bar 24.1%
More than 1 year graph bar 34.5%
Don't recall graph bar 10.3%
2. How do you typically read the newsletter?
Scan table of contents and read if it looks relevant graph bar 36.7%
Scan the text graph bar 26.7%
Read entire newsletter graph bar 36.7%
3. How often do you forward the newsletter to other people?
Never graph bar 26.7%
A few times graph bar 46.7%
Often graph bar 23.3%
Always graph bar 3.3%
4. How often do you print it out to show to other people?
Never graph bar 46.7%
A few times graph bar 36.7%
Often graph bar 16.7%
Always   0.0%
5. How often do you discuss the contents of the newsletter with other people?
Never   0.0%
A few times graph bar 86.7%
Often graph bar 13.3%
Always   0.0%
6. How often do you use the contents to help train others?
Never graph bar 26.7%
A few times graph bar 56.7%
Often graph bar 16.7%
Always   0.0%
7. Please rate your interest in each of these items: 1 Least interested 2 3 4 Most interested Rating Average
A tool, such as a worksheet, inventory, or other item I can use at work 7.1% 7.1% 21.4% 64.3% 3.43
Trends in the nonprofit sector 3.4% 6.9% 31.0% 58.6% 3.45
Case examples to illustrate a point being made in the text 0.0% 10.7% 28.6% 60.7% 3.50 
Cartoons that use humor to illustrate a point being made in the text 20.0% 40.0% 23.3% 16.7% 2.37 
Graphs or charts that illustrate a point being made in the text 6.7% 16.7% 56.7% 20.0% 2.90 
Other responses:

Ways to implement radical political ideas in the non-profit/public world

List of books or other tools to further research the point being made in the text

Reference materials listed that relate to the article (longer articles, books, etc. on the same or related topic)
8. Please rate your interest in these subjects: 1 Least interested 2 3 4 Most interested Rating Average
Community building 3.6% 14.3% 39.3% 42.9% 3.21 
Collaboration 0.0% 10.7% 32.1% 57.1% 3.46 
Nonprofit management 3.3% 0.0% 33.3% 63.3% 3.57
Boards/governance 0.0% 13.8% 34.5% 51.7% 3.38
Evaluation 0.0% 7.1% 46.4% 46.4% 3.39
Finance 7.1% 21.4% 50.0% 21.4% 2.86
Fundraising 10.0% 26.7% 33.3% 30.0% 2.83
Lobbying & advocacy 3.6% 39.3% 42.9% 14.3% 2.68
Marketing 0.0% 22.2% 44.4% 33.3% 3.11
Other responses:

Strategy development

I'm interested in any good process to further a positive goal

Legal issues encountered by non profit organizations

How to add life into your old board - board rejuvenation

Evaluation tools

Human resources
9. What field are you in? (Check as many as apply)
Nonprofit management graph bar 63.6%
Nonprofit consultant graph bar 59.1%
Nonprofit volunteer graph bar 31.8%
Nonprofit board member graph bar 45.5%
Foundation staff graph bar 4.6%
Other responses:

Consultant to community collaboratives

developmental stages of organization, arts based social activism mission

Education & Training in a non-profit (2 responses)

Intermediary staff

Nonprofit Evaluator

Government funder (local government)

Nonprofit staff and administrative assistant

Nonprofit Marketing & Fund Development
10. How did you first learn about "Tools You Can Use"?
Found it on Fieldstone Alliance web site graph bar 53.6%
Found a link to it on another web site graph bar 25.0% 
Someone forwarded an issue to me graph bar 3.6%
Saw a copy someone had printed out    0.0%
Heard about it from someone and tracked it down graph bar 3.6%
I don't recall graph bar 14.3%
Other responses:

Vince

Noticed it in our email and began looking for it and reading it
11. Last question: Please tell us how we can improve "Tools You Can Use" or give us any other feedback you have:

I see "Tools you can use" as being very useful. as an improvement I would suggest that examples from a non-US environment are also provided in the material being shared

I have found the references to other resources like "Generations" really helpful - I can forward the newsletter story to my board and follow-up on the resource for my or the Board's use.

Please focus on the poorest of us more often, both in non-profits and "clients". Small successful groups who don't have middle class education or backgrounds among key staff. Thanks for all you do. It's tremendous work and I learn from every newsletter. Good luck to the outgoing guy and welcome to the new director!

I enjoy the easy to read style of the "tools." I would appreciate additional "tools" on community development and successful ventures. Thanks.

This was my first reading of the Newsletter, and I can already sense its usefulness. It reflects an understanding of today's environment and a healthy view of tomorrows organizations. I will definitely read any further newsletters. Thank you for your work.

I love your web site!!! I wait until the end of the day to read it so that I won't be rushed and I take my time. I would appreciate it if you post information on community development, and a monitoring device on how a non-profit is doing. i.e., are we meeting our goals i.e. a monitoring system...anyway keep up the good work!

I find the info good and I do share it with colleagues whenever relevant.

Provide more usable tools

They're great - keep up the good work.