Bringing Strategy to Fundraising
Have you developed metrics for your fundraising programs? How can you make them meaningful? How can you make sure your whole organization embraces them, including your Board? And how can you be sure they are helping you raise more money, producing more net income for your mission?
Read MoreBoard members often compare your organization with another they’ve heard about, in fundraising. But Fill-in-the-Blank-Organization is not like your organization, and therein lies the reason you should not be raising money exactly like Fill-in-the-Blank-Organization does. Your group needs what I call “Best Fit” fund raising activities and programs.
Read MoreSome Board Members make no financial gifts at all to the organization or make relatively small gifts. I call this the “Low-Giving Syndrome”. Is this OK?
Read MoreAround Board tables, we sometimes hear about big gifts from previously unknown donors or million-dollar galas or large grants from foundations - all to other nonprofit groups - and someone invariably says, “Wow! How did they get so lucky?” We need to ask, “Was it just luck?”
Read MoreSometimes asking for a higher number than the donor had in mind can result in a bigger gift than they would have given otherwise, even if it’s not as high as you asked. You may never know this, but occasionally they will tell you after the fact. That’s a wonderful feeling - you helped them stretch!
Read MoreAs a board member or a campaign volunteer, you can participate powerfully in meetings with donor prospects if you are willing and able to convey why you are enthusiastic about the work of this group. The key is to tell your story in a way that is genuinely YOU.
Read MoreYou, better than anyone not on the board, are in a great position to participate in fundraising. And if you don’t, it’s a loss to the group you serve. How can you get started? Here are a few suggestions.
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