22
Nov
Welcome to Fundraising in Tough Times!
The purpose of this blog is to offer encouragement to fundraisers. Please share your best ideas and insights.
Shar McBee is the bestselling author of To Lead is to Serve - How to Attract Volunteers and Keep Them. Her seminar, Joy of Fundraising for Board Members, has been attended by over 20,000 people. Website: www.JoyofLeadership.com
Tags: Fundraising, Tough Times
admin
Even though you need to ask for money, If you feel needy, people will run away from you.
First develop your detachment. - Shar McBee
George Niver
Thank you for writing on this topic. We need to develop leadership skills in order to properly approach, uplift and bring out the best in potential donors in times like these.
admin
It’s good to send people home from your fundraising event with a momento. A photo with your CEO or Board Members or standing next to your logo will be a good reminder of the support they have given your organization.
Loretta Holland
The most important thing is–don’t stop asking! Yoy may get more no’s than you are used to, you may get smaller donations than you did last year. But you are sure to get nothing if you stop asking altogether. This is also the time to hold your existing donors close and step up your stewardship efforts. Thank your donors, appreciate them. Stand by them when times are tough for them and they will remember that. A little loyalty now could result in a healthy gift later.
Note from Shar McBee: I have worked with Loretta, a consultant and grant writer, and can highly recommend her. She is the past president of Assn. of Fundraising Professionals in Austin, TX. Loretta can be reached at: dlholland@austin.rr.com
Jose Mestre
I am the Executive Director for a 9/11 nonprofit in New York City, Serving Those Who Serve http://www.stws.org/, that offers holistic healing modalities for the hundreds of thousands of workers and volunteers and area residents affected by exposure to the toxins present at Ground Zero.
My experience is that if one is meeting a real need and doing good work there are always people out there willing to help you do it, even in these times.
Our main funder cut his contribution in half this year but a holistic psychiatrist who does breath work and meditation workshops for us has come to believe in us so much that he has raised enough money from his clients for us that it has made up for the shortfall.
So keep putting it out there that you have a good cause, don’t get attached to the no’s and you’ll attract some yes’s and that will attract more abundance.
Chris Blount
What I’m hearing from some smart and successful colleagues, is that in these times especially, those of us raising money for good causes must know and communicate our distinctives, the niche-needs we meet. Past and potential donors must understand how you are filling those needs and that without you, the need would go unmet. And they must understand that if you had more resources, how you would do more to meet the need(s). This message must be tight and compelling. Even if donations are currently low, it is more important than ever to communicate, albeit in cost effecient ways. - Chris Blount, Executive Director, http://www.wilsonfoundation.org
Deborah Terribile Stewart
I agree with other posters. Don’t stop asking. Your presention of course should include the ” I know we’re experiencing the tough times’…but in the past we have relied on you or your group. I think the message should be whatever you can give will still be appreciated. If the person or group doesnt give…I think one thing that could help is to still thank them for what they did in the past….and hopefully once things get back on a stabile ground they can join the fundraising efforts. Keep the people in the loop whether they give or not. That way they’ll feel appreciated for what have done, not feel guilty for what they can’t do.
Beverly MacBurney
Great idea. We can all support our missions with this positive approach.
Ross H. Basen, CFRE
What I have heard over and over is that you cannot let up on your efforts to attract and retain donors. Keep your message in front of people. Don’t let up. People will give, though perhaps not as much, but your organization needs to be in front of them.