Friday, February 15, 2013

Another Six Reasons for Lackluster Fundraising Results


Will you reach your funding goal in 2013?  It's a matter of your creativity, openness, and persistence.  Be creative about how you describe your program.  Think of the different benefits or issues surrounding it and then write about each one on different occasions
 Accept awards and declinations evenly.  Don't make a the declination letter the final word.  Return to the prospect to get specific reasons for the decision.  If you make the necessary changes, do so and resend at the next scheduled submission period.  Keep at the job of fundraising.  Don't let the effort drop off.
  
More Reasons for Lackluster Fundraising Results:
  1. Fear of rejection.  Does asking for something and not getting it have you feel you're not good enough?  Perish the thought. Funders have deadlines, budgets, and changes in funding priorities without giving the public advance notice. Motivate yourself to move past the fear by giving a high-five to yourself or someone else in the organization or quietly thank yourself for submitting the proposal or making the call.
  2. No follow through on requests.  Don't let money slip through your fingers because you didn't submit the requested additional information or didn't schedule the visit. Write it on your wall calendar and input in your smartphone.
  3. Lack of stamina to do repeat requests. The sources of stamina in this work are confidence and optimism.  See #1 and put on the calendar or funding software the date of the next deadline for that prospect.  Low stamina may also be a nutritional issue.  Reduce the sugar, dairy, caffeine, and wheat; Increase the fruits, vegetables, water and sunlight.
  4. There's only one message-and that's limited.  Think like a marketer and study the facets of your program; then describe each facet in many ways.
  5. Over reliance on few sources-even Sugar Daddies get tired of their sweet things.  In short, diversifying your funding base is crucial. Make it a practice to uncover the supporters of programs similar to yours. Then do prospect research to learn whether whether that supporter's funding guidelines cover your project.
  6. You don't make it easy to give.  Some people write checks; others want to use PayPal, a credit card, or send a text that get's charged to the telephone.  Explore the payment options and learn the demographic most likely to use each one.

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posted by Unknown @ 7:27 AM 9 Comments

Monday, February 11, 2013

Reasons for Lackluster Fundraising Results

Too many nonprofits are challenged by fundraising.  Once you shake hands with your first few funders, do you settle into complacency? Fight the inertia; instead find one day in the month to do corporate fundraising.  We call it "Monthly Fundraising Day".  If you have to play special music or put on party hats to institute it, do so.   Make Monthly Fundraising Day the necessary ritual that fuels your cause.
 
Starting with Six Basic Reasons:
You don't ask.  Don't be the nonprofit who gets five minutes before a crowd but can't ask for support. Sticking your chest out and having your great accomplishments in clearly in mind, enthusiastically ask for financial support.

You don't tell people how much you need.  State the total amount and the giving amount you need from them.  Frequently, people will ask for support without stating the amount.  Whether a face-to-face appeal or written, remember to suggest different levels of giving.

You don't give people a deadline to support you.  Yes, bring immediacy to your call.  Tell people when you need the funds in.  Many interested people will meet the deadlines.  Of course, accept and thank those who give beyond the date.  Late support ought to be seen as Willie Nelson sings, "You were always on my mind..."

You didn't explain what the support is for and what will be its impact. Give sufficient explanation without writing a novel.  People appreciate knowing what their money is fueling.

People don't know you. Call it promotion, public relations or getting in the limelight, you must blow your horn regularly & play it well.  Thank goodness for social media, professional networks, postcards, and press release templates.  Keep your face in the place.  People are more apt to give to those with name recognition.

You ignore the seasons for giving-"Tis the season to be jolly" and at least 4 months before the start of the  federal or local government's fiscal years. Try postal mail and social media to send your requests.  Postal mail is more effective, in this era, with your familiars.  Depending on your demographic, it still is true that making the effort to send an individual letter has impact.  Now, the under 35-year-olds may be too ensconced in the digital scene to be impressed by the letter.

posted by Unknown @ 12:29 PM 0 Comments