Five Winning Tips for Non-Profit Fundraising Success

Michael Romero, Regional Tournament Director – Texas Office

Fundraising can be fun, but it can also be a total chore. It can be exhilarating but also incredibly challenging. Fundraising is whatever you make of it, so you should make every effort not to make it hard on yourself. With that in mind, here are five winning tips for non-profit fundraising success.

1) Fundraising Isn't Evil

Fundraising is often viewed as a necessary evil, but if you're a non-profit, it is your lifeline to doing good. The sooner you make peace with fundraising, the sooner you'll be able to achieve more success. Give your Advancement Team high priority status and fight all urges to under-invest in, delay, or rush through campaigns. Without fundraising to lift it up, your mission will get buried.

2) You're Worth It

The work you do helping others is important and respected, so don't sell yourself short by thinking small. Most non-profits worry about scaring donors off by being bold, and then they set goals that are too modest and ask for too little. Believe in your own value and importance, and others will too. Shoot for the moon, because you just might get it.

3) Reap What You Sow

Thinking big doesn't mean you should go about strong-arming donors. There may be a few people out there who might "owe you a favor," but taking giving for granted is not only shortsighted, it is dangerous. As a non-profit, you don't want to be chasing one-time donors. Carefully and sincerely put in the due effort to cultivate long-term, authentic relationships.

4) Cutting Corners, Cutting Profits

You know the old adage, "Anything worth having is worth working for." Well, it's never been truer than with non-profit fundraising. Making fundraising "easier" by cherry-picking tactics can hurt you greatly in the end. While you might be tempted to avoid in-person asks because it's less awkward than writing an email, yet you connect more with in-person contact. If you rely on communicating through your newsletters because you dislike placing calls, you are severely limiting your potential by avoiding crucial hard work.

5) Embrace Change

There's another popular old adage: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But for non-profits, this one just simply doesn't apply. Keeping things fresh is the only way to remain on people's radar. Rehashing the same annual gala with the same old silent auction and "free round of golf" packages won't cut it with your donors for long. You must keep up with what's engaging. Utilize new channels, keep creative, and constantly seek change and out-of-the-box ideas. If you do this right, donors will not only keep coming to your events and donating, but they are more likely to spread the word about your innovative ideas and non-profit!