Three Weeks to Fundraising Success
Fundraising -like mountain climbing or jumping out of airplanes-is an activity that seems to frighten all but the bravest.
And even those who climb mountains, jump out of planes or engage in any extreme sport, are often cowed by the thought of asking someone else for money.
But if you have a passion, care about the mission and want to ensure the organization's success, fundraising really isn't that difficult at all.
The first step is to provide opportunities for people to give.
In order to do that you must first make sure that everyone you know knows all about the organization and the really good things you do.
When people respond positively to what you are telling them, tell them how they can get involved.
Then make sure that you help them to do so.
That might mean following up with a phone call or inviting them to tour your facility or attend an event.
It might be connecting them with someone else at the organization.
Just make sure that you help them to close the gap between wanting to get involved and getting involved.
Once they are interested and involved, the next step is asking them for a gift.
Right off the bat, you may not want to ask for money.
That's all right.
Gifts of time and talent can be as valuable as those of treasure.
Once they give a gift of any kind, tell them how much you appreciate what they did.
And then make sure you tell them again.
And again.
Before you take the first step, think about why you are involved with this organization.
What is it that they do or what problem do they solve that matters? Why do you make a gift, give your time (and if you are a staff member-give time over and above what your job requires)? Share that story with everyone you meet.
It will start a chain reaction that will result in support for your special organization.
Do this: For the next five days commit to telling at least one person each day about the organization.
In the second five days, tell two people a day-and don't forget to check back with the first five to make sure they did indeed get involved.
Don't stop telling people but now, in the third week, start telling people already involved with the organization what you are doing.
Share your successes-large and small.
And challenge them to use the next three weeks to start their fundraising program.
And even those who climb mountains, jump out of planes or engage in any extreme sport, are often cowed by the thought of asking someone else for money.
But if you have a passion, care about the mission and want to ensure the organization's success, fundraising really isn't that difficult at all.
The first step is to provide opportunities for people to give.
In order to do that you must first make sure that everyone you know knows all about the organization and the really good things you do.
When people respond positively to what you are telling them, tell them how they can get involved.
Then make sure that you help them to do so.
That might mean following up with a phone call or inviting them to tour your facility or attend an event.
It might be connecting them with someone else at the organization.
Just make sure that you help them to close the gap between wanting to get involved and getting involved.
Once they are interested and involved, the next step is asking them for a gift.
Right off the bat, you may not want to ask for money.
That's all right.
Gifts of time and talent can be as valuable as those of treasure.
Once they give a gift of any kind, tell them how much you appreciate what they did.
And then make sure you tell them again.
And again.
Before you take the first step, think about why you are involved with this organization.
What is it that they do or what problem do they solve that matters? Why do you make a gift, give your time (and if you are a staff member-give time over and above what your job requires)? Share that story with everyone you meet.
It will start a chain reaction that will result in support for your special organization.
Do this: For the next five days commit to telling at least one person each day about the organization.
In the second five days, tell two people a day-and don't forget to check back with the first five to make sure they did indeed get involved.
Don't stop telling people but now, in the third week, start telling people already involved with the organization what you are doing.
Share your successes-large and small.
And challenge them to use the next three weeks to start their fundraising program.
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