Operation Smile finds that a holistic, fully integrated approach to fundraising makes it a little easier to take on the challenges inherent in funding a nonprofit mission.

By Melissa Busch

Shawyer believes mobile giving will prove to be a viable fundraising channel and says Operation Smile is anxious to do more tests.

The challenges
Of course, having great success in a number of fundraising approaches doesn’t mean Operation Smile is without its challenges. Like most nonprofits, Shawyer says, it worries about “ensuring we have the skills, resources and programs in place to continue to grow our revenues and our donor base, minimize donor attrition and maximize the lifetime value of donors.”

But she points out that Operation Smile’s commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships and — perhaps most importantly — its integration efforts help minimize those challenges. And that, of course, gives it something to smile about. FS

Melissa Busch is the associate senior editor at FundRaising Success. Reach her at mbusch@napco.com