50 of Your Innovative Fundraising Ideas, Part 2

Last week, I shared with you Part 1 of the 54 responses I got to my request for ideas for innovation in fundraising. (If you'll recall, a while back, I referenced a spirited discussion I had with a long-time fundraising consultant and, as a result, asked you all to send me your ideas that demonstrate just how innovative the fundraising sector is.)

Here are the remaining ideas (actually we seem to have ended up with just 50). Some may seem new, and some may seem like ideas we know are right but are skills that perhaps have simply fallen out of practice. I've divided them by categories and arranged them alphabetically.

Management
20. This isn't an idea, but what I do each year to ensure my team is innovative. Normally, fundraising departments increase their financial goals marginally each year. I never do. In my last seven years managing the e-philanthropy and emerging philanthropy team at my nonprofit, my least aggressive year I planned for a 25 percent increase over the previous year. Every year, regardless of the market, we meet and exceed our budget. Why? I believe that true innovation can only happen when your back is up against the wall and you know that if we do everything that we have done previously to the best of our abilities, we still won't come even close to the goal. Even though it is a little stressful, it is so energizing. Every day we have brainstorming meetings. We innovate. We will try and test anything. It is a lot of fun.

21. A nonprofit will never grow more than its employees grow. Without employees, there is nothing else for many nonprofits. Invest in the staff and watch the organization's success soar. Skill sets are fine, but personal growth is what will make the most magic happen for a nonprofit.