What Are Your Fundraising Sore Thumbs?
I'm not sure how it happened, but I closed my car door on my thumb. Fully closed. It hurt so much I momentarily forgot how to open the door! For two weeks now I have been trying to figure how I did this.
But, even sillier, for two weeks I have been pretty sure that I broke my thumb. Maybe I don't have too much use for it, and it has been a nice excuse not to wear ties. But it sure makes buttoning a shirt painful and tedious.
Even with two weeks of throbbing pain, I haven't been to the doctor yet. I know better. The pain reminds me each day.
What are your fundraising broken thumbs — the things that you know need care and fixing?
Here is some food for thought ...
- How many major-gift donors or prospective donors have you visited in the last two weeks?
- How many gifts have you asked for this week?
- Are you current with your donor thank-you plans?
- Are you bringing new donors into the fold?
- How effective is your messaging?
- Are you increasing your donor retention rates?
- When is the last time you made calls to — or even better, visited with — your board members?
Chances are there are one or two nagging sore thumbs with your fundraising program — and that you can easily identify them. Go ahead, take them on. You will feel better and your fundraising will soar!
Looking for Jeff? You'll find him either on the lake, laughing with good friends, or helping nonprofits develop to their full potential.
Jeff believes that successful fundraising is built on a bedrock of relevant, consistent messaging; sound practices; the nurturing of relationships; and impeccable stewardship. And that organizations that adhere to those standards serve as beacons to others that aspire to them. The Bedrocks & Beacons blog will provide strategic information to help nonprofits be both.
Jeff has more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience and is a member of the NonProfit PRO Editorial Advisory Board.
