In fundraising, it is important to take the time to be sure that those you work with understand where you are going and what is expected. It is also essential that you understand the expectations of you and your organization from donors and prospective donors.
Funny how such a simple, five-letter word (brand) can be so complex and so much more than just a logo.
Donors want confidence that an organization's important initiatives have been carefully thought out and are aligned with its mission. This is where having a strategic plan is an important step in being prepared for a successful major campaign.
Never have a board member come up to you or others and say, "I signed up to do what?" Clarity is key to success, and shell games are for casinos. Do not mix the two!
Fiscal strength is one of the keys to being prepared to embark on a successful campaign. Make it your duty to be the worthy cause — both in deed and fiscal management — that prompts high-grade investments from potential donors.
In the end, it’s not about creating a new goal; it’s about creating a better way to achieve that goal. Marketing innovation helps you keep your current constituents and helps you find new constituents faster and more efficiently. Aren’t those your goals already? So, why isn’t innovation a formal part of the plan? Ask yourself that … and then ask your executives.
I knew my new volunteer campaign leader “got it” when, at the first facility design meeting, she threw out the design and created one with the patients’ needs in mind.
When you are working with volunteers, be sure that you honor their time and your commitments. Explain clearly what you expect — and what they can expect. Be sure that you set volunteers up for success.
If you're looking at a major campaign, don't embark on it without the benefit of a study. There are many good firms that can help you. And when you embark on a study, carefully consider the findings and recommendations. In doing so, you heed the counsel of some of your brightest, most loyal friends and prospective major donors.
Nonprofits have experienced a dramatically changed climate in the last decade — yet, unfortunately, most nonprofits have not changed themselves.
