Effective Fundraising Strategies: Avoiding Desperation Tactics
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Chapter 1: The Pitfalls of Desperation Fundraising
Desperation fundraising is a term I use to describe a situation where fundraisers feel immense pressure from executive directors or board members, constantly pushing for immediate results. This approach often leads to anxiety and poor decision-making.
Instead of succumbing to this pressure, it’s crucial to establish a solid fundraising plan.
Do you have a budget? Here, I’m not referring to your organization’s overall budget but rather the specific budget for your fundraising initiatives. For instance, if your organization’s budget indicates that you need to raise $25,000 in July, it's essential to outline how you will achieve this target to avoid jeopardizing the rest of your financial plans.
Your personal or team budget could look something like this:
- Major gifts: $5,000
- Gala sales: $10,000
- Summer campaign: $2,500
- Corporate partnership: $2,500
- Foundation gift: $5,000
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Section 1.1: Engaging Recurring Donors
Recurring donors play a vital role in supporting your fundraising efforts.
Once you have your budget established, work collaboratively with your team to brainstorm innovative strategies for achieving each fundraising goal.
I prefer to have this plan finalized before I present my development budget to my supervisor the year before. It’s not enough to simply input numbers; it’s imperative to understand how those figures will be realized and who will assist in reaching each target.
The more comprehensive your plans, the more likely you are to reach your overall fundraising objectives. It’s challenging when you’re under pressure to continually increase your fundraising totals. Having a clear strategy for raising funds is essential to prevent falling into desperation fundraising.
Take risks. Be of service to others. Support your friends and colleagues. Show kindness.
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Chapter 2: Strategic Fundraising Insights
In the video titled "3 things to make you a better fundraiser for your new nonprofit," you’ll discover essential tips that can enhance your fundraising capabilities and help you avoid common pitfalls.
The second video, "Momentum After $50,000: Fundraising Tips for Nonprofits," provides valuable insights on maintaining fundraising momentum after achieving significant milestones.