Over the years we've heard a thousand decent explanations for not fundraising, however none more frequently or more powerfully put than the potential damaging outcome of the EU referendum.
Surprising then, that given that the financial crisis of 2008 during a period of unmatched uncertainty, our group have managed several of the UK's most successful fundraising campaigns by focusing on these 7, simple 'home truths':
Do It Now!
The level of urgency in Third Sector organisations is generally too low to appropriately address their far reaching, monetary requirements. Members, paid staff, as well as Trustees are typically ready to go for the status quo, pleased with small gains, instead of transformational adjustment. It is amazing how secure and contented some charities can be, in spite of an accepted need to 'generate the money'.
To change this way of thinking-- focus first on developing a genuine sense of urgency-- focus your core supporters on the minimal time available to achieve meaningful goals, rather than token, incremental developments in fundraising efficiency.
Value Your Volunteers
The two words guaranteed to shut off time-poor, over committed individuals, are 'fundraising' and 'board'. Not-for profit's that support, rather than 'exhaust' volunteer leadership could achieve impressive fundraising results.
Be brave, make a promise to stand down your volunteers when the job is done.
Generate momentum by establishing a precise time period over which the funds will be raised. Hectic people can then agree to get engaged, safe in the knowledge of once this commitment of their precious time will ultimately end. The old saying that the job will expand to fill the time given, holds true in fundraising also.
Givers Have The Power
Get over a fascination with obtaining the widest possible engagement in the fundraising approach and rather become inspired by how brand-new investments in your charity will actually be made use of.
The enthusiasm of your team for a 'transformational' vision is essential, so fuel that interest, build a commitment to the future and show they have the ability to make it all happen. By giving as generously as they can, they will be able to inspire other people to join them to make your shared vision a reality.
Deal With Facts
Involve your volunteer askers with prompt and succinct reports, composed of appropriate statistics.
Your fundraising team should find out from week to week how many approaches for gifts have actually been made, just how many are still to be made and also most essentially, exactly what has to be done to achieve the next target. Facts presented in a positive way, will focus effort on the most crucial steps that need to be taken to get to target.
Produce Short-term 'wins'.
Major fundraising campaigns require time to win. To build confidence and maintain interest, create intermediate objectives to be achieved, such as enlisting the required number of fundraising team members or securing the attendees needed at your information events. These 'way-markers' provide helpful points from which to chart the campaign's performance, highlighting far more than merely the sum of money that has been banked thus far.
As the 'way-markers' are achieved, confidence will develop that the ultimate target will be reached. "Success brings success" and these short-term wins will definitely help you keep the 'cynics' from declaring that nothing is happening! prospect research
Deal With 'success' Effectively
Premature celebration after a major gift or other achievement could stimulate your team to get complacent and relax wishing that someone else will raise the remainder of what is required. So be prepared and make use of your 'victories' to highlight just how much more still has to be achieved to reach your goal.
Communicate With Energy
Your transformational vision needs to be presented, reinforced and represented, to make sure that there can be no doubt about precisely what is being recommended.
In our experience it's simply not possible to over-communicate with a community of followers regarding how important funding is to your organisation's future. But please, be mindful with when and how often they are asked to give.
It is not difficult to say that now is not the right time to fundraise. If it is not the EU referendum or an economic crisis, then some other potent justification can usually be found. In case you're interested in more info . on the topic of fundraising consultants this website hlf funding offers countless more content pages involving prospective research.
In the long run regardless of the dominating economic environment, the decision to fulfill an economic difficulty through a concerted fundraising initiative should be based on an urgent and compelling vision of what your not-for-profit organisation is able to do to serve its community. By putting these 'home truths' into action, you could go on to attain your funding objectives now, while other people watch and wait for more certain times to come.