The nonprofit sector has tried to trick us.

It tells us fundraising looks like . . .

We’ve put the idea that “to make programs grow, you must restrict funds to PROGRAMMING” behind us by now, right?

We know this statement isn’t true...

But, I know lots of you must continually educate board members and donors about this concept.

Nonprofit Leaders: I don't need to tell you that UNRESTRICTED gen-ops donations make the greatest difference to...your mission, your annual growth, your infrastructure, and your long-term sustainability.

But here's what I hear too often…

Q: Do you know what helps your fundraising team reach their goals every year? 

A: Taking the long view.

Is your team able to tell a story incorporating your multi-year plan? Not just programmatically, but the overall growth and financial story of your organization?

Nonprofit growth is highly influenced by your own personal Money Psychology. My approach to fundraising changed when I started studying this topic.

I’ve gotten really good at knowing my perfect client.  In the first call I’m listening for something really specific. . . 

Is there a nervous energy around taking risks and spending money to raise more money?

I’ll be hesitant if I hear things like this . . .

A fundraiser told me the other day that one of their individual donors used to mail in a $50K gift…then the next year it was only $10K…the next, $5K… 

They shrugged as if that’s just how the ball bounces.

Well, I disagree . . . That’s not how the ball bounces . . .

Why is everyone obsessed with an elevator pitch? I was recently in a discussion with a client’s vendor and EVERYTHING fundraising related kept coming back to questions about the elevator pitch. 

One phrase I often hear is, “But, our fundraisers can’t add another hour to their days!”  

I don’t mean to be harsh, but TIME is not the issue your team has as they struggle to reach their annual fundraising goals.

You know what’s ironic? 

Too many fundraisers are doing glorified administrative work like stamping envelopes and collecting auction items. They can’t seem to get out of the office to meet with donors because they are stuck drafting email follow ups, reviewing social media posts, or putting leave-behinds in folders.

Have you ever felt like you blew an interview with a funder? That’s the call I got from one of my favorite clients. She was discouraged and felt like she might not get selected for a large, multi-year investment. What was my response?

I did a really good job of not checking email while I was traveling with family in India the first two weeks of January. But, I knew one of my clients was having a huge meeting and I was dying to know the outcome!  

So, I snuck a few peeks…and saw this!