Nonprofit Roadblocks—Fundraising Events Can Keep a Donor From Giving Their Best Gift
I was providing some cultivation strategies to a client who recently shifted their fundraising model and approach from transactional (heavy events & appeals) to deep relationship building activities.
It’s going really well. Wondering if you’re ready to make that move?
Here’s an example of how you can tell there’s money sitting on the table:
Let’s call this donor, Chris.
We were celebrating that Chris made a personal/individual commitment of $7,500 this year! This is an unrestricted gift with no strings attached that my client solicited.
I asked my client, “What was their past giving like?”
He let me know that Chris SPENT $5,400 at the gala a few years ago. He SPENT $3,800 at the gala last year, but he also donated two dinners in his home for the live auction that were valued at about $1,000 a piece.
So, $5,400 a few years ago and a total of $5,800 last year.
Two important things to note:
A.)
I’m thrilled the gift grew to $7,500. And, I’m confident it’s still not his best gift.
B.)
But, the bigger shift in how the gift was cultivated and solicited is the game changer. Did you notice it? Chris SPENT $5,400….
Donors aren’t spending money AT your gala. They aren’t giving TO your auction.
Donors are investing in your amazing mission THROUGH your gala, THROUGH your auction, or THROUGH your APPEAL.
This is an example of event giving simply getting in the way of a donor giving their best gift. It’s an example of how events leave dollars on the table time and time again. It’s why some years donors give and some years they don’t.
A fundraisers job is to LEAD every donor to give their best gift every year TO YOUR MISSION.
Do you see that subtle shift? Sometimes this is leaving millions on the table.
Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:
👣 Follow me on LinkedIn where I share the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and adding 7-figures + to their bottom line.
🍎 Read my GUIDE! THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVE/GETS :: Top 5 Reasons Your Board’s Give/Get Is Leaving Thousands (Sometimes Millions) on the Table. See how limiting board members to the Give/Get model restricts gifts and keeps your staff from reaching their full fundraising potential. Here to get it.
📈 Work with me to scale your org's revenue by 2-5X and fund your organization’s Strategic Plan // If you’re a business-minded CEO already raising MILLIONS but need to diversify revenue and secure more general-operating dollars to invest in growth, you can apply to work with me here.
