The other day I saw a post that read something like...“A glossy deck or gift chart doesn't get major donors to give more money.” Do I agree with that statement?

Do you know what creates a strong Capital Campaign? 
A strong annual fund.

Do you know what creates a strong Growth Campaign?
A strong annual fund.

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.