Nonprofit Fundraising Basics: How to Achieve Your Project Goals
This Charity Needs Charity
Let’s face it, running a nonprofit is essentially the same as running a small business. You cannot reach your goals without the funds necessary to do so. Luckily for those in the NPO sector, there are wonderful humans out there who want to support your efforts in making the world a better place. As the Project, it’s your job to gain their trust so they want to become donors. The question is, how do you do that?
Fundraising can be one of the more daunting aspects of running an NPO, but it’s a critical aspect of the survival of your project.
Fortunately, we have a few tips to help you focus your efforts so you can get back to the mission at hand.
1.) MAKE A PLAN: Selling cookies or hosting a gala?
This seems like a no-brainer, but sitting down and evaluating how much money you need to get your project off the ground and then maintaining it for the duration will help you decide which strategy will serve your needs.
2.) YOU NEED A BUDGET: Put the numbers to work.
Now that your plan is in place it’s time to get down to the details. Will spending some money to make some more money help your efforts? Things like running ads or buying promotional products should be considered. You must evaluate what best suits your project’s needs.
3.) LEARN ABOUT YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE: Asking neighbors or soliciting foundations?
Thinking this through can be the thing that saves you your precious time. When you are running a project, you need to be as focused as you can be to maximize your efforts. Think about details like age or location when deciding how to target. With these demographics in mind, does it make sense to run a social media campaign or would it be more effective to set up a booth at a local farmers market? Don’t underestimate what good old-fashioned face time can do for you!
“About half (51%) of Americans who donate say they tend to give to charities they feel personally connected to in some way. But nearly four in 10 (37%) take a different approach: they donate to charities they think will use their funds most effectively. Men (42%) are more likely than women (32%) to say this is how they think about charitable giving.
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4.) STAY THE COURSE: Inconsistency can discourage donors.
Trust is such an important factor for donors when they are deciding where to make charitable contributions. Being sure to use clear and consistent messaging across mediums will promote clarity about your mission. Currently, more supporters are expecting an individualized approach when it comes to their relationships with organizations. An email campaign or social media post showing the results of the money being used can help promote consistency and encourage stewardship.
5.) BE SPECIFIC: The details matter.
Not asking for exactly what you want could be one of your biggest blunders, but don’t worry because all that planning you’ve done is about to pay off. It’s time to start asking your community and donors for help. It’s easier to gain their support when you can get specific and ask for things like; “I need 10 volunteers to pack up food kits.” Or maybe, “My goal is to buy 100 blankets that cost 10 dollars each.” These direct asks can make the donor feel more comfortable and connected to your cause.
6.) HELP IS OUT THERE: We are all here to help each other do great things.
You are not the first project that needs to fundraise, so don’t be afraid to ask around for support. Additionally, you have a fantastic group of board members that are ready to help! A brainstorming session may lend itself to some great ideas and connections to help achieve your goals. They are more than likely going to be willing to help you spread the word, opening your project up to even more potential donors.
7.) GRATITUDE: Don’t forget your manners.
A thank you note after an event or a fundraiser is a wonderful way to let your donors and volunteers know how much you appreciate and value their support. It’s a good idea to try to keep a database with details like birthdays and anniversaries to help build long-lasting relationships with your supporters. Surveys are another way to offer some ownership and connection. These, if kept manageable, can also be a great tool for process improvement.
