Simple way to handle fundraising when the world has gone crazy
Sonia J.T. Saleh
Increase board fundraising | Engage your board | Nonprofits and Associations | Speaker & Trainer
These are difficult times for many of us with the disruptions that have been?going on in?our communities and the world. It almost seems that every day there is a new crisis. Throughout clients have been calling me and asking how they can possibly fundraise during these situations? Maybe you've asked the same question.
What I tell them is,?it is an important time to reach out to their donors. Especially if you have a great rapport. You call them to have an open, honest, genuine conversation about what's going on, and how it relates to your organization. Ask them for advice on how you can keep the organization at the forefront. Of course, this will create a deeper bond between the donor and your organization, and possibly get you new funding.
If you haven't established a rapport with your donors, and you haven't been talking to them, which is a possibility. Then I recommend you still reach out to your donors but with a plan and a strategy.?Here is a manageable strategy; call three donors a day, for five days, that's 15 donors in a week. You will most likely end up in voicemail. At that point, what you want to do is give a heartfelt message thanking them for their support in the past. Don't ask for any money. Don't ask them to call you back, just leave that message. I also?recommend you have your board members also each call three donors a day for five days. Get Board members involved and engaged with both the organization and your donors.
Donors will always give where their heart takes them. During?difficult times, they may give specifically to certain situations, which may not be your organization. But it's important for them to know that no matter what you are still here continuing the good work. You want to stay in the forefront of their mind, because as a crisis passes which may or may not affect them, they will come back to what is important to them.?Donors will ultimately go wherever their heart pulls them. So even though these?are crazy times we're living through, they will be contributing. You want them to still feel aligned with you and your organization, no matter what happens.??