You Can Always Begin...

Everyday, you wake up facing another day. You can see and feel your community’s pain.

That’s why you joined or started your nonprofit.

You start your day with every intention of building this program, drafting the board agenda, paying that bill, calling the board president, checking on that family.

AND you need to raise money to make your mission come to life in the lives of the people you serve.

On many days you may think, “OMG, what have I gotten myself into?”

Days, weeks, months go by and you feel like you are spinning your wheels.

You are DEFINITELY not alone.

Now beating yourself up for facing what’s in front of you each day will only perpetuate your feelings of despair.

Know this. You can ALWAYS BEGIN.

If you are not sure where or how to start, Here are three things to consider…

1. Know exactly how much you need to raise and for what program or purpose. This will help you hone your story about the lives who will benefit from your work. Be sure to include EVERYTHING that has a cost.

2. Divide your dollar goal into bite-sized chunks. A $100,000 goal can seem insurmountable. But 30 $250 gifts, 20 $500 gifts,10 $1,000 gifts can feel much more attainable.

3. Dedicate 1 - hour a day to fundraising. Put it on your calendar and honor it! When you do this, you not only grow more comfortable making phone calls, sending emails, setting up meetings with prospective donors, calling board members for leads, but you also create a steady flow of revenue.

Now, I know that it would be unrealistic to think that you won’t be interrupted. No doubt that you will.

When that happens, forgive yourself. And get right back at it the next day.

This small time commitment can make the difference between no funding and changing someone’s life...forever.

….let’s begin.