How to Find Fundraising Success During Tough Economic Times
The economy continues to lag.
Recovery might only be a theory of optimism at this point.
But even during tough times philanthropies must raise money and donor awareness.
What can your organization do to minimize the impact of a global economic downturn so you can continue to support your favorite cause? · Reevaluate · Strengthen your story · Keep doing what works · Cut costs where needed · Be attentive to your donors · Research new ways to fundraise Reevaluate mechanisms that measure the effectiveness of marketing, communications and fundraising.
Down times are good for developing processes that effectively measure how these functions operate.
When times are good it's easy to overlook the details, but as the economy sours the details can be very costly.
Strengthening your story requires a reassessment of why you are doing what you are doing.
If your cause is 'save the Pit Bulls' revisit the reason why you decided to dedicate your time to saving these dogs.
How have things changed? Is the life of the average Pit Bull better today than it was 2 years ago? If not, why? Do you still possess the passion you did when you started? How can we improve our mission? Answering these questions forces you to rededicate your life, determines whether or not focus needs to shift and demonstrates to potential donors that you are doing everything you can to succeed.
If it's not broken, don't' fix it.
If the annual 'Clean Water' dinner is attracting crowds and raising money even during lean times keep it as a fundraiser.
Oftentimes people shy away from what works because they believe it's too expensive.
Don't fall into that trap.
Cutting costs where needed keeps the core fundraiser in tact but trims what doesn't work.
Creating a budget based on lean times and cutting to meet that budget number risks losing successful programs.
Short-term benefits are not worth the cost of long-term success.
Being attentive to your donors builds relationships.
People develop trust with those they interact with.
If a donor is supporting you during lean times they are demonstrating their dedication to you and your cause.
Reciprocation on your part deepens that connection and encourages participation for years to come.
New ways of raising awareness and money for your cause are developing everyday.
Relying on traditional ways of fundraising may be working but ways of optimizing those techniques may be developing at the same time.
The Internet, online fundraising, social media and social entrepreneurs are driving innovation bringing the world to your doorstep.
The cost of entry is often very low, if not free.
Studying up on cost-effective tools is a great way to evolve your operation and save money.
Fundraising does not have to suffer during hard economic times.
Organizations taking the time to reevaluate and learn about innovation in the field are finding success in supporting the causes that mean the most to them.
Recovery might only be a theory of optimism at this point.
But even during tough times philanthropies must raise money and donor awareness.
What can your organization do to minimize the impact of a global economic downturn so you can continue to support your favorite cause? · Reevaluate · Strengthen your story · Keep doing what works · Cut costs where needed · Be attentive to your donors · Research new ways to fundraise Reevaluate mechanisms that measure the effectiveness of marketing, communications and fundraising.
Down times are good for developing processes that effectively measure how these functions operate.
When times are good it's easy to overlook the details, but as the economy sours the details can be very costly.
Strengthening your story requires a reassessment of why you are doing what you are doing.
If your cause is 'save the Pit Bulls' revisit the reason why you decided to dedicate your time to saving these dogs.
How have things changed? Is the life of the average Pit Bull better today than it was 2 years ago? If not, why? Do you still possess the passion you did when you started? How can we improve our mission? Answering these questions forces you to rededicate your life, determines whether or not focus needs to shift and demonstrates to potential donors that you are doing everything you can to succeed.
If it's not broken, don't' fix it.
If the annual 'Clean Water' dinner is attracting crowds and raising money even during lean times keep it as a fundraiser.
Oftentimes people shy away from what works because they believe it's too expensive.
Don't fall into that trap.
Cutting costs where needed keeps the core fundraiser in tact but trims what doesn't work.
Creating a budget based on lean times and cutting to meet that budget number risks losing successful programs.
Short-term benefits are not worth the cost of long-term success.
Being attentive to your donors builds relationships.
People develop trust with those they interact with.
If a donor is supporting you during lean times they are demonstrating their dedication to you and your cause.
Reciprocation on your part deepens that connection and encourages participation for years to come.
New ways of raising awareness and money for your cause are developing everyday.
Relying on traditional ways of fundraising may be working but ways of optimizing those techniques may be developing at the same time.
The Internet, online fundraising, social media and social entrepreneurs are driving innovation bringing the world to your doorstep.
The cost of entry is often very low, if not free.
Studying up on cost-effective tools is a great way to evolve your operation and save money.
Fundraising does not have to suffer during hard economic times.
Organizations taking the time to reevaluate and learn about innovation in the field are finding success in supporting the causes that mean the most to them.
