Posted on 08/07/2006The problem with many fundraising efforts is that there are no pre-planned strategies in place before the event starts. We find that organizations achieving success in their fundraising efforts made fundraising strategies their first priority.
A Solid Plan Helps Produce Great Fundraising Results
Good fundraising means you raise the resources your group needs. Great fundraising comes when you build a campaign that is based on a solid plan. The bottom line is to build a fundraising strategy that is realistic. Successful fundraising ideas includes the management of staff and volunteers, takes advantage of proven programs, utilizes mail and email when applicable and is meaningful to your fundraising community. Whether your fundraising organization is national or you are working with a small local group, the key ingredients are having the right content, people, volunteers that all work together to make your fundraising strategy become a feasible plan.
“The Five Strategies for Fundraising Success”
Mal Warwick in "The Five Strategies for Fundraising Success" writes about an entirely new and revolutionary approach to fundraising strategy and planning. He shows nonprofit organizations how to set fundraising goals based on the mission and how to select, implement, and stay with the right strategies to meet those goals.
Fund raising strategies are important to service organizations which rely on donors giving their hard earned money to a fundraising effort. Quite often it is best to take the same approach as other organizations and their fundraising ideas. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. If a similar organization has had success with one strategy it makes sense to explore that same strategy for your organization. For example, if a local pregnancy center has found raising money with silent auctions meets its financial needs, you may want to consider holding a silent auction for your fundraising project.
Nonprofit fundraising is important and you will find many corporate sponsors willing to help your cause. It is always a good approach to present corporate sponsors with general background information about your goals and ways you intend on using the fundraising proceeds. It is important to successful fundraisers that their donors gain a comfort level with the organization and the fundraising needs. Of course they will want to know that you will be good stewards of the financial resources they choose to share with your group.
Powerful Funding Strategy
Grant Station has some wonderful information on fundraising strategies. They believe if you want to develop a powerful funding strategy for your organization or a specific project, you must first become familiar with giving patterns, Fundraising Trends, funding sources, and fundraising methods. Knowing and understanding each of these is essential to creating a fundraising strategy.
Notification of Funding Accomplishments and Future Plans
An active fund raising board will keep in close contact with the community and its leaders, getting them directly involved with your mission. Remember, the success of your fund raiser is based on keeping the community desirous of supporting your organization. Make sure your strategy includes preparation and distribution of newsletters and new releases that notifies donors about your recent accomplishments and future plans. Most local newspapers will gladly print stories of local nonprofit organizations and the ways in which they are helping in the community. After all, there are only so many fundraising resources available. Use the strategy of keeping your organization and its impact on the community in the news as much as possible. Be the organization that people want to support.
Be clear in your advertisements and newsletters to map out your groups mission. Make it easy to follow and describe it as directly as possible. Follow these simple rules:
- Let people know who you are.
- What you have done in the past.
- What you plan is for the future.
- What you need them to do to help. Ask for their donations, and or time or any other needed resources. Be sure to tell them exactly what your needs are and how they can help you.
