Fundraising on the go
Abstract
Fundraising can seem like a formidable task for program managers who are often already stretched to their limits. Incorporate these strategies into regular work routines to develop important relationships with stakeholders. This practice is based on materials developed by Campaign Consultation, Inc., for the National ASK to Sustain Institute held in San Diego, California, October 28-30, 2003.Issue
People who provide human care services have their hands full managing programs, volunteers, and clients. They know fundraising is important, but don't see how they could possibly do one more thing.Action
This effective practice is applicable to anyone involved in program management. It is designed to help people incorporate fundraising activities as a way of conducting business, rather than as a separate task that needs to be squeezed in among many other priorities.
According to Campaign Consultation, Inc., identifying the following objectives and strategies will lead to greater fundraising success for your program.
- Objectives:
- Identify missed and untapped resource development activities in your professional and leisure activities.
- Learn how to map, expand and leverage your networks into on-the-go fundraising resources.
- Learn how to appropriately integrate on-the-go fundraising strategies into your program's current fund raising activities.
- Key Strategies:
- Be prepared to express your mission statement in a conversational manner. A written mission statement for publication should vary from a spoken description. Oftentimes written mission statements are condensed to fit publication layouts. As such, they can lack the engaging details expected in a face-to-face encounter.
Written Content Example:
The Village Learning Place is a community library and learning center that encourages literacy, cultural awareness, and lifelong learning through free access for all ages to information, technology and resources.
Conversation Content Example:
"We help families leave poverty behind and improve their children's chances. The Village Learning Place teaches entrepreneurial skills, reinforces learning, and promotes literacy and appreciation for differences. These things happen though our library, computer job training, after-school homework mentoring, community celebrations, and the Youth Entrepreneur Associates Cafe."
- Know your fund development needs and goals. Generate a list of dollar amounts, in-kind donations, and services or assistance needed. Be sure to have a clear purpose for each. People are much more willing to give of their time and money when they know how it will be used.
- Cultivate internal collegial relationships. Discuss mission talking points and resource development goals with fellow staff and volunteer members as you...
- remember you are a team
- maximize your organization's internal resources
- share information
- show your trust and appreciation
- Develop, nurture and expand your networks.
- Leverage existing resources: what can your organization offer in exchange for what it needs.
- Read newspapers, business journals, and organization newsletters to stay informed about current issues in your field and to keep abreast of funding opportunities.
- Notice public donor listings.
- Get visible: attend community events that are likely to include individuals or organizations you would like to partner with.
- Leverage family connections: remember the rule of six degrees of separation.
- Befriend professionals and small business owners: they can offer their own resources and introduce you to others.
- Find connectors, the people who:- Know lots of people from different social and professional circles because they have a knack for making friends and acquaintances everywhere they go
- Keep in touch with the people they know, often by sending notes, birthday cards, and other correspondence
- Occupy different social and professional circles
- Like to bring people together — great for providing introductions and access to those you don't know
- Have numerous friendly acquaintances rather than a few close friends
- Know enough about their contacts to provide insight on how best to approach and motivate prospective stakeholders and resources.
- Action Planning
- Map Your Networks:
Personal contacts (family, close friends)
Professional contacts (co-workers, colleagues, volunteers)
Community contacts (religious, civic, sports, medical, academic)
For each contact include his or her name, your relationship, and the possible networks or affiliations they may have access to.
- Match Your Networks:
Compare your list of resource goals (dollars, in-kind donations, and services needed) with your list of potential donors and volunteers. For each resource needed, list one or more potential contacts (individuals or organizations). It is also important to consider what motivates each contact to contribute to your mission. Knowing such information is important for preparing your request for resources.
- Small Gestures — Big Payoffs!
- Read the newspaper. Let stakeholders know of your ongoing interest in their lives. Clip and mail articles with a short handwritten note to acknowledge accomplishments, offer support or sympathy, and pass on useful information.
- Send cards. Recognize stakeholders for good work, leadership, birthdays, and other important events. A personalized note received three or four times a year goes a long way to cultivating relationships with stakeholders.
- Don't overlook the obvious. Remember co-workers and volunteers have connections, resources and the obvious willingness to further your organization's mission. Give them the attention they need, no matter how time consuming it feels — it will pay off!
- Ask for advice. Everyone could use a few people to bounce ideas off of and help solve problems. People who are on the go should recruit three to four personal advisors who know they may be called upon two or three times a year to help you talk out a challenge or opportunity. People like to share their wisdom and feel needed. You benefit from different perspectives while cementing stakeholder involvement and commitment.
- Be prepared to express your mission statement in a conversational manner. A written mission statement for publication should vary from a spoken description. Oftentimes written mission statements are condensed to fit publication layouts. As such, they can lack the engaging details expected in a face-to-face encounter.
Context
Fundraising is one of the four pillars of sustainability. It should be implemented with appropriate efforts in marketing, volunteer development and collaboration. In conjunction, these four pillars create "staying power" for any organization.
Campaign Consultation, Inc. works with individuals and organizations at local, state, national and international levels to achieve community development, fund raising, diversity utilization, issue advocacy, media& marketing, public policy as well as organizational and business development success.
Outcome
Incorporating fundraising on-the-go practices into your regular work routine will help develop important relationships with a variety of current and potential stakeholders. These relationships can lead your organization towards a diversified funding base that includes public funding from government, and private support from foundations, corporations and especially gifts from individuals. This strategy can provide the freedom to deal with unexpected short-falls as your project grows and expands.Posted On
December 12, 2003For More Information
Resources
Achieving Success Through Social Capital: Tapping Hidden Resources in Your Personal and Business Networks, by Wayne E. Baker
Fifty-two Ways to Reconnect, Follow-up and Stay in Touch When You Don't Have Time to Network, by Anne Barber & Lynne Waymon
Network Smart: How to Build Relationships for Personal and Organizational Success, by Wayne E. Baker
Power Networking: 55 Secrets for Personal and Professional Success, by Donna Fisher & Marilyn Hermance
The 101 Commandments of Networking: Common Sense But Not Common Practice, by Janice Smallwood-McKenzie
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference, by Malcolm Gladwell
Effective practices by topic: Sustainability.