subject: 12 Ways To Improve Your Fundraising [print this page] There is a lot of information out there that talks about all the new tricks you can pull in order to raise more funds for your non profit. There is not a lot out there about how to get more out of what you are already doing. Probably the most important piece to your fund raising campaign is your success story. Who are you helping and how do your donors relate to them?
Honestly now when you want to tell your success story it has become so easy that many people put almost no thought into it anymore. With a fifty dollar phone and a twenty dollar program you can have a story up and running in a few minutes.
The problem with a poorly told story is that you do not emotionally connect with your potential donors. While you might be having a huge impact on many peoples lives with your non profit, if you can not communicate this impact to your donors in a way that makes them want to be part of it to, then you have failed.
Why do these donors belong in your charity? One way or another every donor must feel like they belong and are part of your story. Ask yourself four questions to make sure you can connect with your donors.
- Who makes up your current donor list?
- What connects these people
- What can you do to remind them about how they connect?
- What would most make these people remember you?
Every investor is looking for a good return on investment. It is no different when doing fundraising in Denver or financial planning in New York, donors want to know what they are getting out of their investment. When someone chooses to donate money to you it gives them a return on an emotional level and they get to connect with your organization. Make sure you are someone people can relate to. Here are four questions that will help you figure out how to do this.
- What do you stand for?
- What is your organizations philosophy?
- Are you able to connect to a mainstream audience?
- What can you do to broaden your appeal?
Of course once you do find a potential donor you don't want to scare them off! There are hundreds of thousands of non profits and charity's out there. How are they to know you are even legit? Here are a few simple questions you should try and answer to try and communicate to your donors that will help them feel much better about helping your fundraising efforts.
- Why was the organization founded?
- What is unique about your issue or your solution?
- Have you ever been recognized for your work?
- Who have you already helped?
With these twelve questions you will be on your way to improving your fundraising efforts!
