Is Your Organization Aiming for the Fundraising Bull’s Eye?
Where are you with your fundraising plans?
Are you playing the fundraising “dart game” by any chance?
There’s a game that many nonprofits play called “Aim for the Fundraising Bull’s Eye.”
It’s the game of searching, searching for the fundraising strategy that will finally pay off.
The problem is – that it’s a guessing game.
When you have to guess your way to increased fundraising contributions and gifts – it’s doubtful that you’ll actually hit the bulls eye.
Let’s have a bit of fun and see where your organization stacks up in the “Aim for The Fundraising Bull’s Eye” game. :)
Let’s see how efficient and effective your own fundraising plans, strategies and tactics are.
Outer Ring Fundraising
When your darts keep hitting the outer ring, alas, you’re clearly in a “Hit or Miss” situation.
Your “strategy” — if you can call it that — is all over the place. Just like these old darts.
And your fundraising is floundering as a result. Here’s what’s probably happening:
- Your organization sets fundraising goals in a vacuum, based on various people’s personal opinions and preferences. (“I can’t stand direct mail!”)
- Your board is detached and disengaged. They are uncomfortable with the idea of fundraising – which they equate with “asking for money.”
- Your organization’s leadership is also nervous about fundraising – so there’s a distant relationship with fundraising staff.
- Your organization’s donors think they are personally treated like ATMs. Not a great recipe for long-term relationships!
Inner Ring Fundraising
You are moving toward the bull’s eye on the dart board. Your fundraising plans are a work in progress.
- You’re getting more internal people involved in the discussion, so there is broader support for fundraising among your colleagues.
- Your board is more engaged. They are all donating, and they understand the importance of opening doors and making connections with their active and affluent friends.
- Leadership gives fundraising staff a voice at the table. They listen and try to understand you. No one is coming at you at the 11th hour to fund a program you weren’t a part of from the start.
- You’re thanking your donors. Quickly and with feeling. That’s good. They are beginning to feel like they are not exactly one-night stands as far as your organization is concerned.
Smart Fundraising Plans Yield Bull’s Eye Fundraising
There’s a strong culture of philanthropy within your organization.
- In the fundraising department, there’s a plan everybody is following.
- Messaging is consistent and donor-centered.
- Direct mail folks aren’t afraid to turn “their” names over to major gifts, and major gifts regularly funnels names to planned giving.
- Programs, marketing and communications, fundraising are all working collaboratively.
- The lines of communication with leadership are open and flowing; your CEO is engaged with donors and supporting your team’s goals at all times.
Your board is totally on board.
- They’re engaged and excited about your mission – ready to take action and go to work.
- They GIVE! Big and regularly.
- They make introductions and use their connections to open doors.
- They understand fundraising and are willing to be part of it (in ways that include asking but other ways as well).
Your donors are happy.
- Some have deep relationships with your organization.
- You speak a donor-centered language.
- You bless them with the opportunity to give, rather than trying to hit them with a hello and run away with their money.
And a bonus sign that you’re in the bull’s-eye?
- You’re raising money.
- Awesome amounts of money. Mega-amounts. More money than you ever thought possible.
- All because you are working from well-structured fundraising plans.
If you hit the bull’s-eye — GREAT! And congratulations!
But even if your dart ricocheted off the target, took off someone’s ear and flattened a tire in the parking lot, you can turn things around.
Fundraising Plans Save The Day
It all starts with a plan that everyone agrees on. Then you can sleep at night.
If you need help creating a sane fundraising plan that will:
- Help you focus your time and energy.
- Control the flow of work in your office.
- Protect you from your leadership’s fundraising “idea of the month.”
- Allow you to be proactive rather than reactive.
- Allow you to build confidence in your fundraising program.
Then check out my brand new Highly Profitable Fundraising Toolkit.
You’ll get the templates, worksheets and 4 hours of video training with me to help you and your team MAX OUT your fundraising potential.
