Is Your Organization Aiming for the Fundraising Bull’s Eye?

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Fundraising as a Dart Game: Are You Guessing your way Along?

Fundraising as a Dart Game: Are You Guessing your way Along?

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.

Handshake | Gail Perry

Partner with us.

Find out how we can help you achieve your fundraising goals with world-class consulting and custom training.

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.

Find out more here about my Highly Profitable Fundraising Toolkit.

Let’s have some fun, lay down some terrific plans and change the world together!