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Build Relationships for Fundraising Success

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Build Relationships for Fundraising Success

I recently accompanied a client to a meeting with a fund manager at a national bank. The fund manager oversees several family foundations and community trusts based in Tarrant County, some of which had funded our client’s organization in the past. We wanted to meet so that the new Development Director could introduce herself, share recent updates, and get feedback on the grant process.  Over coffee, the fund manager encouraged her to apply to any trusts in her portfolio that seemed like a good fit for the organization’s mission and programs. Her strategy when reviewing applications was to review each application on behalf of the trust itself, not the bank. So, receiving multiple applications during the same grant cycle from the same organization was not discouraged. In fact, it was welcomed.

Develop Your Precious Volunteer Resources

Develop Your Precious Volunteer Resources

It is “high season” for our community’s nonprofit events, campaigns, and board meetings, which inspired me to pull this “Key Points Summary” regarding developing volunteer resources from a presentation I made a few years ago to our Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Chapter.  It is from the handout we provided to accompany Project Partners’ presentation titled “Volunteers.  You Can’t Live With Them.  You Can’t Live Without Them.”, one of my favorites.  (We know good things come to those who train!) Having served more than 250 boards, committees, and task forces, (and counting), I promise these principles stand the test of time and will help guarantee your success:

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Prevent “Fight or Flight” Fundraising

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Prevent “Fight or Flight” Fundraising

A tornado rips through a nearby neighborhood, displacing families from their homes.

An animal hoarding case is discovered, resulting in hundreds of pets in need of immediate medical care and adoption.

A power outage hits a community food bank, resulting in the spoilage of a devastating amount of donated groceries.

Crises like these make people feel compelled to help, to volunteer, and to donate. For nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations, there may be periods of time where every day feels like an emergency. When crisis strikes, a well-crafted campaign can bring in a lot of funds very quickly benefiting the donors (giving them a way to help), the organization, and most importantly the clients served. However, it is important to avoid slipping into what I call “fight or flight” fundraising – using messages of desperation or crisis to compel people to give to your organization on a regular basis. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

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Celebrate your Board

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Celebrate your Board

In addition to my professional work with nonprofits as a Senior Consultant with Project Partners, I also support a few organizations as a volunteer. Aside from the enjoyment of serving with other people with common interests and passions, I love being able to give back to my community in this way. There are also professional benefits, in that I learn so much along the way that I can share with clients. Over the Fourth of July weekend, I was given a fantastic lesson in board engagement.

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One Day, A Grant Seeker Became a Grant Maker: 3 Takeaways for Funder Communications

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One Day, A Grant Seeker Became a Grant Maker: 3 Takeaways for Funder Communications

I have been responsible for preparing and submitting grant proposals for nonprofit organizations for nearly 20 years. I haven’t counted, but I’d bet the number of grant applications and requests I’ve written is in the hundreds.

I’ve also led program development and implementation, which necessarily includes making the case to stakeholders (community members, potential participants, bosses, funders, etc.) for why a given program is needed, how it will make a difference, and why they should get involved.

And of course, there are overlapping duties and opportunities – events, site visits, presentations, and reports. (As a fellow nonprofit management professional, you know what I’m talking about.) Altogether, I have had countless conversations and other communications with major funders. But only recently have I been one.

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