- Build Leaders. As with every other task we take on, fundraising is a great opportunity for leadership development. Some ideas:
- Involve your leaders in event planning
- Set goals for your board members and other leaders
- Base individual goals on an overall group goal
- Track group performance publicly
- Establish a fundraising committee
- Have each co-chair recruit 4-5 people for their group
- Keep careful records of how everyone does
- Ask the person who does the best to be co-chair for next year
- Use gift ranges. It can sometimes feel less awkward to ask people to give somewhere in a range than to ask for a very specific amount. (Example: “$600-$1200 would give us $50 to $100 a month that we could fight with in your name.”)
- Have a reason for your ask. Sometimes people are curious and will ask you why a certain number. Have a reason at the ready. (Example: $1800 is a penny for every fast food worker in New York State; $2000 would cover a bus to Albany and back for the upcoming rally.)
- Ask frequently. Ask at every possible opportunity. Instill the expectation of giving. Don’t be shy talking about money. If you’re not feeling confident at first, then fake it til ya make it!
- Ask your volunteers. There is no reason to separate your volunteers from your givers. Those who give their time will often also give money, even if they don’t have much.
- Ask personally. Cultivate donors by meeting with them individually, listening to their stories, identifying their self-interest and finding a way to relate the work of the group.
- Ask publicly. Make asks at meetings, events, parties, picnics, and anywhere you go.
- Ask repeatedly. People often give more than once a year to organizations and causes they champion. The science of fundraising suggests asking people to give again every 4-5 months.
- Ask, ask, ask. Nobody will give who isn’t asked. Here are some helpful ways to ask:
- “Would you consider a gift of $_____?”
- “Honestly, I have no idea how much to ask you for, but is a gift of $______ something you would consider?”
- Always thank them. Be grateful, but not so overly effusive that it seems you didn’t expect them to give. When you get the biggest donation of your life, act like you’ve been there before.