Today we’re going to talk about your NPO’s biggest time and energy waster: chasing donors.
But, Rhea, isn’t that basically what fundraising is?
I know, I know. Somewhere along the line, we’ve all had the same misconception that scoring big donations requires buckets full of blood, sweat, tears, and maybe a little groveling too.
But, what if I told you success should actually feel like hopping in a car with four of your best friends, listening to everyone’s mutually favorite tunes on your way to do stuff that everyone mutually loves?
Well, Rhea, I’d say that sounds like an early 2000s roadtrip RomCom, not a serious fundraising strategy.
You’re right. It does sound a little far-fetched if you’ve been metaphorically thumbing your way to California up till now.
But, the point is this:
Fundraising should be relational, not transactional.
If you’re building your NPO on top of a donor base that you’ve dragged into the car kicking and screaming, you aren’t going to get very far—and you aren’t going to do a lot of good either.
You need people in your donor base, on your board, and partnering with you who love the vision and mission just as much as you do if you’re going to surpass all your fundraising goals.
So, how do you begin to make the shift from transactional to relational fundraising?
First, you have to start by 10x’ing your mindset. You have to think about your present with the future in mind, not the past.
Just because you’ve never doubled or tripled in a year, that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question for the future. Allow yourself to aim high.
Second, when you aim high, plan for huge donations by setting up the framework to receive them and put them to good use.
Make sure you have the strategy, vision, systems, operations, and people in place so your donors can trust that you won’t just run out of gas halfway to California.
Third, don’t forget about the donors who have already demonstrated that they care about what you’re doing.
Focus on being consistent and delivering value to your raving fans. Tell them stories of what their donation has done. Thank them publicly. Maintain the relationship because they are the real besties of your NPO. Without their resources, the mission doesn’t happen.
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I recorded a podcast episode with three of my business besties on this very topic. And, yes, true to the analogy, we hit record while huddled around the mic in a car. 😄
Join us for the conversation as I chat with Brooke Richie-Babbage, Cindy Wagman, and Jess Campbell about “How to stop chasing donors and 10x your thinking.”
This episode feels a little different than past episodes not just because we’re coming to you from behind the steering wheel, but because these are some of my favorite non-profit ladies who really know their stuff when it comes to fundraising with the right mindset, the right strategies, and the right people in place. And they have the track record to prove that it works.
Grab your favorite road trip snacks and hop right in while we talk about how you can start attracting like-minded individuals who will fund your vision gladly, not because they feel pressured to do so out of guilt, obligation, or simply to get you off their backs.
- How you can change your scarcity mindset.
- How you can tell stories that your donors actually want to hear.
- How to fundraise without fear of rejection.
- How to make friends with people who have the capacity to help.
And so much more…
Buckle up, enjoy, and please leave a review if you learn something new!
Listen to the full episode here 🎧: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/257-how-to-stop-chasing-donors-and-10x-your-thinking/id1436858854?i=1000630681751
