6 Habits Of Fundraising Excellence, Plus 2
Pamela Barden offered 6 Habits of Fundraising Excellence in an article last week in Fundraising Success.
I thought it was a great list, but like all lists, it prompted me to think about whether there was anything I might add.
First, her list:
- Curiosity — questioning and challenging
- Appreciation of people — donors are not ‘records’ or ‘giving units’
- Ability to apply information — finding patterns and actionable insights in the blizzard of available information
- Passion to learn — vow never to be the person who stopped learning [Editor: if someone says that about you, you have two choices — be insulted or resign.]
- Willingness to submerge your own feelings — you are not the target audience [Editor: even if you see yourself as an ardent member of the same committed tribe as your donors, you are still different … at the very least, as an insider you know far more, you swim in the detail, and you approach the situation more rationally.]
- Commitment to the highest ethics –a bedrock quality.
Great advice from Pamela.
I’d add two more points.
Think beyond your immediate domain — yes, you might be ‘only’ the online fundraising manager or the direct mail person, but be aware of the bigger picture … how the pieces fit together, how activities outside your immediate control might affect donor commitment and response (e.g, donor/customer service), fundraising opportunities created by fresh program developments. As a fundraiser=marketer, arrogantly think of everything your organization does as ‘marketing’ … and weigh in.
Study your competition — know everything about your competitive set. Sharply present your points of distinction, but copy shamelessly tactics that are working better than yours.
Anything else you’d add? This is now a list of eight. That’s a non-list … you know a decent list should be 10. What two bits of advice would you add for anyone seeking to attain fundraising excellence?
Tom
6 responses to “6 Habits Of Fundraising Excellence, Plus 2”
Behavioral Science Q & A
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I’m not aware of any in-market tests specifically comparing recurring vs. gift frequency language. I suspect the answer might not be the same with all gift frequencies, nor with all people. It sounds like a great opportunity for you to test and find out what works for your audience. Based on the literature, here’s a couple […]
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I’m not an expert in this but a quick search surfaced this article on the effect of tax reforms on 2019’s charitable giving. The researchers didn’t find a reduction. Actually, they observed an “increase in charitable contributions in 2019, even with the lower tax rates and the dramatically smaller number of taxpayers who itemize their […]
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Avoid silos. Everything is connected – within fundraising and within your organization. Apply systems thinking.
Know enough about things outside of fundraising techniques – to help identify and solve problems and create opportunities. For example, how can you be a chief development officer and not be well informed about governance?
See my job description and monograph “Choosing your road – organizational development specialist or just another fundraising technician” in the Free Download Library on my website.
I would add to this great list the ability to work hard. Do you really give 40 hours of consistent work to your chosen goal? it is so easy to become “busy” without doing “work” that furthers your fundraising goals and that of the NPO.
This goes with Pamela’s number 5, I guess, but be a good listener. You interest people (like donors) and you learn a great deal if you spend more time with your ears open than with your mouth open.
And I love Simone’s point about things outside of fundraising. I remember people being surprised when I worked at a theater that I could talk about plays with them – not just what was on stage, but dramatic lit in general. I guess they didn’t expect a fundraiser to have an interest beyond that realm. But it definitely built some great bridges!
I love all the added input! Just this morning, I reviewed a 3″ stack of direct mail I received in February from nonprofits of all genres. Silos? Hate ’em! Learn all you can; listen always. We’re blessed to be fundraisers!
Be a donor yourself. It reminds you of your own best intentions and missed opportunities. It keeps you in touch with the intangibles and emotional elements of giving. A great reminder of the need for timeliness, personal connection, clean data and compelling needs.
I would add: Give Yourself a Break! Self-care matters (for fundraising professionals and everyone else). Develop interests outside of work; do something creative throughout your life; spend time nurturing friendships; take your vacations. Love yourself and you’ll have a greater capacity to love your donors and co-workers.