From war to famine with a huge dose of inflation, threats to democracy and mass shootings thrown in. But you already know the litany of economic , humanitarian, and political disasters.  No need for detailed background.  Seems like we’re being hit with everything but locusts.

The bottom-line question is: What’s the best course of action in this final, and generally most important half of the fundraising year.

Here are The Agitator’s 7 Survival Tips for 2022.

Tip #1.  Don’t Whine.  The situation is what it is.  You can cry all you want craven behavior of politicians, the mendacity of the gun makers, and the horrific atrocities of Putin and the meltdown of your donors’ 401(K)’s and IRAs. But, hey, you’re not being paid as a pundit.  You’re a fundraiser.  Get a grip.  Remain calm.  Set out a pro-active plan and execute it  — NOW.

Tip #2. Re-Project and Take it Upstairs.  Denial got most of the world into the ill-prepared state we’re now in, and it’ll do the same to your organization.  So, face reality and let management know you’re probably not going to make the numbers for 2022.  The reality is that giving drops like a rock in economic hurricanes like we’re now in, not to mention the ton of other mega-dilemmas.  So, don’t go whistling past the graveyard.  Re-project.  Get real.

Tip #3.  Advance the timetable for your year-end campaigns .  Don’t assume that all this bad news will blow over by the time you’re slated to launch your year-end appeals in November.  It won’t.  But most organizations will follow their business-as-usual patterns and do the same thing they’ve been doing for years.  This is where you can benefit from quick moves and flexibility.

• Go to your donors now – tell them why the need is so great especially in light of inflation.
• If you’re an advocacy organization explain why it’s important to get ready –right now—for November mid-terms, a new Congress and the certain assault on individual rights and democracy itself.
• If you’re a human needs charity explain how many more needs you have at this moment of war, famine, and inflation. Show them how much more it costs to serve each beneficiary.

And don’t forget to also tell them you know they’re feeling the pinch as well.  Tell them why –together – your organization and they can make a huge difference right now.

Tip #4.  Resist Your Natural Instincts.  In tough times the natural instinct is to pull back, conserve and not take chances.  Wrong.  Your job now, more than in normal times, is to weigh risk and weigh it carefully.  What is the longer-term risk of not going forward with that acquisition campaign?  What is the longer-term risk of eliminating a testing program?  You may save immediate money that can make 2022’s bottom line better, but you’re probably digging a hole for 2023, 2024 and 2025.   See Tip #2 above and discuss the implications of all this with management.

Tip #5.  Engage your core donors as you never have before.   Your best donors are your best hope for sustaining your income in the months ahead.  They will understand your predicament, and historically have increased their giving during rough times.  Now’s a great time to get on the phone with them or send them a letter explaining why you need them more than ever.  Believe me, they’ll respond.

Pay special attention to your monthly donors.  In many cases these donors are folks on fixed incomes and so inflation bites extra hard for them.  But they know these are especially difficult times for those they want to help. So, thank them often and remind them even more often of the good deeds their kindness and consistent giving makes possible.

Tip #6.  Do not lose the courage of your convictions.  In times like these the most successful fundraisers are those who activate their core donors, do not stray from emphasizing their organization’s fundamental purpose, and position their programs for the better times that will surely come.  Now, if ever, is the time to form a bond in this crucible of hard times between your donors and your organization.

Get rid of the old formulaic year-end appeals.  Be clear with your donors about what will happen if money isn’t raised. Be specific about alternative ways your donors can help – if not in a single amount, then in installments, if not with a gift of securities, then perhaps with a paid-up life insurance policy.  Now, if ever, is the time to challenge your donors to come up with answers that will help advance your shared concerns and mutual mission in tough times.

Tip #7.  Don’t expect that the “good old days” will ever return.  They won’t.  In fact, the ‘good old days’ have been going downhill for some time.  The current multi-front meltdown will only accelerate the decline.

Seize the opportunity inherent in all this turmoil and re-think, re-design and re-invigorate your fundraising efforts and programs.

Opportunity knocks.

Roger