Make “Small” Your Advantage

April 26, 2010      Admin

Not every Agitator reader has a multi-million dollar fundraising and communications budget to work with!

So we keep an eye out for fundraising advice that’s especially relevant for smaller nonprofits. Here’s an example from Doodig Blogs.

This article — 5 Top Fundraising Mistakes Made By Small Nonprofits — stresses five points … all essentially about donor communications:

  1. Not thanking donors. 
  2. Beyond "thank you," failure to communicate. 
  3. Communicating poorly.
  4. Static website.
  5. Lack of exposure.

I’d stress the first three. But you know what? Small nonprofits — especially local, community-based organizations — have a terrific advantage over their behemoth national and international cousins.

That advantage is their potential for greater intimacy and immediacy with their donors. And that’s what makes the communications issue so important. From email and online social media to mail to face-to-face interaction, the small nonprofit has the opportunity to establish authentic personal contact and rapport with donors. And not just with major donors.

If a local nonprofit is in fact getting the job done on the ground, truly making a difference, then it should never — short of death or relocation — lose a donor. How’s that for an audacious goal?

Tom

P.S. And hey, you big guys, small is the new big … even for you! Read Seth Godin on the subject