Ridiculous Top 16!
Sorry, I’m in a bad mood today. Probably shouldn’t be writing this post. But Roger promised that we would “shake things up a bit more” this year. So here goes.
I opened this recent article in Fundraising Success with great anticipation — 16 Provocative Ideas That Will Raise More Money. Helluva promise. This was supposed to be the best of the IFP International Conference on Fundraising. Who could resist?!
But then I read the article.
Here’s the list:
- Go all out for monthly donors on your homepage*
- Focus on fewer — not more donors*
- Encourage restricted giving
- Get rid of the words
- Get rid of ‘unmet needs,’ ‘programs,’ ‘services’
- Make your case like a series of ads
- Hire more fundraisers
- Give your fundraising staff raises
- Get rid of the raise money now mind-set*
- You must give your staff management training
- Get rid of lousy board members now
- Be blatant
- Stop talking about the money you need*
- Become a shrink when dealing with volunteers
- Don’t believe your prospect, when he says, “I’m just a plain ol’ country boy”
- Close down some programs
This is the best advice on offer?!
I’ve placed an asterisk on the four that — in amended versions — might make my top ten list of “ideas that will raise more money.”
Go all out for monthly donors on your homepage — HUGE opportunity, but a tough sell on the home page … it can introduce, but better make sure the jump page really hammers home the case. I suspect that’s what was meant.
Focus on fewer — not more donors — to a point. You know Roger and I always recommend sifting through that file … and spending money on demonstrably valuable donors. But most organizations do need/want to grow. Learn how to clone those ‘best’ donors.
Get rid of the raise money now mind-set — see, to some degree, this is the counterpoint to the previous item. “Money now” would say focus on fewer donors. This is a balancing act folks. And yes, it is possible to prospect for quality. Think lifetime value (i.e., the future), and invest accordingly.
Stop talking about the money you need — this one I buy totally. ‘Need’ is all about your clients or the folks you’re trying to help or the problem you’re solving. It’s not about your bills … unless we’re talking about sustainer giving, where loyalty to your organization begins to come more into play.
Harumpff!
Any of the other twelve you think should be on my list?
Tom
7 responses to “Ridiculous Top 16!”
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Happy Monday morning from a faithful, grateful reader of the Agitator. I agree with your four picks. The point I would banish from this and everl such list is “Encourage restricted giving,” replacing it with “Practice making a compelling, winsome case for unrestricted support that connects with donors’ hearts and imaginations.” Leading with unrestricted is lazy fundraising.
Tom.. thanks for the feedback. I’m looking forward to seeing the suggestions your readers will have for improving the list! In the meantime, want to write up your Top 10 list for inclusion in an article for Today in Fundraising, FS’ daily e-letter? (Come on, you all but begged me to ask you!)
So I have two for the top 16… oh, what the heck. Let’s just cut to the chase and say these deserve to hold the Number One and Number Two spots: 1.) Do a better job at thanking your donors, both new and loyal, and 2.) Do a better job at sending regular and relevant communications to your donors, post-acquisition, including a welcome pack. Hardly anyone is doing this! Plus, it was Today In Fundraising that just recently reported on how CARE’s post-acq donor comms plan boosted retention by sixteen percent. They retain because they MAIL… which might actually give you #3 for the list: don’t ignore “dead media” just because it’s not sexy anymore; direct mail and e-mail still work. Period.
Hey Tom, sorry you didn’t like my list! But at least I accomplished the “provocative” part. : )
But, hey, the list was NOT the top ideas from the conference. That would be an entirely different list.
Read again. It’s a list of some interesting ideas I heard that might challenge the typical status quo inside organizations. Whether we agree with them or not is another conversation.
I personally thought that Penelope Burk’s comment that we should all focus on raising more restricted money was the most provocative of all. Thought that would roll some eyes!
I don’t know if I’d call this a provocative idea but to echo Lisa, “say thank you…again!” Generic thank you by email is better than nothing but I think the best is a hand-written thank you note or call from a board member. Also calls from board members are a great way to start integrating the board into fundraising activities without going straight for an ask.
I’m with Lisa and Cheryl on this one. Donor love is the only legitimate – I would go so far as to say honest – method to long-term, sustainable funding.
Thank you for another great article. I agree with the fellow posters that thanking the donor is critical, but how about some new ideas on thanking them?
Most donors do not brag to their friends about the charitable donations they make, but they sure don’t mind when their friends find out.
Here’s an idea I love: Making a post on their Facebook wall saying “Thank you so much for your contribution, Tom…You are a real supporter of the (need) and we at (charity) really appreciate your support!”
You accomplish two things here… First, you thank the donor in a very flattering way. Second, you put your charity in front of Tom’s social network in a peer-recommended way.
Now for all you old-timers that think Social Media is for kids… I’ve done this in a newspaper for a small group of donors (I call it a “Thank you Ad”) and had major results: “I’d like to donate to (need)… when are you running the next ad?”