| Successful Fundraising begins with the basic need to | | | | momentum through trust and relational equity, which |
| engage the hearts and minds of potential donor--not | | | | translates into value and worth. Find creative ways to |
| just their checkbooks. In this article, you will receive | | | | demonstrate progress. Do your donors feel like they |
| 9 Tips on how to effectively show donors a positive | | | | are walking through the process and journeying as a |
| return on their investment. | | | | partner with you? |
| Engage More Than A Checkbook. | | | | Connect The Dots. |
| You need to touch your donors on an emotional level. | | | | With so many causes vying for attention and funding |
| For some it may be cathartic or out of a sense of | | | | dollars, why should people choose your cause? Too |
| duty, for others it may be a personal interest or an | | | | often appeal letters spend more time asking for |
| emotional draw. Regardless of the type or amount of | | | | money than convincing you why your investment is |
| the Ask--find ways to highlight that the program or | | | | vital in giving oxygen to the life of a worthy program |
| project is about more than just the money. Think of | | | | or project. Don't make them struggle to figure out |
| ways you can reinforce the power and benefits of | | | | your strategy. Explain why pieces of your timeline or |
| working together. In what ways are you creating, | | | | proposal are key and the reason you are soliciting |
| solving a problem, or bringing justice to a worthy | | | | their involvement. Effectively link their partnership to |
| cause that you can mutually embrace? | | | | a successful outcome. Help guide potential donors by |
| Tell The Story. | | | | connecting the dots for them. |
| Every need, project and program is unique. However, | | | | Reinforce Their Investment. |
| it's critical that you are able to express it in a way | | | | Find innovative ways to underscore the importance |
| that people actually care. How can you move it from | | | | of their investment, and your gratitude. Videotape |
| the conceptual stage and off of the white board to | | | | short interviews with recipients or send a |
| tell the story? Consider ways to make your | | | | personalized letter or report with testimonials and |
| solicitation and communications 3-D. Talk about the | | | | photos that illustrate the value of their gift. Dedicate |
| seed vision, the back story--everyone likes to hear | | | | portions of the project to them. Place their name on |
| the back story, the history, challenges, victories and | | | | a wall, stepping-stone, bench or plaque. Honor their |
| the players on the line and behind the scenes. Make | | | | dedication and generosity in a special section on your |
| the beneficiaries come to life and conclude with your | | | | website, newsletter, article or annual report. Send a |
| grand finale--the success or launch of your vision that | | | | project-associated gift as a token of your |
| will touch lives and make a quantifiable difference. It's | | | | appreciation for their contribution. The idea is to |
| your story--no one can tell it better than you, so | | | | recognize them in the fulfillment of your vision and as |
| make it worthwhile! | | | | an ongoing reminder to them, of your worthwhile |
| Personal Involvement. | | | | cause. |
| Encourage donors to get involved at the ground level. | | | | Propagate The Message. |
| Create volunteer scenarios, pair them up with a staff | | | | Be sure your message is clear and the goals of the |
| or board member; introduce them to a recipient who | | | | project are realistic and easily understood. Make it |
| personally benefited from project funding, or one of | | | | inspiring, interesting and informative. When you do |
| your key partners. People learn so much more by | | | | secure initial funds, beat the drums and blow the |
| experiencing projects hands-on versus merely reading | | | | horn! Get the word out challenging others to step up |
| or talking about them. People give to people, so it is | | | | and get involved as well. That's why matching grants |
| not surprising that we have a desire to see our | | | | and funding proposals are a win-win. Rally the |
| investment touch us in a personal way as well. | | | | troops--use word of mouth, intentional networking |
| Make It Relevant To Them. | | | | and social media to propagate your message. People |
| Map it, graph it, chart it... but make sure it is relevant | | | | are more apt to get involved and stay involved when |
| to them. As a distinction, you may be tempted to | | | | they see others doing the same. |
| show the number of buildings you have built or | | | | Seeing is Believing. |
| supplies that have been purchased, but that's not | | | | Make it tangible. Nothing is more genuine and |
| enough. Tell why the buildings, supplies, programs or | | | | gratifying than to experience firsthand, the fruits of |
| medicine are important. Show it, but also tell it. With | | | | our time, effort, money or labor. Invite prospects or |
| proper supplies and education, for example, families | | | | donors to catch the vision up close and personal. |
| can now learn how to build wells or farm their own | | | | Take them on a tour, give hands-on demos of new |
| land and become independent productive members | | | | products, visit recipients who have personally |
| of society. Craft your presentation to anticipate their | | | | benefited from a money grant, walk the land you've |
| questions and interests. It's not just about building | | | | broken ground for, or arrange to have them meet |
| permits, mortar or medical supplies--it's about real | | | | key people. When people engage with the vision in a |
| lives being touched in specific ways. | | | | tangible way, they see the significance of their |
| Show Progress. | | | | investment, and that transforms the vision into |
| Donors need to know they are important every step | | | | reality. Seeing is believing! |
| of the way, not just when they write a funding | | | | Monetary gifts are essential to launch a project or |
| check. Show progress through verbal updates and | | | | program, but remember--you must engage hearts |
| comprehensive materials along with clear and | | | | and minds to keep the vision alive. |
| consistent communication. This will help build | | | | |