How to be a Successful Fundraiser

Fundraising is the process of convincing people to part with their hard-earned money and gift it to your organization, and it’s arguably the most critical component for any nonprofit organization to flourish. If you want to change the world you have to know how to pay for it, and - unless you are independently wealthy - that money comes from fundraising with gracious donors inspired by your mission. Think of the countless great ideas and causes that die on the vine every day because they don’t have the capital to get off the ground. Asking for donations from donors is never easy, but by the end of this blog you will have tips and tricks to help you raise money, and hopefully shed the negative view around fundraising.

Your Attitude Toward Money

What is your relationship with money? Talking about money is usually taboo, embarrassing, and makes most people uncomfortable. If you have ever tried to split the check with friends or family after dinner, you can probably relate. Before you begin fundraising for your organization and fuel your dreams you will need to separate yourself from your past relationship with money. Be proud of the important fundraising your group does. You have nothing to be ashamed of! When you ask donors for money you are giving them the opportunity to be a positive advocate of change in this world. Remember, you aren’t asking for money, your nonprofit organization is.

Building Profitable Relationships

Fundraising isn’t transactional, it’s relational. People don’t give money to ideas, they give money to other people. There are people who will gladly donate to your organization but it’s essential to build a relationship with them first. Potential fundraising donors aren’t ATMs, they’re people just like you! Building donor engagement is about the relationship between a fundraiser and their donors. A fundraising specialist named Kara Logan summarized it best at a TEDx Talk in Berlin, “The only difference between really wealthy people and us is that they have more money than us. That’s it. Don’t overcomplicate it.” Building a relationship takes work but if you follow the golden rule your relationship will also be golden. Treat others how you want to be treated.

How to Ask for What You Want

If you have identified and resolved your biases towards money and put in the networking necessary for the development of a good relationship with your potential donor you are ready to ask for what you want. When you are ready to ask, please remember that you are not asking for yourself. It’s not a personal favor, it’s philanthropy. You are asking on behalf of all the fundraising organization you serve, so there’s no need to be nervous when speaking to donors. Also, be yourself. Human beings are excellent at spotting deception, so don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Authenticity is everything! If they say no, that’s okay. Even a great fundraiser will be told no some of the time. Remember, if you don’t ask for money you won’t get any money. As famous ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky put it, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”