During a meeting, one of our clients brandishes this sticky note, waving it around in victory. “A donor thanked us for asking for money!”
The sticky note is paired with a check in response to the organization’s first print newsletter, which we suggested after continuously positive responses to a monthly email. The print newsletter included a remittance envelope for donors to easily show their support. The contributions made through this remittance envelope paid for the newsletter and brought in additional funding to support programming.
This sticky note embodies fundraising wisdom we impart to all of our clients.
Asking for support isn’t bothersome, it is expected. You are giving your donors an opportunity to support the communities and populations with whom your programs work. Your supporters want to give and as an organization, it is your responsibility to provide them ways to give.
Asking for support isn’t bothersome, it is expected.
We don’t recommend small to medium sized nonprofits Greenpeace-it, meaning send a monthly mailing to cull donors. That method is archaic and ineffective for smaller orgs and we have seen tens of thousands of dollars lost for orgs who remain loyal to the concept.
What organizations should do is regularly “show up” through campaigns that reflect their own unique voice and mission. You need to allow donors to do what they want to do, which is to support you. People want to see the amazing things you are doing with their funding and they want to share those things and their involvement with their communities. Donors want to celebrate your successes and they want to help you when you express need. There are many touch points to have and you should leverage them all; newsletters, appeals, special events, and digital communications.
When we help organizations craft their fundraising strategy, we encourage our clients to always spend the time, energy and funds of keeping in touch with their donors. It pays off in dollars raised and in the sense of community you create. And who knows, you may one day be graced with a sticky note of your own.