Selecting a campaign consultant is one of the most important decisions your organization will make. The right partner can elevate your fundraising efforts, sharpen your strategy, and ultimately help you achieve results that might otherwise feel out of reach. But not all consultants are created equal. Beyond credentials and polished presentations, there are a few essential qualities that truly set the best apart.
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Fear shows up in fundraising more often than we might want to admit. I’ve been a fundraiser for almost 30 years, and I can still remember being absolutely terrified the first time I met with a donor. A little negative voice was whispering doubts to me: What if I stumble when I ask for a gift? What if the donor says no? What if I get fired if this doesn’t go well? What if the donor just doesn’t like me? What if, what if, what if…?
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As we were discussing hiring their first ever Director of Development, a client asked why it’s considered unethical for a fundraiser not to get a percentage of what they raise. Someone coming from a more corporate background may see it as a no-brainer to compensate a fundraiser for what they raised because in sales that’s the norm. However, fundraisers who belong to AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) sign a code of ethics, which includes the following statement: Support fair and equitable compensation, which may include bonuses or merit pay in line with organizational practices but may never be based on a percentage of funds raised.
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Fundraising demands both our left-brain and right-brain. If you’re going to move the financial needle for your nonprofit and motivate your donors to practice their philanthropy with confidence, compassion, and courage, we must be adept at both thinking and feeling.
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Do you ever have a moment when you think, “I can’t do this?” In recent, unsettling days, I occasionally watch too much news or look at Facebook or LinkedIn and think, “How in the world am I going to make any kind of difference at all? What’s the point?”
And then…when I feel useless and ineffective…a client shares the story of someone’s life who has been changed or impacted by their growing mission. And I stop and realize that each person counts for SO much. Each day counts for SO much. I can’t save the whole world. I can’t solve all the problems. I’m not going to be everything to everybody.
Read MoreWhen gearing up to conduct a multimillion-dollar campaign, preparation is everything. CEOs and board members often question the need to invest time and money into a Readiness Assessment and a Feasibility Study. These tools can make or break your campaign. Ask your board if they would invest in a for-profit business that hasn’t done its homework…one that hasn’t talked with investors, or researched the infrastructure that will ensure success, or identified the tools and staffing needed to get it off the ground. The same goes for organizing a capital or comprehensive campaign.
Read More38 days…just 38 days until December 31. My dear fundraisers, deep breaths. We’re all sprinting towards the end of the calendar year and stretching for our fundraising goals. What a year it’s been for nonprofits and funders. Am I right?!
Even with a year of ups and downs, it’s still a good idea to pause and ask yourself, “Is our fundraising strategy working as hard as we are?” If you aren’t crushing your fundraising goals, it’s not too late to course correct over the next 38 days.
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