For small nonprofits that are struggling to raise money, it’s tempting to imagine that there’s a secret meeting.
You know, the meeting where all the donors from your town get together on Zoom and decide not support your organization.
If your fundraising life feels that way, you might consider asking yourself a couple of questions.
- Does your fundraising make it clear what will happen when the donor gives a gift, stated in concrete (not conceptual) language?
- Have you told people how a gift to your organization will improve a situation that they care about?
- If donating to your organization might feel risky to donors, what can you do to make it feel less risky?
- When donors have given to your organization in the past, did your organization take the credit (“Look at what our team accomplished!”) or did you give the credit away to donors (“Look at what you and your generosity accomplished!”)?
- Does your fundraising make it clear that you need their help? If not, are you able to boldly and vulnerably ask for support?
When a nonprofit feels like the biggest secret in town, it’s usually something about their fundraising that’s keeping it that way.
