I can’t tell you how many non-profit executive directors and board members I talk with that say things like:

“We really need to raise more money, but we just don’t have the time or people to do it.”

Or

“Our organization needs to hire a development director to grow, but we just can’t afford it.”

When I ask these non-profit leaders why they need to raise more money, their answer universally boils down to the fact that they want to serve more people with higher quality services, and need money to do it.

My answer to them is always the same: If you need more money to serve more people, how can you not invest in your fundraising program?

Simply put, fundraising is a question of priorities. 

When a non-profit tells me that they have an annual budget of $700,000, and want to raise more, but can’t afford a consultant or development director to help them, they’re not telling the truth.  They have the money; they are just spending it on other priorities.

Likewise, when an organization tells me that they really need to spend more time cultivating donors, but just don’t have the time or people to do it, and in the next breath tell me that they have 10 people on staff working on programs… then it is clear that they do have enough people to cultivate their donors properly, they are just prioritizing something else.

Non-profits are in business to serve people through their program offerings… so it’s no surprise that so many boards and executive directors prioritize programs over fundraising.  What those leaders – and most non-profit leaders, frankly – don’t understand is that prioritizing fundraising is one of the best ways to prioritize programs.

Think of it this way – you help people, right?  And you want to help more people, don’t you?  And the way to do that, you know, is to raise more money that you can spend on programs.  So why balk at spending an extra 10% on your fundraising program, or dedicating an extra part-time staff member to the development team, if it is going to result in 20% more fundraising, and thus 20% more people served?

It’s time for us, as the non-profit community, to get out of the poverty mindset.  This is an abundant world, and there is money enough for your non-profit to grow and succeed in carrying out its mission.  It’s going to take time, money, and energy to increase your fundraising.  That’s the price we pay to do more good.  But guess what?  It’s worth it.

When you neglect your organization’s fundraising, you neglect your organization’s mission.

Get The Fundraising Help You Need – Registration Closes on Friday!

Remember that our Fundraising Accelerator Program will stop accepting new registrations this Friday, May 17^th at 7PM.  This program is aimed at getting small and mid-sized non-profits the fundraising help they need to dramatically boost their revenue, at a reduced price they can afford.  Click here to learn more or to register today.

Photo Credit: BlueAthena7

As you’ve probably seen from our newsletter, this week we’ve opened up registration for our new Fundraising Accelerator Consulting program.

Today, I want to take the opportunity to answer some of the most common questions I have received about the class.   If you have other questions that aren’t answered below, please send me an e-mail.

What Is Fundraising Accelerator Consulting?

Fundraising Accelerator Consulting is a consulting program targeted specifically at small and medium-sized non-profits.  My goal for this program is to offer professional fundraising strategy and counsel to organizations who think they can’t afford it.

Through this program, I am offering hourly one-on-one phone consulting to non-profits of all sizes at a drastically discounted rate.

Who Would Benefit From Fundraising Accelerator Consulting?

Everyone would… I know that sounds trite, but it’s true.  I’ve spent the past decade working with organizations to drastically increase their fundraising.  I want to help you do the same.

More specifically, I think that board members, executive directors, development directors, development staff members, and those interested in supporting or starting a non-profit would benefit from this program.  There is no defined “agenda” for your consulting time with the Accelerator program – we will cover the topics and questions you have.  You will set the agenda.

How Does The Program Work?

With Fundraising Accelerator Consulting, you can sign up for as little as one hour of phone consulting, or as many as you would like, no limit.  Once you sign up and pay through our automated system, you will receive a scheduling email that will allow you to schedule your consulting hours at a mutually convenient time.

You will also receive a short questionnaire to fill out about your organization so that I can gather a little information about your non-profit and we can hit the ground running during our first call.  All Accelerator Consulting calls are with me, Joe Garecht, the founder of The Fundraising Authority.  During our calls, we can talk about any issue that is facing your non-profit, including:

• How to drastically increase your fundraising
• Ways to find new major donors for your organization
• Maximizing revenue from your events, direct mail, online fundraising, or any other fundraising tactic
• How to come up with a fundraising strategy / plan for your organization
• Or any other topic or question that you would like to focus on

Who Will Be Consulting With Me?

All Fundraising Accelerator Consulting calls will be held directly with me, Joe Garecht, founder of The Fundraising Authority.  I have spent more than a decade helping organizations drastically increase their fundraising, and I’d like to help you do the same.  For more information about me and my background, click here.

Can Multiple Members of My Team Participate?

Yes!  You can have as many members of your staff or team (including board members and volunteers) participate as you like.  We can set-up Fundraising Accelerator Consulting calls as conference calls that allow multiple team members to participate.

Why Does This Offer Have an End Date?

We will only be accepting reservations for Fundraising Accelerator Consulting through Friday, May 18^th at 7PM. This is because the Accelerator program represents a significant discount off of my normal consulting rates.

Each year, I consult with non-profit organizations around the globe to help them raise dramatically more money to serve their mission.  I never offer hourly rates, and instead offer flat project fees for our services.  On those rare occasions when I do offer an hourly rate, my consulting fee is $250/hour.  We are offering Fundraising Accelerator Consulting at just $150/hour, which is a significant discount.  Thus, I need to set a firm end date so that we ensure a limited supply of these consulting hours.

What Does This Program Cost?

The Fundraising Accelerator Consulting Program is being offered at just $150 / hour.  You can order as many hours as you would like.

Can I Buy Hours Now and Save Them for Later?

Yes, you can.  If you purchase 4 hours or under, all hours must be used prior to September 1, 2012.  If you purchase more than 4 hours, you can use any hours in excess of 4 anytime in 2012, provided that they are all used by December 31, 2012.

Is Fundraising Accelerator Consulting Guaranteed?

Yes.  If, after the first hour of consulting, you are not-satisfied, we will refund your purchase in its entirety, including the hour you used and all unused hours.  Because this program represents a significant commitment of both your and my time, after the first hour, we will be unable to offer any refunds.

How Do I Sign Up for Fundraising Accelerator Consulting?

For more information or to reserve your hours now, click here.

Photo Credit: Leo Reynolds

Related posts:

1. 3 Tips for Successfully Working with Fundraising Consultants
2. Accelerating Your Fundraising at Small and Mid-Sized Non-Profits

I often get asked about best practices for non-profits that are interested in working with fundraising consultants.  As a fundraising consultant, I definitely see the value in consulting for organizations both small and large.  Yet, far too many non-profits aren’t sure about how to get the most from a consulting relationship.  If you’re using a fundraising consultant, or are thinking about it, here are three tips for maximizing the value of the consultant to your organization:

1.  Figure out What You Want

If your organization isn’t sure what type of help it needs, a consultant isn’t going to be able to properly assist you.  Good consultants will work with you, before you hire them, to narrow down your wants and needs into a defined project.

Spend time thinking through what type of fundraising help your organization needs.  Are you looking for someone to help you write a fundraising plan?  Do you need a consultant to boost your major giving?  Are you trying to find someone to help you with your events, direct mail, or other tactics?

Next, speak with the consultant(s) you are thinking about using to let them know what you’re looking for.  Spend some time on the phone or in person hashing out and refining your goals for the project, and be sure that both you and your consultant have a clear picture before you sign on the dotted line.

2.  Be Open and Honest with Your Consultant

Far too many times, non-profits will hire a consultant to help them, and then hide some of their major problems from the consultant, out of embarrassment or fear.  Don’t make this mistake!

For example, I knew one organization that hired a consultant to help them boost their major donor giving, but didn’t tell the consulting firm that their most recent development director had soured their relationships with major donors by often flaking out on meetings, not returning calls, and repeatedly lying about the financial strength of the organization.

The consultant spent hours planning a major fundraising campaign based on what she knew about the organization, and didn’t find out about the problems caused by the previous development director until after meeting with the first group of donors regarding the new plan.  The plan the consultant wrote had to be scrapped and re-written to accommodate the current state of the organization, which needlessly delayed the launch of the major donor campaign by over a month.

When you hire a fundraising consultant, be honest about your organization, warts and all, so that the consultant can provide you with maximum help in the minimum amount of time.

3.  Find a Great Consultant – and Then Trust Him or Her

When you are looking for a consultant, find a great one… someone who knows their stuff, and whom you can trust.  Then – let them do their thing.  Don’t hire a consultant because they are so knowledgeable, and then poo-poo their suggested strategies at every meeting.  If they know what they are doing, let them help you.

Of course, you can discuss the recommendations of your consultant, and if they seem outlandish (or possibly unethical), either reject them or do some more research into the issue.  But, for the most part, if you are paying for a consultant’s knowledge, experience, and ideas, use them!

Consulting to Accelerate Your Fundraising

This week, The Fundraising Authority launched an exciting new consulting program for small and mid-sized non-profits called The Fundraising Accelerator.  If you want some professional help to boost your fundraising, but are afraid you can’t afford it, click here to check out The Fundraising Accelerator today!

Photo Credit: VoxPhoto

Let’s face it… small and mid-sized non-profits have different fundraising needs than major organizations.

At large non-profits, there are dozens of professional fundraisers utilizing outside consultants as needed.  At smaller non-profits, there are one, two, or maybe three staff members responsible for fundraising, and affording consultants is just a dream…

At large non-profits, you’ve already got a five-year fundraising plan in place, cultivation strategies laid out, and can afford to attend national development training seminars.  At smaller non-profits, there’s not much time to plan, and training is hard to come by…

At large non-profits, you can find and afford the help you need, when you need it.  At smaller non-profits, you can’t…

Until Now!

Announcing the Launch of The Fundraising Accelerator

I am proud to announce the launch of The Fundraising Accelerator, designed specifically for small and mid-sized non-profits.  My goal in launching The Accelerator is to make sure that every non-profit, no matter how small or large, has the tools and information they need to raise more money, starting today.

If you’re working with a small or mid-sized non-profit as a fundraiser, executive director, staff member, board member, supporter or volunteer, click here check out The Fundraising Accelerator today.

Photo Credit: Cuantofalta

Related posts:

1. Best Fundraising Strategies for Small Non-Profits
2. Fundraising for Small Non-Profits
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The Fundraising Accelerator

Having the support of your board of directors is crucial for your organization’s fundraising success.  Ideally, your board would serve as a key resource, helping you make connections, opening up their rolodexes, and constantly networking on your behalf.  For many non-profits though, this simply doesn’t happen.

In today’s podcast, we talk about the five key reasons why board members are reluctant to help with fundraising, and what your non-profit can do to overcome those objections and motivate them to help:

Also, please note that The Fundraising Authority Podcast is now available on iTunes. To subscribe or listen via iTunes, click here.

Annual donors are the solid base of your fundraising organization.  These donors, who give year in and year out to support your overhead and basic program needs, form the foundation of your non-profit’s revenue and allow you to carry out the work of your organization year after year.

The Basics: What is Annual Giving?

Generally, annual giving is unrestricted money that is given to your organization to be used as part of your general fund.  It is not for your endowment or any of the campaigns you are running.  It is general support from your donor base.  For the most part, these are not major gifts, and instead are small and mid-sized donations.

Here are five great ways to find new annual donors for your non-profit:

#1 – Convert Event Donors

People who sponsor and buy tickets for your fundraising events are excellent annual giving prospects.  I have had great success at several organizations with efforts to convert event donors to annual donors.

The best way to do this is to launch a cultivation process for these donors… once the event is over, be in contact with them, send them updates, give them a call or invite them in for a tour.  Then ask them to give as part of your annual giving campaign.

#2 – Launch a Multi-Format Annual Appeal

If you’re trying to find new annual donors, you should be running a multi-format annual appeal.  First and foremost, if you aren’t sending out an annual appeal via mail (or several annual appeals per year via mail), you should be.  Then, consider what other formats you can use to make asks for annual donations as part of each round of letters.

For example, you could also send out annual appeal letters via e-mail.  For mid-level donors, you can use follow up calls and perhaps even a face to face meeting for your largest annual givers.  The more formats you use, the more annual gifts you will receive.

#3 – Host Multiple Non-Ask Events Per Year

Non-ask events are a phenomenal way to garner new annual support.  These events are short (usually around 1 hour) and, as the name implies, do not involve an ask.  Instead, they are a time for new prospects and community members to hear about your organization.  With the proper follow up, you should be able to convert a good percentage of the attendees into annual givers.

For more information on how to hold non-ask events at your non-profit, read: How to Hold a Non-Ask Event.

#4 – Start New Affinity Groups

Is your organization using affinity groups to cultivate prospects and steward donors?  If not, now is the time to start.  Affinity groups are groups of prospects and donors who share a common trait.  For example, you may have an attorneys group, a young professionals group, or a group of supporters who all live in the northern part of your city.  These groups hold regular events, network, and join together in support of your non-profit.

Affinity groups are a great way to introduce your non-profit to new bases of support, and the attendees at these events are great prospects for your annual giving program.

More information on running affinity groups can be found in our article Creative Fundraising Ideas for Non-Profit Organizations.

#5 – Ask Donors to Hold Hosted Events

Many organizations have found that having their donors, board members, and other supporters host events on their behalf is a good way to bring in new low- and mid-level annual givers.

Under this strategy, a supporter will hold an event in their home (either a fundraising or a non-ask event) and invite their own friends and colleagues to attend the event, eat, drink, and hear about your organization from one of your staff or board members.  Your organization collects the name and contact information of everyone who attends, then follows-up for cultivation and asks.

For more information on how to launch hosted events at your organization, read:  Raising Money Through Hosted Events.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Simms Photography

Related posts:

1. 10 Ways to Supersize Your Donor Cultivation Efforts
2. The Top 8 Ways to Increase Your Prospect List
3. How to Find Strong Candidates for Your Board of Directors

Have you noticed that non-profit organizations seem to go through cycles?

There will be times (often after a new executive comes on board, a major program is launched, or significant press coverage is received) when your staff will be energized, work will get done ahead of schedule, new ideas will spring up, and people will gravitate to your organization…

And, there will be times (often after the completion of a major fundraising campaign, or when a negative report comes out, or when you have a “down” fundraising year), when you board and team will seem de-energized and tired, when work will sit on people’s desks, when calls won’t get made and when it will seem like a fight just to keep your own board and donors engaged, much less find new donors and volunteers…

This life-cycle affects non-profits of all shapes and sizes.  The one thing I have noticed, however, after living and working through many such upturns and downturns, is that the organizations that fare best are those that take proactive steps to turn the ship around and re-energize their team.

If your non-profit seems to have lost its mojo, here are some tips for getting it back:

#1 – Remember that only YOU can get your mojo back!

It’s up to you, as a leader of your non-profit, to work with your team to get re-energized and refocused.  Take responsibility for the situation and get your team on the same page.   Work with other key staff members to get the magic back.

#2 – You must acknowledge the problem.

Too many non-profits are afraid that if they acknowledge that their team is de-energized and de-focused, things will only get worse.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I have found that recognizing and naming the problem greatly speeds recovery time.  So hold a staff or board meeting and state the obvious: we’re in a rut, and we need to get out of it.

#3 – Get focused on your mission.

Many times, the reason an organization loses its mojo is because the staff and board get focused on the process… they spend all of their energy working on the little problems and issues that pop up, instead of focusing on the big picture: your non-profit’s mission.

The best way to get moving again is to get your team focused on your mission.  Remind your staff and supporters why your organization exists in the first place.  Then get your staff and board out into the field to do some work on the ground (for example, if you are a civic organization, spend the day cleaning up the city… if you’re a soup kitchen, have your executive staff work the food line for a day).  Nothing gets your energy back more than seeing all of the good work your non-profit is doing for real people.

For more on staying focused, read Stay Focused Fundraiser!

#4 – Have a plan.  A BIG plan.

Finally, develop a plan for moving forward.  Not a wishy-washy, here’s what we always do so I guess that’s what we’ll do this year too kind of plan.  No, develop a BIG plan for the coming year.  One that is worthy of your mission.  Develop a plan so big and exciting that it can’t help but to re-energize your team (and maybe scare you a little bit too!)  Plans like this serve to re-focus your efforts and get everyone on the same page.  (For more on the benefits of planning BIG, check out this case study).

Then… get out there and do it!  Implement your plan, and keep your vision and your mission front and center.

Photo Credit: DavidRPhoto

Related posts:

1. Case Study: How One Non-Profit Turned Their Fundraising Around through Better Planning
2. How to Increase Your Charity’s Fundraising Profit
3. Effective Time Management for Non-Profit Managers

Guest Post by Kat English

The ‘not for profit’ sector offers a rare feel-good factor, giving workers the chance to make a real difference by helping the people who need it most, but this isn’t a easy job or career path the ‘not for profit’ sector requires passion, commitment and dedication, as well as a willingness to get the job done, no matter what it takes with very little resources and having to create miracles on a daily basis, but these negatives are outweighed by the positives. This is also one of the most rewarding sectors to work in.

A sense of well-being and a feel-good factor.

Many of us chose careers based on location and wage and it is very rare for any of us to finish work and go home feeling that we have changed the world. While working for a charity or ‘not for profit’ company the main benefit for the majority of the employees is the feeling that they have made a positive impact on the world around them with added fulfilment

Transferable skills

Most charities offer a huge variety of job opportunities from fundraising jobs to social worker jobs, so, whatever your chosen career, working within this area should provide you with valuable skills that you can call upon when you come to look for subsequent roles. Of course, having gained experience within the charity sector, many people choose to focus their entire career within this interesting and diverse area. But the simple fact is that whatever work you perform within a charity will transfer into a whole heap of other sectors, giving you a greater chance to get the jobs you want in future.

Experience

For graduates, unpaid internships are increasingly becoming a fact of life, but charities have always provided ample opportunity for the inexperienced to gain valuable knowledge of working within a certain job role. Granted, you won’t be earning a bucketload of cash (well, none at this stage), but it will get you on the first rung of the ladder.

Likewise, if you’re thinking of changing career, or you lack experience within a particular area, the charity sector could pay dividends. As long as you are prepared to do a little pro bono work – although we should make it clear that the vast majority of jobs within the charity sector are well-paid – you can reap the rewards in the form of experience you simply wouldn’t have picked up in any other way.

If you are after a 9 till 5 job then you may have to look elsewhere but after a few years it will provide you with an experience which money wouldn’t be able to buy and the skills you can use for future jobs and careers, so whether you’re looking for something to do as you aren’t sure what you want to do with your life or something, the not for profit sector is a great place to start.

Kat English works with TotalJobs.com, which includes thousands of charity and non-profit jobs.

Photo Credit: VPickering

Guest post by Kari Kiel

While fundraising merchandise sales are hardly new, they been revolutionized over the past few years as new technologies have sprung up to make them easier and more efficient.  A few years ago, nonprofits wishing to sell merchandise for their fundraising event required purchasing a large quantity of product up front and then reselling items to make a profit. Unsold items and missing sales envelopes meant headache and loss of revenue for your organization. Not to mention lugging around all of those boxes of chocolates, or guestimating the quantity and sizes of fundraising t-shirts to order.

Thanks to online fundraising tools, incorporating merchandise sales with your fundraising event is now much easier AND more personable!

Today organizations can create an online store which features custom fundraising merchandise designed specifically for your organization and/or fundraising events.  With easy-to-use online tools, your organization can choose between a variety of fundraising merchandise to make available for sale (such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, etc.)   Once merchandise is selected, it can then customized specifically for your cause.  Administrators upload merchandise options and design choices featuring imagery, logos, messaging, event taglines, etc.

This provides your organization with control over the branded aspects of the merchandise including color, logo placement and references to sponsors.  Yet, it allows participants to be creative in choosing a style and design they like.  In addition, each of your constituents or event participants can personalize their fundraising merchandise with their name, team name, the name of a loved one, a photo or a personalized message.

The new crop of online tools are extremely easy to use.  Participants choose the item or clothing silhouette they like.  They pick the design of their choice.  Then they add personalized information (such as name), and select their donation amount.  Constituents who choose to purchase merchandise generally also have the ability to increase the amount of money donated through their purchase.

Fundraising merchandise sales are a great fundraising option for participant-driven fundraising events such as walk-a-thons.  Why?  Fundraising merchandise provides various teams the ability to differentiate themselves by creating their own t-shirts, tagline, team color, etc.  This creates a fun environment at the event as each team can be identified by their unique designs.  Parents and other supporters can also get involved.  They can purchase merchandise for the team they support and customize with messages such as “Proud Parent”.  Fundraising merchandise can also be used to motivate participants by giving away prizes for most sales or donations received.

Fundraising merchandise options can include: t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, key chains and much more. Your organization can choose from a catalog of items that fit your constituency’s needs and budgets.

Kari Kiel, is a marketing consultant who currently leads marketing efforts for online fundraising software provider, DoJiggy LLC. Kari has more than twelve years experience developing and executing strategic event marketing plans. She has produced large-scale community fundraising events for nonprofits, and has consulted for various companies to help them extend their reach and improve results through integrating targeted online marketing campaigns.

Photo Credit: InsideTheMagic

Related posts:

1. 17 Ways to Raise $25,000 for Your Organization

You mission matters.

The work of your non-profit matters.

Yet, you can’t grow your non-profit, serve your clients, or carry out your mission without raising money.

Here’s the thing… fundraising doesn’t need to be a hassle, and it doesn’t need to consume your organization.  With the right strategy, you can get out of the “fundraising rat race” and have a constant stream of new prospects, new donors and new major gifts to your non-profit.

The Fundraising Authority Can Help…

Each year, I work with a select number of non-profits to help them:

- Dramatically grow their fundraising revenue

- Rapidly grow their organizations

- Streamline their fundraising tactics to maximize revenue

- Stop worrying about where the money will come from, because they have a steady stream of new donors in their fundraising funnel

If you’d like to learn more about working with The Fundraising Authority to increase your fundraising revenue check out this page:

Work With the Fundraising Authority

Related posts:

1. How to Motivate Your Board to Raise More Money
2. How to Use Crowd-Funding Sites to Raise Money for Your Non-Profit
3. Successful Fundraising at the Small Development Shop – with Pamela Grow