The dos and don’ts of building a fundraising strategy – part 1
A fundraising strategy serves as a map for charities and nonprofits that will show them the paths that will allow them to grow their audiences, increase their funding, and ultimately fulfill their missions. It shows the specific actions organisations need to take to properly perform activities like outreach and donor stewardship.
You may create a fundraising strategy for current programmes or new capital project . You may also craft an ongoing fundraising strategy for your organisation for the next year. Your organisation needs a strategy with an effective roadmap to stay on task, complete goals efficiently, and continue progress.
If you’re leading a new or growing organisation, you’re probably looking for ways to improve your fundraising strategy so that you can provide more support for the mission as it grows. In this first part of this two-part fundraising strategy guide, Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants share the “dos” that you need to follow to achieve the results you want:
Do
Take a Strategic Approach Towards Prospect Research
A strategic approach to prospect research enables you to put more focus on your most viable prospects. By thoroughly researching potential donors and identifying the target audience for your fundraising program, you can more effectively build your contacts and cultivate the donors who are truly interested in the work you do.
Build Relationships That Are Based on Trust
Building relationships with donors begins with being honest and being authentic. Your donors can tell when your heart is truly in what you do. They will be drawn to the organisation that they know cares deeply about the community and that is working hard to make a difference.
Plan Your Campaigns Properly in Advance
Having all your ducks in a row can give you a sense of coherence and coordination that will make your fundraising efforts more enjoyable and successful. When you have a fundraising plan in place, you can focus your efforts on communicating with people who can help you grow your campaign and bring in the income you need.
Take Advantage of Different Approaches to Increase Your Fundraising Effectiveness
There are many different approaches to raising funds – face-to-face approaches, online or a combination of both. Consider what will work best for you. It’s important to tailor your approach to your audience as well as your specific organisation, resources etc.
Track Your Progress Regularly
Reviewing your campaigns and being able to measure your progress is key to knowing how well your fundraising program is doing. Without frequent measurement, it’s impossible to know if you’re making any progress, and it’s impossible to do any course corrections if you’re not receiving the results you’re looking for.
Set and Communicate Goals Often
Being specific about what you want to accomplish will help your organisation stay on track and achieve your fundraising goals. By setting goals and keeping your team focused on your mission, you’ll be able to ensure that the funds you raise are helping to build the future that you envision.
Conclusion
As the nonprofit world continues to grow and our communities continue to change, how do we align fundraising strategies to ensure that we are relevant to our donors? We must keep pace with the marketplace, and as our world evolves, so must we. You need to continue to stay tuned into trends and technology as well as research what is trending to make sure that you can change and adapt to a constantly changing world. This fundraising strategy guide provides some things to consider. Working with a fundraising consultant can help you determine the best strategies for your organisation.
Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants can provide you with the help of an experienced fundraising consultant in the UK to help your organisation achieve your goals. Contact us today to know more about how we can be of assistance to you!
