Blog

Give and Get

Posted: May 2, 2014

thumbMy blog readers receiving my new Dashboard (more about that below) may recall that I recently presented at the second-annual Speed Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations in Manhattan. My topic was “Fundraising through Special Events.”

First, I want to give kudos to the sponsors, The Foundation Center and Association of Nonprofit Specialists. The event was superbly planned and the turnout fantastic. I spent a lively four hours meeting with staff members from nonprofits in the metro New York area.

I was particularly struck by the reciprocal nature of the day. I listened and shared, and I listened and learned.

Out Front on Fundraising

I don’t mean to seem sentimental – it’s not my nature – but for those of us so engaged in solving organizational challenges, it’s refreshing to step back and be inspired by the breadth of good work in the nonprofit sector. I gained something from every organization I met. One I’d like to highlight, in part because I’m a runner who has completed four marathons, is Girls on the Run. The mission is to empower girls ages 8 to 13 to be confident and physically and emotionally healthy through activities that integrate running. The NYC chapter was planning a major fundraiser. I’ve beat the drum so often for fundraising about the cause, not the organization, and was delighted to find Girls on the Run NYC doing so much right. One example: offering donors the option to give $35 for a pair of running shoes for a member girl in need of footwear. It’s an affordable gift for most that very directly supports the purpose and benefits a young participant.

What could your organization do in a similar vein? If you’re not already, then borrow the idea and run with it. That’s what I mean by reciprocal. I offered my expertise and also added to my idea well. Now I’ve passed it on.

Revisiting Case for Support

Another aha moment from the day was a consistent something missing in fundraising plans: case for support. I won’t repeat the how-to – it’s here in my blog from 2013. I’ll only spotlight the value with this stat: When speaking about your organization, you have 20 seconds to make an impression. If you hem and haw through what you do, you’ve likely lost your audience before your call to action.

I took each professional I met with through components of a strong case for support. All of them, whether veterans or relative newcomers to their organization, could immediately bring to mind examples and phrases to include in a case for support. Truly, a case for support is not difficult to create. But it requires someone in an organization to take charge and get it done.

Give and get: we can all benefit from more collaboration within the nonprofit world. That’s also a theme I intend to revisit in the weeks ahead. In addition to my blog, sign up for my free monthly Dashboard. I’ll be sharing my experiences and insights – and welcome getting yours.

Looking to develop your case for support? Let’s talk.