Greetings! Today, I have another terrific guest article to share with you. This time, author of 50 Asks in 50 Weeks and certified fundraising consultant Amy Eisenstein, (pictured at left) has been kind enough to share one of her recent blog posts with us.
If you’ve never visited Amy’s site, TriPointFundraising, I highly suggest that you take a few minutes, when you’re done reading this piece, to click on over. She has a wealth of useful information for people actively engaged in raising money for non-profits.
I want to thank Amy for her generosity in sharing this very valuable information about fundraising with us. I hope you enjoy this post and get to know Amy better! ~ Jim Berigan
4 Rock-Solid Ways to Raise More Year-End Money
As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about year-end giving and how to help my clients and readers (you) raise even more money this year.
I went back and reviewed my posts from last year on the subject (listed at the bottom of this post — some great reading, by the way) and thought of a few additions.
4 Ways to Raise More Year-End Money
1. Make a list of your top 10 to 50 donors.
Determine whether or not they have given yet this year and at what level.
2. Call them.
If they have not given yet this year, ask for a meeting. In a real time crunch, skip the meeting and talk to them by phone. Thank them for their prior support and tell them how their money was used. Remind them they haven’t given yet this year and ask for a gift in excess of what they gave last year. Have materials to justify your ask, such as you’re serving more clients or you want to start a new program, etc.
If they have already given this year, at prior years’ levels or higher, call and thank them. Let them know how their donation was used. If appropriate (which it sometimes is), ask for more.
3. Ask your board members for more.
Assuming they haven’t already given at capacity this year, ask your board members to make additional, personal gifts. Make sure you have 100% participation and that all board members have given.
4. Try something new.
- Haven’t solicited donations online yet this year? Don’t wait, start today.
- Invite your volunteers to ask their friends and family for donations in their name instead of holiday gifts this year.
- Write personal notes on 100 of your best prospect’s appeal letters (which should be going out shortly, by the way).
Year-End Fundraising Review
See my posts from last year on the subject of year-end giving. There are some great hints and tips here.
Have more ideas about year-end giving? Share them with me and other readers in the comments.
I’m kicking off this week with a Resource Roundup with simple success strategies for your year-end fundraising campaign. Many nonprofits see a great increase in donations toward the end of the year. Don’t miss out on year end donations from your supporters just because you didn’t ASK!
