My #1 Fundraising Tip

To be fair there are a LOT of tips I could give you.

This one is good.

Like, strawberry hibiscus sorbet good. (Have you had that from Talenti because damn!)

It's a habit that I want you to build and will change EVERYTHING for you, the number of donors you have, engaged supporters who are ACTUALLY showing up for you and your mission, and you'll get the help that you really, truly need from people you engage with.

So, you ready?

Look, I'm not going to tell you this if you don't agree to use it, alright?

Do you agree to actually USE this tip?

Alright, alright. I believe you. Here we go.

When you are talking with anyone who seems truly interested in your work, an acquaintance, someone you meet at a virtual event who says "Great work!" about your organization, a family member who is full of questions about what you do exactly, and they say something like:

"Wow, I'd love to be more involved"

Or you tell them about the work you do, the impact, and where you are headed and they say:

"How can I help?"

or

"What do you need?"

Here is what you are going to say:

"Well, what we really need is financial support"

That's it. That's the habit.

The world is opening back up. In person, group things are happening. You are going to keep meeting people in-person and online.

They are going to care when they learn about what you do.

They are going to ask how they can be involved.

You are going to be HONEST.

You are going to tell them the help that you actually need which is UNRESTRICTED FUNDS.

Right?

Some of you settle for:

"Oh, you just being here at this event is amazing" or "You just sharing with your friends on instagram" or "Oh, the water bottles that you got donated are help enough!"

When you are lying through your teeth! 😬

Listen, I don't have anything against people attending a virtual event, or sharing on IG or donating water bottles.

I have a problem with you acting like that's what you really need and accepting less than what's necessary for your mission.

Tell them the truth. Tell them you need financial support. And then I guarantee that because they are literally more bought in, they will also share on IG and get water bottles donated and all that other stuff that will follow.

And when they say "Oh, I was thinking of volunteering!" You could say, "Oh sure, that would be great" and then spend 40 hours coming up with a volunteer job for them, managing them, training them, etc. which you need like a fish needs a bicycle.

Or you could try the straight up approach "Actually we don't need more volunteers right now, if you'd like to be more involved you can join us in giving monthly"

And guess what will happen.

You will be surprised that people aren't bullsh*tting you when they say they wanna help.

You will raise more money without asking.

And you will get so much wind in your sails just by being honest and taking people for their word when they say they wanna help.

Don't believe me?

Try it.

I dare you.

See how it goes.

PS. Have a big goal and need to double, maybe even triple, your individual giving? Like now? Let's hop on a quick, no-pressure chat to see if it's right for you.