7 Tips to Help Fundraisers Manage Their Time
You have to be online! You have to send more mail! Treat every donor like a major donor! Your Board wants another golf classic!
Aggggghhhhhh!!!
OK…relax…breathe…
We can do this. Let’s consider how you’re breaking up your working week and let’s try to be smart about it…
1. Don’t Believe The Hype
You don’t need to be an early adopter or jump on the next big thing straight away. Online donations still only account for 7% of the average non-profit’s income. So why spend half of your week on social media when it simply isn’t going to deliver?
2. Prioritize Based On Your Own Strengths
Think carefully about the unique opportunities your organization has and focus on them.
3. Get Help!
In my career I’ve found other fundraisers always more than happy to share…why make the same mistakes someone else has already made? Find local fundraiser meet-ups, reach out to others, join online communities.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Say No
Do your Board wants you to organize another golf classic simply “because people love it”? Well if it barely broke even then it’s time to cut it out of your fundraising plan.
5. Remember That All Fundraising Overlaps
Corporate partnerships will come from your individual supporters, and vice versa. Don’t let each of your fundraising channels get siloed.
6. Use Free Tools, Structure and Repetition
Not everything has to be a time-suck. Social media can be run effectively in less than 1 hour a week. A strong appeal last year can be used this year word-for-word and it’ll still work.
7. Get The Basics Right and The Money Will Follow
Get your thank you process working. Write with emotion…write like a human. Focus on your organization’s circle of people who already care about you rather than wasting time trying to get the world’s attention.
And stop being so hard on yourself. Some days it’s okay if you only help one person, and some days it’s okay if that one person is you.
