Reader Panel Poll
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten in regard to fundraising?
“Treat all donors with the same level of respect whether they give you a nickel or a million dollars because it’s the right thing to do and because you never know. That small donor may leave you $1 million. [And] the donor is always right. They have the money, and you’re trying to convince them to give you some. When you are giving away money, you’ll make the rules.”
— Joan Woods
director of development,
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
“Do your research. Know your donors’ needs. Know your needs. Dress well, smile, and be polite and professional.”
— Nicolas Gaudreau
director of development,
Church Street School for Music and Art
“Remember that a ‘no’ is one step closer to a ‘yes.’ Keep the door open with qualifying statements asking, ‘If we were having this conversation three years from now, what would have had to happen in your life and the life of the institution to make you happy with a decision to move forward with this project today?’ Then sit back and listen. Use the 80/20 rule.”
— Margaret May Damen
president and founder,
Institute for Women and Wealth
“Don’t assume that the person reading the proposal knows anything about your organization.”
— Stephanie DeChambeau
director of institutional giving,
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
“My fundraising is about my donors’ dreams, their aspirations, their power to change the world. Not mine.”
— William Tolentino
senior manager of development,
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
“Don’t treat donors like an ATM machine. They are real people. Build relationships, and identify their passions. Treat a potential donor like they are your grandmother, and you’ll never go wrong (when discussing gifts as part of one’s estate plan). Paul LeBlanc, who was director of planned giving at the Archdiocese of Seattle at the time, shared this with me over 15 years ago. It has served me well.”
— Richard Bray
director of donor and community relations,
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Seattle/King County
“Focus on building relationships with your donors, understand what they’re trying to accomplish in their lives and why they think your mission is important, and everything else will take care of itself.”
— Tom Lazar
director of development,
Light of Life Rescue Mission
“Be clear about what you do — don’t be afraid to ask for support. As a donor/alum, I understand that you have a job to do within the institution, and when you don’t ask for support — be it through a visit or phone call — that sends a clear message to me about our interaction and your expectations of me.”
— Scott VanDeusen
executive director of advancement programs,
St. John’s University
Would you like to be part of our FS Reader Panel and help us stay connected to what nonprofit fundraisers really need from us? If you work in development at a nonprofit organization and would like to take part in reader surveys and editorial planning for FS, e-mail Associate Senior Editor Melissa Busch at mbusch@napco.com for details.
