When was the last time a nonprofit or well-meaning charity responded to your casual gift with a “Thanks, but this may not be for you,” as they gracefully declined your offering.
Huh? You’re probably thinking, “Did I hear you right?”
Yes. Far too many nonprofits are in the business of pleasing anyone and everyone when they ask others to support their cause. Not that these efforts don’t raise money. They do.
The dark side of this bargain, however, is that such approaches raise much, much less, over time, than a fundraising program focused on identifying those that seriously support your cause because they seriously believe in it.
Look at any nonprofit organization that has a fundraising program, which not only raises money, but raises more—much more—of it every year. You’ll see Principle 5 of The Eight Principles™ in action.
Simply stated, Principle 5, Work from the inside Out™, is to build your fundraising network beginning with those who are to closest your organization through relationship and reason to give.
Sure, they may welcome gifts from everyone but make no mistake about it, they are keenly aware of those who have the best reasons to support them and reserve their very best efforts to build relationships with these stalwarts.
To your fundraising success!
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Larry believes in the power of relationships and the power of philanthropy to create a better place and transform lives.
Larry is the founder of The Eight Principles. His mission is to give nonprofits and philanthropists alike the opportunity to achieve their shared visions. With more than 25 years of experience in charitable fundraising and philanthropy, Larry knows that financial sustainability and scalability is possible for any nonprofit organization or charitable cause and is dependent on neither size nor resources but instead with the commitment to create a shared vision.
Larry is the author of the award-wining book, "The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising." He is the Association of Fundraising Professionals' 2010 Outstanding Development Executive and has ranked in the Top 15 Fundraising Consultants in the United States by the Wall Street Business Network.
Larry is the creator of the revolutionary online fundraising training platform, The Oracle League.
Reach Larry on social media at:
Twitter: Larry_C_Johnson
LinkedIn: larryjohnsonmegrace
Facebook: TheEightPrinciples