Page 5 - TFRW PNL Apr 2018

Inspire. Unite. Achieve.

3. Don’t say anything after you have made “the ask.” vicinity and move outward from there. An established
audience is an essential part of demonstrating the need
It can be uncomfortable asking for a contribution, and
for your organization and its services. You may have to
any donor is going to want a moment to ponder his or
do some programming in order to build the audience
her response. It is one of those silences that feels like
that funders will support.
an eternity. Just sit tight and keep your mouth shut. Let
them respond. Listen to what they say and continue 7. Don’t become too dependent on any one source
based on that response. or type of funding.

4. Don’t wait until the last minute. A healthy budget is a diversified budget. You want to
see as many of these income streams as possible. The
Start early, really, really early. Many funding processes
more income sources supporting your organization, the
take anywhere from three to twelve months to
less dependent you become on any one of them. Within
complete. You need time in advance to develop and
each income source, strive for diversification like big
describe your program well. If you do a slip-shod job
galas, cookbooks, small events, scholarship teas, issue
of that, you probably won’t get any funding. So start
specific campaigns, etc..
the process early, and write compelling and exciting
descriptions of the proposed program, who it will serve, 8. Don’t let your board shirk their fundraising
and why you are the best organization to do this job. responsibilities.
You sometimes need time to make personal contacts
Get your board and the most connected members to
before collecting money. Create a calendar of your
help. This requires work, and typically you will only have
future events with deadlines and timeframes for your
one or two members who will really go out and raise
most likely donors.
funds for you. These people should be your biggest
5. Don’t think “I’ve got my check; the process is supporters, best advocates, and have the connections
done.” to introduce you to funders.
Change your thinking about the process. Most 9. Don’t forget to thank your funders. Again. Again.
organizations believe the process of fundraising is over Again.
the minute they get their check. That is the beginning of
You may think you acknowledge your funders, but
the process! You now have the opportunity to build a
chances are they think you could and should do it
real partnership and lasting relationship with this donor
better. It is one of the easier things to do. Say thank
if you do your stewardship well. The power to leverage
you several different times and several different ways.
is yours if you use it creatively. Focus more time and
Handwritten notes make a big impression. Some
energy on this aspect of the process, and you will
funders want a public acknowledgement, others want
reap the rewards. Send them handwritten letters from
a more private and personal thanks, but they all want
scholarship winners, photographs demonstrating the
to feel appreciated. Spending more time on this, and
successes to date, etc. Don’t wait until the end to send
finding personalized and creative ways to show your
in your updates. You will create a partnership if you do
appreciation is likely to pay off well in the future. Put a
this right.
special thank-you with their names on your website or
6. Don’t try to fundraise from the outside in. Facebook page and in your newsletters.
When building your base of support, your audience 10. Don’t leave donors sitting until your next event;
for your programs and funding start with the people involve them in your organization.
closest to you. Once you have them involved, move
Once someone has given you a contribution, you have
out to the next circle and so on. Your first line of attack
an open-door invitation to involve them more in your
should be your board of directors. You should secure
organization. Significant donors tend to know other
a significant gift from each member (it may vary from
potential significant donors. If they feel they are a part
member to member). Once you have 100% of your
of your organization, they are more likely to introduce
board giving, you can expand to your patrons. These are
you to their friends and colleagues. People give to
the people who attend your events and support what
people they know and because of people they know.
you are doing. These are the people you should target
for your membership program. The same rule holds
More Fundraising tips in Bullet Point Memos.
true with public funding; start with your city or county,
expand to state opportunities, and then federal. Political To request a fundraising class at your club contact me,
organization funding should start with donors in your Becky Berger, at [email protected]
PRESIDENT’S E-NEWSLETTER | APRIL 2018 5 TEXAS FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN