Take a more disciplined approach to fundraising

Take a More Disciplined Approach to Fundraising

By Tom Wilson Major Gifts Guru

It has been fun the last few years to worry less about balancing budgets and meeting project goals. Fundraising has been relatively easy and if donors wanted to "free lance" their giving to unique projects, why not?

But, times have dramatically changed. Major gift officers need a more disciplined approach. One would think this new way of thinking would be directed from the top of the organization, the CEO and the CFO. Or, donors would be asking tough questions.

This will happen and is happening in some nonprofit organizations. But, surprisingly, not enough.

Major gift officers need to ask tough questions internally righ now. Why do we want this new piece of equipment when enrollments are declining and salaries being cut? Shouldn't we be raising more annual fund dollars? More scholarships? More special project funds that are budget relieving? Or, what funds could we raise that are strategic in helping boost revenues in the future?

If your organization hasn't looked at their strategic plan in the last 3 to 6 months, ask them to do so right now. Use Peter Drucker's 5 Most Important Questions to "rebalance" your organizations operations and plans for the future.

Never forget, the only people who really care about strategic planning and future visioning are the fundraisers, the major gift officers who "sell" the future to their donors. It's time for nonprofits to get back to their core functions to realize their mission and impact on society.

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