Fundraising Development
The best time to invest in your fundraising development efforts is when you don’t absolutely need to! Your upfront investment will clearly shelter you from any future storms. This could be investment in nonprofit training, coaching, strategizing or reorganizing your “sales” team. (Yes, fundraising is “sales.”)
My first job out of college was selling ads for a local weekly newspaper. My boss told me to tell my prospects, “When business is good, you should advertise. When business is bad you MUST advertise.” I would weave it into every encounter.
I guess that’s why I now enjoy teaching my clients some advanced sales 401 techniques.
Many of you have probably waited until the storm hits to devise a fundraising development plan. There is no better way to increase your revenue than to take a proven plan on the “road” and create momentum. The “road” is where your donors are. They aren’t hanging around your office, so neither should you.
Are you maximizing your potential? Do you and your staff know enough about sales to be effective on your front line? Do you know where the hidden donors are? Do you know what to say once you get there? Do you know how to get there?
Could this be what is holding you back? Is now the time to invest in fundraising development, and in your mission?
Written by:
John J. Corcoran
President & CEO
