To say that this year has been one of uncertainty, confusion and concern is an understatement. From federal actions on funding, to massive layoffs and from the elimination of DEIJ to the rollback of environmental protections not to mention the stock market gyrations and tariffs, the challenges just keep mounting.
All of these challenges are having an impact on fundraising. And the impacts are huge and could be long-lasting. As the competition keeps mounting for donors and contributions, it’s time to get personal! It is time that every interaction with donors builds a stronger relationship and an organizational culture of philanthropy. The team at Philanthropy Squared wants to support your organization during these challenging times, and below are some of our suggestions:
- Raise more money by selling impact: focus on highlighting the positive outcome of your work, the tangible results of your projects and programs, and how individual contributions can contribute to meaningful change.
- Personalize your messaging: take the time and make the effort to tailor your messaging that reflects the heart and impact of your mission and accomplishments. The intent is to inspire donors to give and create a personal connection to the mission.
- Educate your donors: about philanthropy that can lead to increased giving and strong donor relationships. You do this by – showcasing success stories, using clear and concise data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your programs and initiatives, and create engaging visuals.
- Be donor centric: listen to your donors’ stories, understand their passions and be patient with their readiness to give.
- Build trust involves establishing a strong connection to your donors and demonstrating honesty and transparency. It also means keeping promises and being authentic in your communications. Be open about how you spend money, avoid exaggerating about your successes, and be truthful about your challenges.
- Create a Culture of Philanthropy: at the heart of successful fundraising is creating a culture of philanthropy – a shared sense of responsibility for fundraising across the organization; an integration and alignment on mission; a focus on fundraising as engagement; and embedding organizational values of giving and generosity.
We are here to help! The Philanthropy Squared team has worked with scores of NGOs of all sizes — and from local and regional ones to national and international ones. And we have years of front-line experience. Get personal – contact us for support to meet your fundraising challenges.
