Comments on: New Economic Data Suggest Continued Fundraising Challenges. What Can You Do?

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:12:41 +0000

Amy, thank you for sharing your insights. Some development professionals think the job only involves building external relationships. However, as you know well, a good portion of the job also involves internal selling. In my book, Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing, I devote an entire chapter to the subject of internal selling. In his book Breakthrough Thinking for Nonprofit Organizations, Bernard Ross shares a great number of tips for how to manage organizational change. Change may not always happen as quickly as we might like but, ultimately, we will be more successful, more often if we learn how to manage up.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:01:33 +0000

Rickesh, I’m glad you liked the book recommendation. A few weeks ago, I might have recommended the book Imagine by Jonah Lehrer. But, a couple of weeks ago, the news broke that he falsified some Bob Dylan quotes in the book. The book has since been recalled by the publisher. I’m keeping my copy as an example that, sometimes, you can be too creative. Striking the right balance is important.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:18:10 +0000

Michael, good list, particularly 1-3 and 8. I’ve been saying exactly the same things since I started with this organization in January, and finally they are starting to pay attention. Bureaucracy sometimes muddies the waters in institutional fundraising, and one must build a case internally to leverage support before changes can occur–even when the need to make changes is obvious.

By: Rickesh Lakhani

Rickesh Lakhani — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:24:45 +0000

Thanks for the recommendation! It’s going on my purchase list. Sometimes a whack on the head can work wonders.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 03:59:15 +0000

Rickesh, thank you for your comments. These challenging economic times will weed out some weak nonprofit organizations. However, those that are particularly savvy will not only survive, they will thrive and be well poised to reap the rewards of the economic recovery. You’re quite right about the importance of creativity. Not only do we need to be creative when communicating with prospects and donors, nonprofit professeionals need to be more creative with internal communications as well. A little creativity in nonprofit management will go a long way. Those interested should check-out the following book:

A Whack on the Side of the Head (http://astore.amazon.com/mlinn-20/detail/0446404667)

The book is in the “Favorites” section of The Nonprofit Bookstore (Amazon). Visitors will be able to explore other favorites as well as Reader Recommended books.

By: Rickesh Lakhani

Rickesh Lakhani — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:52:12 +0000

Michael,

Thanks for this great post. Amazing how in tough times, the fundamentals of fundraising continue to be just as important. These are things that if you have in place before tough times hit, you’re more likely to come through in a stronger place – sometimes it just takes challenging market conditions to make us do what we should have been doing all along. Better now than never!

I think creativity is extra important right now when everyone’s appeals are starting to look the same. When there are so many distractions for people given their own financial circumstances or perception of the economy, standing out and providing some creative, fun energy is critical.

Rickesh

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:10:31 +0000

Richard, thank you for your insights. Just this week in Memphis, I told my audience if you want more gifts, you need to ask more people, more often. Being creative in the process will also certainly help.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:09:15 +0000

Patrick, thank you for sharing your thoughts. So much of what we do in development really does come down to the relationships we build. This is particularly true during tough economic times. I found your last line interesting and true. Sadly, the high-turnover rates among development professionals often means that nonprofits will not have a “well seasoned gift officer” in place, at least not well experienced with the particular institution.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:05:17 +0000

Jerold, thank you for commenting. Giving USA breaks out individual and corporate giving. So, we'll be able to look at individual philanthropy numbers without mixing in corporate/pharmaceutical/patent figures. However, contributions to create DAFs will continue to be included in the individual giving numbers. By the way, individual giving most closely correlates with personal income; individual giving is typically two percent of personal income. So, be sure to keep an eye on that indicator as well.

By: Richard Freedlund

Richard Freedlund — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:07:28 +0000

Michael,

I agree with you that organizations need to do more to continue their efforts to maintain and strengthen their relationships with donors. They also need to continue to bring in new blood so they can build more relationships.

Whether in good times or bad, if organizations want to grow, they need to continually reach out to more people and businesses. However, the methods NPOs use to do this must be wise and cost effective. Relying on expensive events like gala dinners or walk/run/ride events can heavily tax an organization’s finances and time, it employees, and its volunteers. Smaller more cost effective methods using fewer participants can bring in funding, new donors, and help get their message out to the public. (Shameless plug for my business, I know)