I want to let you in on a little secret — I’ve never been a huge data person.
Sure, I love stories and testimonials and pictures. I like to laugh and cry with my donors. I love to have my heart stings tugged, which is what got me into this field in the first place. Can you relate?
However, sometimes data comes along that is so persuasive, so convincing, that even I can’t look the other way. It tells the whole story for you.
The Astonishing Results
As you may know, I’ve spent many years looking for ways to encourage development directors and executive directors just like you, to raise major gifts in bigger and better ways, with the end goal being to serve more people and fulfill your mission.
And, one of my recent projects toward that end was to partner with Dr. Adrian Sargeant, probably the most respected and well known researcher in our field, to find out if there were any data driven solutions to enable you to do your job even better and raise even more major gifts.
We conducted a formal research story and surveyed over 700 nonprofits.
The results were astonishing.
You can get the full report here, but let me tell you about one of the most remarkable outcomes of the research.
You ready for this? You might want to sit down. It’s just that good.
Fundraising Training Yields an Additional $37,000 Raised
The research showed that continuing education and training had a direct correlation with an additional $37,000 raised!
The researchers and statisticians couldn’t believe what they were seeing, so they ran test after test and found correlation after correlation that linked training directly to increased fundraising revenue.
What does this mean for you?
It means you now have proof for your superiors to support your attendance at conferences, training courses, and other types of continuing education.
Of course, the more intense the training experience, the greater the correlation to dollars raised. But even participation in webinars and half-day training sessions showed an undeniable correlation to improved fundraising results.
And, for every additional intensive training opportunity (including studying for the CFRE and attending multi-day conferences), the data shows you will raise an additional $37,000 — $37,000!
That makes spending a few thousand dollars (or more) on conferences, college level courses, and other continuing educational opportunities a no-brainer.
So show this video to your executive director and board members, before they cut the training budget again!
Training Makes Sense for So Many Reasons
Of course, the conversation among senior staff and board members inevitably turns to:
What if we provide professional development and then the staff member leaves?
I believe that argument makes no sense.
First, development directors are much more likely to stay if you invest in them and provide them opportunities for growth. Why should they stay if you don’t invest in them? And, consider the alternative — what if you don’t invest in them and they do stay? What a wasted opportunity!
And if they do leave, well, that’s the trend anyway. And by providing training, you’re hedging your bets against them leaving.
So RUN — don’t walk — to sign up for the next big conference in your area, or even a national conference in your field, or even a college or graduate level course. You and your nonprofit won’t regret it.
A $37K Training Opportunity Right Now
If you’re ready to invest in your professional development and raise significantly more money for your nonprofit, keep reading…
Mastering Major Gifts is a comprehensive 7-week online training course that unlocks your true major gift fundraising potential. After nearly two decades of working in the nonprofit sector, you’ll learn everything I’ve learned about the very BEST ways to raise major gifts.
Mastering Major Gifts is the first course of its kind…
- Developed by an ACFRE (Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive)
- Based on years of experience and academic research
- Providing 34.5 hours of CFRE credits
DISCLAIMER: This course isn’t right for everyone. But if you’re ready to take your fundraising (and your career) to a whole new level, it could be perfect for you. Learn more about this acclaimed course.
[…] training results in an additional $37,000 being raised in the following year. You can check out the research here. Therefore, investing a day to be trained by the very best experts in the field of fundraising and […]