5 Ways to Get More Involved in Fundraising

This list focuses on easy, doable tasks which make it simple for you (or your boss) to get more involved in fundraising for your nonprofit.

1. Meet with Donors

Schedule at least two meetings per month with current and prospective donors. Meeting topics can include: thanking donors for prior gifts; asking open ended questions to get to know the person to discover the root of his or her interest in your organization; providing information about your organization and programs; and asking for gifts (donations).

2. Make Phone Calls

Provide your boss with a weekly list of five calls to make to donors or prospective donors. The purpose of the calls can be to thank donors, to ask for a meeting, to provide a program update or a combination of the three.

3. Give Tours

Bringing people in to see your organization is critical to your success. If you have a program or facility which lends itself to tours, schedule them regularly. Be sure to include meetings with clients or service providers along the way.

4. Sign Letters

Board members and executive directors can be actively involved in the fundraising process by signing (and adding personal notes to) appeal letters as well as thank you letters. Adding a personal note to a letter exponentially increases the chances of the recipient actually taking the time to read it.

5. Say ‘Thank You’

Retaining current donors is much less costly than acquiring new donors. A simple thank you significantly increases your chances of renewal and recurring gifts. Have a plan in place to thank donors multiple times. People can be thanked in person, over the phone, in a letter, by email, in public at an event, or in your newsletter. Have board members, the executive director, the development director and other appropriate staff members and clients involved in saying thank you.

Fundraising is first and foremost about building relationships. How can you have or build a relationship if you’re not in contact with a person on a regular basis?

What other ways can you think of to get more involved in fundraising? Share your thoughts in the comments.