One of my many Covid-era projects included cleaning out my office. In the process, I’ve come across lots of notebooks and post-its — little nuggets of inspiration and wisdom — from the past decade.
In an effort to help you start off the New Year on a high note, I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you. So grab a sharpie and jot a few of these down, post them in a prominent place, and be inspired throughout 2022!
8 Bits of Year-End Inspiration for Major Gift Fundraisers
Here are eight fundraising gems I came across — often picked up at seminars, conferences, and workshops. All of these bite-sized pieces of advice can aid your major gift fundraising efforts.
1. Play the odds.
In baseball, 1 in 3 hits puts you in the hall of fame. Don’t be afraid to ask. You’ll need to get through the “no’s” to get to the “yes’s.” In other words, you need to get some “no’s” to be a superstar!
2. Take the shot.
You probably know the expression by hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” So, take a chance and go for it!
3. Assume the best.
As fundraisers, we often assume a donor won’t meet with us or give us a gift. Instead, assume they WILL, and bring that energy to your outreach and conversations.
4. No doesn’t mean never.
No doesn’t mean never, it simply means not today. Ask donors what they would like to do, what they can commit to now, and how you might continue the conversation.
5. One leg at a time.
Your donors put their pants on one leg at a time, just like you do. No matter how wealthy they are, they’re just human beings — like you.
6. Provide “yes” choices.
Provide an abundance of yesses when you ask questions of your donors. For example, ask:
- Would you like to meet on Tuesday or Thursday?
- Would you like to support the after-school program or the pre-school program?
7. You are incredible!
Remind yourself what an amazing person you are. Tell yourself you’re doing a terrific job, and mean it! Look in the mirror and say, “you are incredible!”
8. Find your courage.
I just wrote a post for the Capital Campaign Toolkit blog about being courageous in the New Year when facing your capital campaign. But even if you’re not in a campaign, the advice provided here can be applied to all facets of fundraising.
Mentors Are Great for Fundraising Inspiration
Over the years, I’ve had many mentors in fundraising. Some I’ve worked for directly, some I’ve volunteered with, and others I’ve admired from a distance.
If you don’t have a mentor, AFP has a formal program. Or, simply reach out to someone you admire and ask them to share some wisdom with you. Alternatively, if you’ve been in fundraising for a while, you might consider volunteering to mentor someone else.
And if you’re interested in having me as your regular mentor, look no further than Mastering Major Gifts, my ongoing support program. Join now and get your first month free!
What nuggets of wisdom inspire you? Share your own favorites in the comments.
“Enable a daily routine that gives you time to think [the essential].”
Greg Mc Keown, Essentialism