Non Profit Fundraising 101

Have you recently joined a nonprofit board or beenteleseminars, webinars, conferences and live trainings
asked to participate in a nonprofit organization'sspecifically for your organization.
fundraising efforts? Have you been wracking your3. Ask for What You Need.
brain for new fundraising ideas? Or more likely, howYour nonprofit organization may or may not
to get out of fundraising at all because you're surerecognize what you need to be successful at
you don't know what you're doing?fundraising. All you need to do is ask for it. Whether
You are not alone.it's pictures to display at an event you want to hold,
Recently, I worked with a group of about 20 - moststatistics on the organization's program success or
of them had no prior fundraising experience. Guesseven training, just ask for it.
what? They raised over $40,000 in 30 days - in a4. Do Something, Even If It's Wrong.
recession.As my grandmother says, "do something, even if it's
Here's the great news: You can successfully raisewrong." Here's the point: you must take some kind of
funds for your organization, even if you've neveraction. You may not know if it will actually result in
done it before. Listed below are five tips for novicefunding for the organization. However, if you do
fundraisers to get you started.nothing, that's exactly the amount of funding you'll
1. Relax.get for the organization - nothing.
Seriously, take a deep breath. Fundraising is not brainOf course, the goal is to do something right and
surgery or rocket science. There are tips,actually raise funds. And, you'll only get great results
suggestions and strategies that are proven - paywhen you take action.
attention to those. And, you get to choose the5. Know That You Are Appreciated.
manner and method of your personal fundraising.Chances are that if you've approached your
There is no one-size-fits-all in fundraising.organization willing to raise funds you were greeted
2. Get Training.with smiles and sincere words of gratitude. Mark that
You can get the tools you need to be successful inmoment in your mind (or imagine it if it didn't happen).
nonprofit fundraising. And, there are many differentWhen fundraising seems challenging, return to that
ways at many different price points. The training canmoment and KNOW that every bit of energy that
come in the form of books, online research,you put forth is making a difference.