5 Goals For Your 2023 Fundraising Year
With the new fiscal year just around the corner, many organizations are starting to think about how they can raise more money. Here are five fundraising commitments you can make now and bring into 2023:
Take advantage of the latest technology to create tailor-made personalized stewardship. People want to feel recognized and appreciated, and today’s technology makes it easy to tailor your message to each individual donor based on their giving history and preferences. Segmented email campaigns, AI-informed donation forms, personalized videos, and targeted social media campaigns are just some of the tools you can use to communicate with your donors on a personal level.
Make it easy for people to donate. The easier you make it for donors to give, the more likely they are to do so. Set up automated giving options, offer multiple payment methods, and design a donation page that’s simple and straightforward. Using QR codes, Google Pay, PayPal, Facebook Fundraising, texting, FundraiseUp and more can facilitate people's giving. Don't make them get out of bed in the morning to get their CC. Utilize mobile-friendly payment options that allow donors to give anytime, anywhere.
Focus on the relationship, not the ask. Now, don’t mistake this as “don’t ask”, more like don’t treat donors like end-of-year ATMs. Relationship-building throughout the year is key to raising money from supporters. Fundraisers are matchmakers between people and important missions. It's important to understand that potential donors want to be part of the solution and not just passive recipients of your solicitation. By sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly with donors, fundraisers can demonstrate their commitment to being transparent about the organization's goals and progress.
Adopt community-centric fundraising. More and more businesses are adopting a values-aligned approach, with the goal of being seen as contributing partners in the community rather than as one-dimensional businesses solely focused on their bottom lines. Staff feeling values-aligned can result in higher employee satisfaction/retention and improved relationships with the general public. Isn’t it time nonprofits also committed to adopting a values-aligned approach in their fundraising, storytelling, governance, and public policy work? It can lead to stronger relationships with donors and provide a better understanding of a nonprofit's mission, and improved impact.
Get political. Nonprofits should take an active role in advocating for public policy initiatives that are in line with their mission, values, and the needs of their constituents. These initiatives can take many forms, from writing letters to representatives to partnering with other organizations on voter education and mobilization efforts. Fundraisers have a key role in supporting these efforts by raising funds for policy-related campaigns, directly engaging with elected officials on behalf of the organization, and using their contacts to mobilize allies and gain support. They can also help to build awareness of the nonprofit's policy agenda by sharing their story with the media and amplifying their message online. This type of political engagement is critical for nonprofits to ensure that their work is supported at all levels of government and that the people they serve are heard in the halls of power.
With only a few more weeks until the end of the year, I wish you the best at this hectic time. Fundraisers are often undervalued, so I want to say, "I see you", you're awesome, and you've got this!
