Should We Celebrate?

This month, I’m celebrating two years since launching my company, Sapphire Fundraising Specialists.

Let’s celebrate me!

Just kidding. Let’s not.

Well, I can, personally. But should you?

Nope.

Why not?

Because it actually does not matter to YOU how long I’ve been in business. YOU probably just care that I know what I’m talking about so that YOU can gain helpful fundraising ideas, strategy, and confidence-building techniques so YOU can do YOUR job effectively to raise more money for YOUR nonprofit organization.

It's about YOU.

Now, let me ask you – do you have a fiscal year ending coming up, like let’s say June 30th? Or September 30th?

Do you make a big push in advance of these dates to encourage your donors to give before your fiscal year closes?

Do donors give?

Maybe.

Do they care about this date?

Not really.

(Check out my recent Linkedin Live where I talk more about this)

Or what about an anniversary for your nonprofit – 10 years, 25 years, 75 years, 100 years in operation?

Do you make a big deal of these milestones? Launch a capital or anniversary campaign?

Do donors support you in these efforts?

Sometimes.

But does it get them really excited?

Probably not.

These dates and milestones are important INTERNALLY but really do not mean much EXTERNALLY.

And when it comes to fundraising, donors need to understand why THEY should care and why they should donate.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – when talking to your donors, you have to make it clear: what is the money for? (Check out my post on capital campaigns where I talk more about this here)

Let me give an example about talking about what the money is for.

I was working with a nonprofit organization that was soon to celebrate its 100th anniversary. And they were looking for help as they were launching a capital campaign.  

They were all excited – and they should be! Being an established nonprofit in existence for 100 years is a BIG DEAL.

So I asked –You want to raise an extra $25 million - $50 million? Cool. What’s it for?

And the looks I got on everyone’s faces! Um, well, we’re celebrating our anniversary. And people will want to be a part of that.

Why, I asked.

Because, um, well, we need the money so we can do what we do. But better. Bigger. Reach more people.

Right, right, what does that mean?

See what I’m getting at?? Do what we do better? This is the least compelling thing you can say to a donor. How does that convey a clear need? How does that solve a problem they care about? How does that make the world better?

That is all about the operations of the organization. While the operations are ESSENTIAL to the success of an organization, and it is important that they get invested in, this is something INTERNAL.

For some donors, you might be able to make the case directly. But it has got to be about what that internal investment “to be better” means  - really means.

Hire more staff? Great! – and what will that allow you to accomplish?

Invest in a new CRM Database? Cheers to you! – and how does that help your mission?

Update the HVAC? Incredible! – and what could the possibilities for your nonprofit be because of it?

So be super clear about the need and the bigger picture.

Not just that we have to be better.

Not just to raise money because of a milestone.

Show how you have made an impact since your founding.

But more importantly, what is your vision for the next 10, 25, 75 or 100 years?

What are the resources you need now to get you there?

How can you tell the story that if you don’t grow, don’t build, don’t prepare then you won’t be able to do the great work you do. Won’t be able to support those you support. Won’t be able to change the world.

I’d love to find some time to help you with answering these questions. Contact me to learn more and we can discuss how we can work together.