From Blood to Boils: 10 Passover-Inspired Lessons for Smarter Nonprofit Fundraising
One thing many Jews can relate to is that the Jewish holidays are usually either early or late.
And with Passover quickly approaching (and maybe this year, it’s actually on time!), so many Jewish nonprofit organizations and synagogues are considering fundraising appeals before the first seder.
So with that in mind, let’s consider what might be “Plaguing” your fundraising strategy right now so that you can be more effective and smarter, and not dismiss some critical signals before it is too late.
1. BLOOD
At the seder each year, we read about how the first plague afflicting the Egyptians was water turning into blood. What is a more critical lifeline for your people than water?
Well, in fundraising, that is clean, uncontaminated data. Do you have business processes to ensure gifts are entered consistently, outdated addresses are removed, and deceased donor records are dealt with?
What might start as small errors, can lead to large, long-term issues.
2. FROGS
So cute, so green, so jumpy. But a never-ending supply of frogs that are everywhere? Less charming.
What else can duplicate and appear everywhere? Duplicate records in your CRM database. At first, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal. But five years may pass, and all of a sudden you have a Jane Smith, Jane A. Smith, J. Smith, Jane Smith-Jones, and so on.
It can be overwhelming. Manage it now to also ensure your reporting quality is at peak performance.
3. LICE
Small, tiny, itchy bugs that infected both the Egyptians and their animals. They were a literal pest.
When it comes to fundraising, those small, tiny details can really turn into a nuisance.
Whether it is the donor that ALWAYS WANTS THEIR NAME SPELLED IN ALL CAPS (yes, I know someone who wanted this) or the donor who absolutely under no circumstances were you allowed to call on the phone (again, another real person), those types of details matter.
Ensure they are in your database.
4. WILD BEASTS
Just as the wild beasts invaded Egypt and were hard to wrangle, a nonprofit board of directors can go in every direction. They have power, they have strength, they have expertise, but their energy needs to be managed and directed into strategic action.
Nonprofit staff need to consider how to use their board to their advantage, and not run wild with ideas that will not be achievable.
5. PESTILENCE
Halfway through the plagues, the livestock across Egypt were infected with diseases and died.
What else can die? Donor relationships, unless they are properly stewarded. Donors need attention, just like any livestock.
They need updates on how their work helped your mission. They need to know the stories of success. They need to know what your plans are for your future. That relationship needs cultivation. Do not assume that because they care about your mission and gave once, means they will stay connected.
6. BOILS
Imagine being inflicted with painful, awful boils? Yuck.
Sometimes, at nonprofits, we are inflicted with painful situations.
Telling the donor that they can’t restrict their gift for a specific purpose.
Sharing an update to a foundation that the grant will not cover as much as originally stated because expenses went up.
Updating your board member that the speaker they really wanted for your annual event was beyond your budget.
It can be hard, but being honest and transparent during difficult situations is essential to building trust with your donors. You won’t always be able to accommodate every request, but you can tell them the truth about why it’s not possible.
7. HAIL
The hail was everywhere. It destroyed the land. It touched everything.
Ever experienced an email campaign that was not segmented? Just emails every day? Maybe even multiple times a day? Some that weren’t relevant to you?
Remember, your donors and email subscribers are just people. And they don’t want to be inundated with emails again and again. Even when they really care. Consider the frequency of emails and opportunities to segment and personalize your message.
8. LOCUSTS
The locusts were everywhere. Creating huge destruction on the land. They consumed it all.
Sometimes we think that fundraisers need to be everywhere. Consuming the conversation. They might even feel the need to fill the silence and speak even after we ask a donor for a gift, instead of waiting for a reply.
But in fact, the great fundraisers are really great listeners. They stop talking after asking for a gift. They don’t consume all the attention. They let the donors and the work of the nonprofit shine.
9. DARKNESS
Complete and total darkness. Totally losing any ability to see in front of you.
Almost as scary as walking into a donor meeting without any knowledge of the donor. Have they given before? How much? When?
Who do they know? Were they on the board before? (Yep, I walked into a donor meeting with a former board member and had no idea)
Where do they work? Are they married? Do they have kids? What other organizations do they support?
Do yourself a favor and do a little prep work before you enter the room.
10. DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
The worst loss of them all.
This loss can really be felt when you lose a major donor. Whether they decide to no longer support you, lower their gift, or even pass away, this one can really hurt. But consider for a moment what you CAN do NOW:
Can you talk to your donors about planned giving?
Can you keep looking at your pipeline and your mid-level donors who might have the capacity to increase?
Can you stay in touch with donors who lapsed to get them back to where you are?
Losses will come. It’s what you do next that matters.
The ten plagues were warning signs to Pharaoh. Let my people go…or else.
Consider these also as signs to make your fundraising strategy healthy and sustainable.
Bad data, poor donor relationships and rogue board members can lead to long-term problems.