Ask Other Nonprofits For Help
Many nonprofit organizations are willing to provide free or low-cost
consulting to other nonprofits. Ask around at organizations which are
similar to yours or which have confronted similar problems. Even if they
don't routinely offer formal consultations, they may be happy to share their
experiences with you. Be sure to contact your local United Way, which may
be able to direct you to peer-consulting services for nonprofits. Also
check with your national organization, if you are an affiliate. Obtaining
low-cost management advice may be the best investment you can make.
Don't Be Afraid To Ask
To solicit major gifts, use the four-step APOC Method:
1) Amenities: Get the prospect talking about personal interests.
2) Presentation: Give a concise, five-minute summary of your organization's
accomplishments, aspirations, and funding goal.
3) Objections: Ask if your prospect has any questions. Use facts to
convince the prospect of your point of view.
4) Closing: Politely and directly ask for a commitment.
Matching Gifts
Look for opportunities for business to match gifts and grants made by their
workers. In one city, we know of over 100 businesses which match
contributions by their employees by as much as three to one. There are many
national companies that match funds, too. This idea has a multiplier
effect for individual giving.
Make It Easy With EFT
Make it as convenient as possible for people to donate money to your
nonprofit organization. Give them the chance to use their MasterCard,
Visa, American Express, payroll deduction plans, automatic bank transfers, and
so on. Let them give at intervals throughout the year rather than asking
them for one lump sum. Accommodate yourself to what's most convenient for
the donor.
Gift Catalog
Nonprofit organizations of all types could try something which has worked
well for many municipal agencies. The idea is to put together a catalog of
listing things which donors may "buy". For instance, a gift
catalog put our by the Madison, Wisconsin Park Commission lists a sandbox for
the playground at $200, a drinking fountain at $250, park bench at $100, and an
oak tree at $80. Or one can help buy a new elephant for the zoo or have an
acre of prairie planted in a conservation area. Such a catalog serves a
double purpose. Not only does it bring in money, but it increases the
public's sensitivity to how much things really cost.
Interest on $1,000
A fundraising idea based on the psychological tenet that how you ask
for money is often as important as how much you ask for. Ask people
who have major investments to give you organization the interest on a $1,000
investment. At the end of the years, they'll still have their $1,000, and
the interest will be transferred into your account. Psychologically,
somehow, they don't feel they're giving as much as if you asked for the same sum
outright. Another idea based on the same premise but more applicable to
rural communities is An Acre of Income. Here you ask landowners to
give you a contribution of a year's income from an acre of land.
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