Talisman Thinking Out Loud

Major Gift Fundraising is Hard

November 22, 2016 at 6:56 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment

Did someone tell you fundraising would be easy? Easier fundraising at a large institution like a hospital or university with a natural donor base? Slower going fundraising at a community based nonprofit?

Sure it’s hard.

It’s strategic work. Fundraising strategy takes some time to develop and implement.

It’s outwardly, donor focused.

It’s about telling a story a donor wants to hear and understands in their bones.

Oh and it’s about follow up – lots of follow up. Yep fundraising is in the details.

One thing major gift fundraising is usually not about is “the ask”. ‘Cause after the donor centered strategy, storytelling and follow up – the donor asks,

“What can I do?

How can I make an impact?

How much will it take?”

So depends on how you define “hard”. For me it’s a joyful challenge serving as a catalyst between the mission and programs of an organization and philanthropic interests and passions of a donor. And when you have joy, you attract it and share it with others. Be joyful in your fundraising then it isn’t hard.

Entry filed under: Fundraising, Nonprofit fundraising. Tags: connecting donors and mission, How to connect donors to stories, major gift fundraising, raising major gifts.