It’s the development officer’s job to build strong relationships. We spend much of our time focused on bonding with donors, funders, and others. But that’s only half of the challenge. Rapport with colleagues can be just as important—and just as rewarding. The points in this article can help you stay successful, even under difficult conditions.
To honor donors’ generosity and sustain the giving tradition, organizations have a duty to demonstrate gratitude. But it’s not as simple as sending a note or printing names in a newsletter. There are pitfalls and opportunities. Here are a few of the principles we’ve learned.
Looking for just the right words for a thank you note? Need concise information about your organization for a grant proposal? Want the message to position your group in new fundraising materials? Your case for support is the place to look. It is one of your most important – and useful – tools.
Peer-to-peer fundraising can work for any organization. It can create significant funding and brand awareness. It activates social networks, both online and offline. For example, the recently released Peer-to-Peer 30 indicates nearly $1.6 billion were raised by just the 30 largest such programs in 2014. Collectively, they engaged more than 11.6 million volunteers in thousands of events. Relative results can be found from small to large organizations.
cap•i•tal (n): a measure of the assets available to build a business. In general, companies with access to working capital will be more successful since they can expand and improve their operations.
Talk with your donors, leaders, and prospects—either informally or through a formal “mid- campaign assessment” to determine their perception of the campaign
Willy Sutton was a depression-era bank robber. He was wanted for robberies in New York, New Orleans, and Miami. After his capture on March 9, 1950, a reporter asked him why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is,” he replied. Aside from his lack of moral justification, his reasoning was sound. Go were the money is.
