What do you do daily to be a better fundraiser?

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Image Credit: Michal Zacharzewski

There are activities and strategies that fundraisers can engage in over time that help raise more funds. Systems, procedures, methods, ladders, etc. that lead to more incoming funds. Sometimes one-time activities or projects take an organization’s fundraising to the next level. What are small things that can be done, however, on an ongoing daily basis?

Straight from the horse’s practitioner’s mouth: I recently asked some of my friends who fundraise what they do daily that makes them better fundraisers. Here’s what they told me (some more “daily” than others)….

1. News and Blogs

I read news and blogs on fundraising (am subscribed to a couple enewsletters) such as Charity Village’s Village Vibe.

2. Online Seminars

I attend professional development seminars through AFP (find the Vancouver chapter of AFP here)

3. Connect to People

I write personal notes to contacts and take the time in phone conversations to connect on a personal level, share my passion for my work and look for common ground to build stronger relationships.

4. Program Elevator Message

I think about and try to verbalize my program’s objectives in a way that anyone could understand and make sure those objectives are aligned with my organization’s mission. Then I can clearly explain to funders how I believe their support will help us fulfill that mission.

5. Prepare for Contact

I look into our records (database and hard files) to see exactly what contact we’ve had with the donor recently/ever. This way I’m knowledgeable on the donors needs and interests. I also have a clear objective for the contact.

Thank you to those that contributed! – Merissa Myles, Virginia Edelstein, and anonymous others.

What do YOU do daily to be a better fundraiser?