No matter how worthy your cause is, it can be difficult to attract new donors. The fact is that these days, many people are reluctant to part ways with their money when they’re not getting something in return. Furthermore, many people are increasingly skeptical about giving to charities and other nonprofit organizations.
While getting people to donate to your cause can be like pulling teeth, that shouldn’t deter you from your purpose. With the right strategy, you can raise awareness and attract funds to your cause, and catalyze the change you want to see for your community or the people you represent. Continue reading to get some tips to help you attract more donors in 2020.
Make your donors feel welcome to aid in setting the course for your organization.
One of the best ways to both attract more donors and even garner larger donations from people who’re already supporters is to give them a say in the organization’s direction. When people donate their money to a cause, they like to have a say in the work that their donations are going to accomplish.
Howard Fensterman is an excellent example of a donor who also plays an integral role in the organization he supports. Mr. Fensterman, who is a co-founder and managing partner of the law firm of Abrams and Fensterman, with offices across the state of New York, is a big believer in philanthropy. Like the other members of his law firm, he has chosen to give back to the community and supports the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and the Chabad of Port Washington. Of the latter, Howard Fensterman sits on the board of directors and aside from the funds he’s donated, he’s also been key in getting other people to support the Chabad of Port Washington as well.
Many of your donors may be business, tech, or marketing savvy, and if they’re willing to lend their skills, then you should welcome them with open arms. You may even want to offer your big donors a place on the board of directors, or invite them to be a member of the board of trustees. Keeping them in a hands-on, leadership position adds more incentive for them to continue to donate significant sums of money to your cause.
Treat and trust your donors like customers.
One thing that non-profit organizations tend to overlook is customer service. Although your non-profit organization (NPO) isn’t in the business of making money, it’s still important that you keep your donors happy. Even for NPOs, the customer experience is crucial to the success of your organization.
The best way to ensure that your donors remain engaged in your cause is to treat them as loyal customers, as, in a sense, that is what they are. When they have questions and concerns, you need to address them with care and attention to detail. With so many non-profit organizations doing great work, the way you treat your donors is one of the main ways you can set your organization apart.
To ensure that you’re able to promptly respond to donor concerns, you need to set up a customer service infrastructure so you can provide them with answers and support when they need it. By using customer relationship management (CRM) software, you can keep track of who your donors are, their donating habits, and you can also keep them up to date with your organization’s events and initiatives.
Part of giving your donors the golden customer service treatment is in showing your volunteers and financial supporters appreciation for their funds and efforts. As often as possible, you want them to know that you’re grateful for their time and resources. People are more willing to become, and then remain, supporters when they know that you appreciate them.
Partner with other non-profit organizations.
Helping communities is just as much about partnering with the right people and organizations, as it is about garnering funds. More hands make light work.
Partnerships are able to cover more ground than individual organizations can and bolster each other’s causes through their synergy. For instance, if your organization’s main focus is feeding underprivileged families, then you should partner with another group, like a local church or food pantry, that shares a similar interest.
When you form partnership agreements with other groups, you’re able to share causes, resources, and even throw joint fundraisers and advertise for each other. Getting your organization’s name and cause on church bulletins will help you to garner more donors and probably more volunteers as well. It’s crucial that you network with other groups who share your passion because, in the end, it’s about your cause— not your organization.
