Remember that old movie technique where one of those old fashioned calenders (you may remember when calenders were paper) is shown with the days flipping faster and faster… If you’re in the nonprofit fundraising world, that may fit how things feel right now. If you’re like many, this is THE quarter when you have to deliver income. Much of what you can do, is already planned out and maybe already committed.
You may have some fears or worries about income this quarter. Maybe it’s a bit of anxiety a bouncing around in the back of your mind: “Have I done everything I can do?”
There are still a few actions you can take now that can help connect with donors and improve income this quarter.
Here’s one thing you can do today:
Look at all of your donor communications set to go between now and December 31. Is your copy about you or about your donors? Are you talking about what you want to do or what your donors want to do? Do you focus on your budget needs or the desires of your donors? Is your communication OrgCentric or DonorCentric?
Be the conduit for your donors’ desires and your income will improve.
DonorCentric fundraising will beat OrgCentric. Period.
This isn’t an easy change to make. The strategies and copy techniques are heavily nuanced so you can’t always make this switch quickly, but you can begin now.
Check out last year’s list of “Not Too Late” 4th Quarter ideas…all still excellent advice (if I do say so myself).
Look for more 4thQ Fundraising “There’s Still Time” ideas in the next few weeks. But today, look at your communications, are you focused on what your donors want to do?
What are you doing to maximize your fundraising this quarter? What will your 4th Quarter be like? I love to hear what you’re thinking.
st
Steve Thomas
Partner, Oneicity
(photo credit: Sister72)
