As an association fundraiser, you know how important it is to continually bring in new revenue to support your organization’s goals. However, fundraising can be a challenge, especially in today’s economy. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 8 tips to help you improve your fundraising efforts.
1. Keep your members engaged.
It can be challenging to keep members engaged with your association. This is problem that many organizations face, as it’s often hard to maintain a consistent level of engagement among members. If you’re looking for ways to improve fundraising for your association, keeping your members engaged should be a top priority. Here are 4 tips to help you do just that:
Tip #1: Keep your website updated regularly
Your website is often the first point of contact for potential donors. Make sure that your website is up-to-date and provides accurate information about your association. Include a donate button on your website so that donors can easily make a contribution. You should also consider using an online giving platform to accept donations.
Tip #2: Send out regular e-newsletters
E-newsletters are an effective way to keep potential donors updated on your work. Include stories about the people your organization has helped, as well as information about upcoming events and fundraisers. Be sure to include a call-to-action in each e-newsletter, such as a link to donate or volunteer. You can also use e-newsletters as an opportunity to thank donors for their support.
Tip #3: Host special events
Consider hosting special events throughout the year as another way to raise funds for your association. These events could include gala dinners, golf tournaments, pancake breakfasts, or anything else that would be of interest to potential donors. Be sure to promote these events through various channels, such as social media, email, and direct mailings. Include event registration forms on your website and in your e-newsletters so that potential attendees can easily sign up.
Tip #4: Have a presence at community events
Make sure that your association has a presence at local community events, such as farmers markets, fairs, and festivals. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about your work and solicit donations from potential supporters. You can set up a booth at these events and hand out information about your organization. You can also sell merchandise like t-shirts or water bottles with your organizational logo to raise funds.
2. Develop a strong case for support.
A strong case for support is essential to ensuring that potential donors understand the importance of your work and are motivated to give. Here are eight tips to help you develop a strong case for support and improve your fundraising efforts.
Tip #1: Do your research
Before you can develop a case for support, you need to understand the needs of your association and its members. What are the most pressing issues facing your community? What programs or initiatives would have the most impact? How does your association compare to similar organizations? Answering these questions will help you develop a clear and compelling case for why donors should invest in your work.
Tip #2: Know your audience
It’s important to segment your potential donors and tailor your message accordingly. Different groups of people will be motivated by different things, so it’s important to craft a message that resonates with each segment. For example, if you’re raising money for a scholarship fund, some potential donors may be moved by stories of individual students who have benefited from the scholarships, while others may be more interested in the impact that the scholarships have on the overall community.
Tip #3: Make it personal
Your case for support should be focused on the specific needs of your association and how donors can make a difference. This is not the time to generalize or make grandiose statements; rather, you want to show potential donors exactly what their contribution will accomplish. When making your case, be sure to use concrete examples and statistics that illustrate the need for support.
Tip #4: Be clear about how their money will be used
Donors want to know that their money is being used effectively and efficiently. Be transparent about how donations will be used and what impact they will have. Additionally, make sure to thank donors for their contributions and keep them updated on how their money is being used and the difference it is making.
Tip #5: Tell a story
People are more likely to respond positively to a story than they are to facts and figures alone. When making your case for support, tell potential donors about the people or programs that will benefit from their investment. Share stories that illustrate the need for support and show what a difference their donation can make in someone’s life.
Tip #6: Use emotion wisely
Tugging at heartstrings can be an effective way to persuade people to give, but it’s important not use emotion excessively or inauthentically. Make sure that any emotional appeal you make is genuine and relevant to the cause you’re supporting.
3. Employ a diversified fundraising strategy.
Associations need to continuously fundraise in order to maintain existence. After all, memberships and donations are the lifeblood of these organizations. Unfortunately, many associations are not very successful when it comes to fundraising. In fact, most associations only employ one type of fundraising strategy: membership dues. This is a mistake. A diversified fundraising strategy is essential for the long-term health of any association. Here are four tips to improve your association’s fundraising efforts.
Tip #1: Develop a Diversified Fundraising Strategy
As mentioned above, the vast majority of associations rely far too heavily on membership dues. Dues should only make up a small portion of an association’s total revenue. Instead, associations should develop a diversified fundraising strategy that includes corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual donors. This will help to insulate the organization from fluctuations in any one particular funding stream.
Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Money
Many associations are reluctant to ask their members or potential donors for money. This is a mistake. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive. Members and potential donors want to support causes they care about but they can’t do so if they don’t know that the organization needs their financial support. So be sure to include a strong call-to-action in all of your communications, both digital and print.
Tip #3: Plan Ahead
One of the biggest mistakes associations make is failing to plan ahead when it comes to fundraising. Many times, organizations will wait until they are in dire need of financial assistance before reaching out to their members or potential donors for help. This is a mistake. You should always be actively engaged in fundraising efforts, even when you don’t necessarily need the money at that particular moment in time. By proactively seeking out new sources of funding, you’ll be better prepared when tough times inevitably come around again. Plus, many donors like to know that their money is being used to support an organization’s long-term success, not just its immediate needs.
Tip #4: Keep Your Donors Engaged
Donor attrition is a real problem for many organizations. In fact, data shows that 70-80% of first-time donors never give again (depending on the size of their initial donation). There are many reasons why donors may choose not longer give to an organization, but one of the biggest is simple lack of engagement from the organization itself. Once someone makes a donation, it’s important to keep them engaged with your organization through regular communications (both digital and print) and opportunities for volunteerism or other forms of engagement (such as events or programs). By keeping your donors engaged, you’ll be much more likely to retain their support over the long haul.
Diversifying your revenue streams and keeping your donors engaged are two essential components of a successful fundraising strategy for any association. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to ensure the long-term financial health of your organization.
4. Focus on donor retention.
Donor retention is critical for any successful association fundraising strategy. Here are seven tips to help you improve your donor retention rate and ultimately improve your fundraising efforts.
Tip #1: Keep your donors engaged
One of the best ways to keep your donors engaged is to keep them updated on how their funds are being used. Send out regular updates and invite them to events where they can see the impact of their donation first-hand. You can also create a community for your donors so they can connect with each other and learn more about the important work you’re doing.
Tip #2: Make it easy for donors to give
Simplifying the donation process will make it more likely that donors will give and give again. Consider implementing online giving options and recurring donations. You should also make sure you provide multiple avenues for giving so that donors can choose the method that’s most convenient for them.
Tip #3: Get personal with your solicitations
Personalization is key when it comes to donor retention. Your solicitations should be tailored to the individual donor whenever possible. Take into account their previous giving history, as well as any personal information you might have, such as their interests or hometown.
Tip #4: Say thank you—and mean it
Don’t take your donors for granted—show them how much you appreciate their support with a sincere thank-you message. You can even go above and beyond by sending handwritten notes or custom cards featuring impactful stories from those who have benefitted from their donations.
Tip #5: Keep your promises
When you make a commitment to a donor, do everything in your power to follow through. Whether it’s sending additional information about a cause they’re passionate about or adhering to a specific timeline, make sure you’re honoring your commitments so that donors know they can trust you with their money.
Tip #6: Be transparent about where their money is going
Be upfront with donors about how their money will be used and what kind of impact it will have. They should feel confident that their donation is being used in a way that aligns with their values and that they are supporting a worthy cause.
Tip #7: Don’t overlook the importance of data
Last but not least, don’t forget to track your progress when it comes to fundraising goals and donor retention rates . This data is crucial in understanding what’s working and what isn’t so that you can adjust your strategy accordingly . Implementing these ideas will help improve your fundraising efforts and ensure that your association remains strong for years to come!
5. Utilize social media.
Social media has become an incredibly powerful tool for nonprofits and associations. It provides a platform to share your mission, engage potential donors, and solicit donations. However, utilizing social media effectively for fundraising can be a challenge. Here are three tips to help you get the most out of your social media fundraising efforts.
Tip #1: Define Your Goal
Before you start using social media for fundraising, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind. What do you hope to achieve? Are you looking to increase awareness of your association? Drive sign-ups for an upcoming event? Or raise money for a specific cause? Once you know what your goal is, you can create content and strategies that are designed to achieve that specific goal.
Tip #2: Engage Your Audience Regularly
It’s not enough to simply post about your association on social media; you need to actively engage with your audience as well. That means responding to comments and questions, sharing relevant content from other sources, and generally being present on your chosen platform(s). The more engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to support your fundraising efforts.
Tip #3: Use Multiple Channels
While Facebook and Twitter are still the most popular social media platforms, there are a number of other channels that can be extremely effective for nonprofits and associations. LinkedIn, for example, is a great platform for sharing news and articles related to your industry or sector. Instagram and Snapchat are excellent visual platforms that can be used to give followers a behind-the-scenes look at your work. And don’t forget about email! Utilizing email as part of your social media strategy can be a great way to keep supporters updated on your work and drive donations.
Social media provides nonprofits and associations with a unique opportunity to connect with potential supporters from all over the world. When used effectively, social media can be an extremely powerful tool for fundraising. By defining your goals, engaging regularly with your audience, and utilizing multiple channels, you can maximize your social media fundraising efforts and make a real impact.
6. Get creative with your fundraising ideas.
If you work in the nonprofit sector, then you know that coming up with new fundraising ideas can be a challenge. You want to make sure that your fundraiser is unique and engaging, but you also want to make sure that it’s within your budget and that it will appeal to your donors. So how do you find that perfect balance?
Tip #1: Do your research.
Before you start brainstorming fundraising ideas, it’s important to do your research. First, you need to identify your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your fundraiser? What are their interests? Once you have a good understanding of who your target audience is, you can start thinking about what type of fundraiser would appeal to them.
Tip #2: Get creative.
There are a lot of different ways to fundraise, so it’s important to think outside the box. For example, if you’re looking for a unique way to engage your donors, you could consider hosting a virtual fundraiser or an online auction. If you’re looking for something more low-key, you could try a peer-to-peer campaign or a major donor dinner. The possibilities are endless!
Tip #3: Set a budget.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a fundraiser is your budget. Make sure to set a realistic budget for your fundraiser and stick to it. There’s no point in planning a lavish event if you can’t afford it—you’ll only end up disappointed (and in debt!).
Tip #4: Keep it fresh.
Donors can get burnt out if they feel like they’re being asked to support the same type of fundraiser over and over again. That’s why it’s important to mix things up and come up with fresh ideas on a regular basis. One way to do this is to poll your donors and ask them what type of fundraiser they would like to see next. This will not only help you come up with new ideas, but it will also show your donors that you value their input and feedback.
7. Form partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Forming partnerships with other organizations is a great way to reach new audiences and broaden your support base. You can collaborate with other nonprofits that serve similar populations or share similar causes. Together, you can co-host special events or participate in joint fundraising campaigns. By collaborating with other organizations, you can pool resources and increase efficiency while still providing quality services to those in need.
Associations are always looking for ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses. One way to do this is by forming partnerships with other organizations. This can be a win-win for both parties involved; the association gets additional revenue and the other organization gets exposure to the association’s members. But how do you go about forming these partnerships?
The first step is to identify potential partners. These can be businesses, nonprofits, or even other associations. Once you have a list of potential partners, reach out to them and explain what your association does and why you think partnering would be beneficial for both parties. Be sure to emphasize how the partnership would benefit their organization specifically. For example, if you’re proposing a partnership with a business, explain how their products or services would be of interest to your members.
Once you’ve made contact with a potential partner, it’s important to nurture that relationship. This can be done by staying in touch on a regular basis and keeping them updated on what your association is doing. Attend events that they are hosting and invite them to events that your association is hosting. The key is to build a rapport so that when it comes time to ask for something, they are more likely to say yes.
Finally, when you’re ready to ask for something, be specific. Don’t ask for “support” or “help.” Instead, ask for what you want them to do, such as donating money or supplies, sponsoring an event, or providing discounts to your members. It’s also important to remember that partnerships should be reciprocal; while you may be asking them for something now, there should be an understanding that you will also be willing to help them out in the future if the opportunity arises.
8. Seek out grants and other forms of funding.
The grant-seeking process can be divided into four main phases: 1) identifying potential funders, 2) researching grant opportunities, 3) writing and submitting proposals, and 4) following up after submission. Let’s take a closer look at each of these phases so you can start writing winning proposals today.
Step #1: Identifying Potential Funders
The first step in the grant-seeking process is to identify potential funders who might be interested in supporting your project. To do this, you’ll want to compile a list of foundations, corporations, and government agencies that have awarded grants in the past for programs or projects similar to yours. Once you have your list, you can begin researching each funder to see if they’re a good fit for your organization.
Step #2: Researching Grant Opportunities
After you’ve identified some potential funders, it’s time to start researching the specific grant opportunities that are available. Each funder will have their own eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application process that you’ll need to follow. That’s why it’s so important to carefully read through all the materials before you begin filling out your application.
Step #3: Writing and Submitting Proposals
Once you’ve found a few grant opportunities that you’re eligible for and that align with your organizational goals, it’s time to start writing your proposals. When writing your proposals, be sure to focus on painting a picture of the need for your project and how it will benefit the community. If you can convince the funder that your project is worth their investment, then you’re one step closer to getting funding for your organization.
Step #4: Following Up After Submission
After you’ve submitted your proposal, it’s important to follow up with the funder to thank them for their consideration and inquire about the status of your application. However, don’t be too persistent—you don’t want to come across as overly pushy or needy. A simple phone call or email should suffice.
These eight tips are sure to help you boost your fundraising efforts and bring in more money for your association. By taking the time to define your goals, research your audience, and create a sense of urgency, you’ll be well on your way to meeting (and exceeding) your fundraising goals.
