You knew there had to be one. The one that enables those certain nonprofits to keep raising money—more money—this year and next.
Well there is.
These organizations have more of everything: more fundraisers, more prospects, more technology. Just more.
We just don’t have these, you say. Perhaps not.
But. The question you should be asking is, “Why not?”
I can assure you the answer is not because the “other” organization is larger, or more financially secure.
So what is the answer? It’s the dirty little secret.
Positioning yourself to raise money, more money and more money requires three things: a decision, an investment and time.
The decision is to build the infrastructure that all great organizations require.
Every engineering marvel owes its existence to the right infrastructure. It’s the “hole in the ground” that seems interminable until the building pops above the sidewalk. After that, it just seems to soar upward effortlessly.
The investment is in people and (some) tools. Notice the tools come after people. I once had a client who eliminated their one fundraising position in order to keep the over-priced software suite they were using. Does anyone wonder at the logic of that choice?
Finally, there’s time. Nothing can replace it. That’s why quick “fixes” never really “fix” your fundraising.
Principle 8 of The Eight Principles™ is Invest, Integrate & Evaluate™. It’s the principle of infrastructure and renewal.
So, the next time you’re tempted to think “we can’t”, think “we will”. Make the decision, make the investment, spend the time.
