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The Uncomfortable Truth About Being Inconsistent

Most fundraising efforts are, by design, episodic.  Whether they be an event, an email outreach, or a capital campaign.

And there’s nothing wrong about this, except. . .

That they ARE episodic.

“How could they be anything else”, you say?

They can’t—but—they CAN be a part of a much larger plan.  A meaningful strategy.

Start with Principle 1 of The Eight Principles®:  Donors are the Drivers®.  Your investors, your supporters are driving your fundraising results.  Not your outreach. Not your events.  Not your mailings, emails, texts—you name it.

Donors are on a journey.  Since donors are in the driver’s seat, your job is to navigate. Your job is to guide them on their path.  The path that brings them closer to you.

When you think in holistic terms, each point of contact is not just another “ping” to enlist support.  It’s a point of navigation.

The journey is the reason why being consistent over time with your donors is so essential to growth and success.  It’s not about the “big hit”.  It’s about showing up for your donors today, tomorrow, and next month.  Next year.  In ten years.

Don’t just drop your donors off at the next station.  Even if it’s just for a short time, you’ll likely discover they’ve taken another train.  And it isn’t yours.

It’s about them.  It’s always about them.

Remember what fundraising is.  It’s the act of bringing people together to accomplish what they cannot do alone.

Don’t leave your donors wondering where they’re headed. 

When your eyes are on the horizon, not at your feet, you’ll never wonder about having enough.  Never.

Want to know how to create a journey your donors never want to leave? We’ll show you.


Larry C. Johnson is the Founder of The Eight Principles and the author of the award-winning book, The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising.