No Fear- Fundraising and Growing
by Jessica High

Roger Craver, a veteran consultant for fundraising, says, “Nonprofit groups must avoid adopting a hunker-down mentality in the face of the current recession.”

 

Unfortunately, many people see the economic situation only as a negative. There are challenging elements, but there also are many opportunities. Craver says, “The opportunity comes from being aggressive when others are pulling back. The opportunity comes from experimentation when times are tough.”

 

It is time to think outside of the box, step out from your comfort zone. Craver would agree with this statement. “The winners — and I mean big winners for 2010, 2011 and 2012 — will be those NGO’s [nongovernmental organizations] who use the current crisis in 2009 to sharply focus on the ‘best’, ‘most loyal’ segments of their donor bases, to aggressively experiment with the use of truly integrated channels (mail, telephone, new media).and to turn the clock back to a personal and accountable focus on recognizing and involving the best of their donors.”

 

Online giving. Redesign your website. Make personal phone calls to your major donors. Go after new donors. Host an event to highlight the stories and passion of your ministry. Fearing and only looking at the negatives will hold back your ministry even more than a recession can. Instead, look at fundraising in a new way and act on that perspective.

 

Looking for grants? Christian Foundation Grants can help you! Send an email to info@christianfoundationgrants.com

 

Additional information taken from Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article “Nonprofit Groups Must Avoid Fear During Recession”

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