Tips & Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
The current economic downturn has made it increasingly difficult nonprofit organizations to raise public funding to sustain their programs. Here are 5 tips to help your organization weather these challenging times:
- Accept what is. Energy used complaining about the current economic situation would be better spent taking action. I have been to several meetings with development professionals who spent an inordinate amount of time be-moaning how difficult it is to raise money these days. These conversations are depressing and serve no purpose. If you are responsible for spearheading the fundraising in your organization resist the urge to join the doomsayer chorus. Instead, spend at least one hour a day beating the bushes trying to uncover new resources.
- Ask your constituents for support. If you have been true to your mission and are making a difference in their lives your constituents want you to keep your doors open. A gift of ANY size is can help your bottom line (especially if you skip the fancy and costly glossy direct-mail pieces). Also, becoming a will provide those you serve with a valuable opportunity to participate in their own empowerment & liberation. It will also increase their ownership in the organization. Ask them to help you serve them better by investing in THEIR organization.
- Keep in touch with long-time donors who withdraw support. Just because a previous funder is unable to support you now does not mean that they are not interested in helping you. A donor may be willing to introduce you to other funding opportunities or provide you with technical assistance and other resources. Also, maintain the relationship will keep you on their radar and they will remember you when their financial position improves.
- Think outside of the ‘fundraising box’. There’s no escaping the fact that many nonprofits are having to cut back. However, you should still be aggressive in seeking out new and creative funding sources. Ask your peers to introduce you to funders who have ‘sun-set’ them out of funding. Ask for in-kind contributions of office supplies and other goods and services to off-set your overall operating costs. Ask your individual donors to investigate employer gift-matching programs or volunteer incentive programs at their workplace.
- Engage your staff in conversations about cost-cutting measures. Many organizations have been able to avoid massive layoffs and program reductions because their staff agreed to take temporary pay cuts and reductions in work hours. Living in a state of fear and an anxiety over the possibility of losing their jobs is not good for your staff’s mental/physical health OR your organization. Engaging staff in honest conversations about the organization’s financial state can help ease tensions and give you access to extra brain power needed to identify solutions.
