Why Donor Relations?…Still
I'm celebrating 2 years since starting my consultancy this week and couldn't be happier. Even though my business looks different as I finalize year two, I am grateful for the way it happened. I could've been busy out of my mind, juggling a newborn, but it wasn't like that at all. This year, I slowed down and I shifted my focus on what I CAN do.
Multiple times, a phrase came to me saying "I'm at capacity."
What a phrase right? I learned that this phrase was more than a reason to take a step back and re-evaluate, it's also a meaningful tool for nonprofits to remember.
After 3 years of flexibility in the nonprofit space, I'm sure we all had moments of feeling at capacity. We were burnt out, tired, uneasy....we needed to do something about it...but what!?
Be at capacity.
I’m referring to the nonprofits that are overworking themselves to maintain. A practice that isn’t actually leading to the result they need. In Year 2, I watched nonprofits try to “live up” to what I would call the “fundraising ancestors” that told organizations to find the rich man/woman in their community and problems would be solved - OR - the trend that told them to completely over expense out of their pockets because of their complete service to the community. So what if you just stopped? Stop doing what you think you should do and focus on what you CAN do.
Year 2 I’ve simplified, and I’ve encouraged organizations to do the same.
What does that look like?
Have a mission and work that mission ONLY. Stop taking on multiple missions that aren't aligned. Partner with those that are already doing the work, so you can focus on the mission you have adopted.
Data is King…or Queen (I’m in my Brigerton phase right now). You know what they say, ABC…which in my world is “Always Be Collecting.”
Build relationships with everyone regardless of perceived wealth. In a Southern way, we like to say, "Stay out of my pockets."
Because why? I’m at capacity and you are too!
By prioritizing donor relations as your fundraising strategy, you are not only able to build meaningful relationships with your donors but also gain insight into what matters most to them. This information can help you tailor your messaging and outreach to better resonate with your audience, ultimately leading to more effective fundraising efforts.
In addition, focusing on your mission can help keep your organization on track and ensure that all efforts are aligned toward a common goal. By tracking the right information, such as donor giving history and engagement levels, you can better understand the impact of your fundraising efforts and make informed decisions about how to move forward.
By aligning your operations with your mission and donor relations strategy, you can function at your best and still make a difference in the world. This means that asking for support becomes less of a chore and more of an opportunity to engage with your donors and further your mission.
Whether this comes across as a rant or an informative piece, I'm always happy to connect and make new friends within this philanthropic space.
Let's Amplify together!