More Tips for Fundraising in a Recession

Graham-Pelton consulting has released a white paper on the fundraising opportunities in a down economy. There are several good suggestions in the report. Here are my favorites:

• Send a special thank message (not a solicitation) to your donors.
• Strengthen personal contact with your donors by making visits and phone calls a top priority. Remind donors of your mission and explain why you need their continued support.
• Offer flexibility to donors, such as flexible pledge payments, or suggest challenge gifts from select donors.
• Value the donor not the donation. Recognize and reward donor loyalty with thank you events, notes from board members, an appreciative phone call.
• Don't assume that donors will pull back on donations. Let them decide. Suspending or delaying a campaign might suggest that the project and need are not that urgent. Keep going...you donors may well follow.

Related articles:

• Fundraising in a Recession
• The Nonprofit Hard Times Survival Guide