The “Recipe for Success” - How a Charity can be Successful

It seems as if I get asked this question all the time “How can my charity be successful?”.  Honestly, I am scared to see how people react when I provide the answer because it’s just not that easy. 

If anyone ever tells you that they were an overnight success, they are greatly stretching the truth – it’s honestly a myth.  Even popular musicians and actors that “pop up” out of nowhere, having been working at their talents for years prior to their discovery.

When people ask me, how they can be successful like me, they want the recipe but want their success to come quickly.  We have been in business for years and are still working nearly 7 days a week.  There is no real “Recipe

But getting back to the answer to help our charity clients, here is the ingredients of the “Recipe for Success”:

1.     Tablespoon of “Commitment” – First, ask yourself and those around you if they are truly committed to the success of your charity or your fundraising event.  It may take a few years to build – are they or most importantly, are you committed to invest a few years of work?

2.     Ounce of “Drive” – You must have drive.  What is drive you ask?  To work harder, longer.  You have to push yourself to accomplish your goals no matter how long it takes.  If you want to fundraise and be highly successful, you must have the fortitude to make it happen.

3.     2 Tablespoons of “Ability to Change” – This is where most people fall out and the miss this important part of the recipe.  Your ability to accept change and to do it, is what will make you and your fundraising efforts different.  Strive not to be the same.  Watch other charities, ask questions and strive do better by being completely different.  Today, many charities follow the crowd but are hardly ever noticed by possible supporters.  You must stand out of the crowd in order to be highly successful.  Do not be close minded. 

4.     2 Tablespoons of “Education / Common Sense” – This is the “Secret Ingredient” that most people lack.  Educate yourself on the reality of fundraising.   After your fundraising event, look to see how certain things performed such as donated items versus our “No Risk Auction Items.”  Talk to people, ask them what they think.  Be open to what they are going to tell you and accept their answers.  Ask yourself, while trying to step out of your role as a charity fundraiser, the same questions – but – answer them honestly.

5.     1 ounce of “Heart / Passion” – This adds the “Zest & Spice” in the recipe.  Do you know who normally has the most heart and passion for a charity?  A Volunteer.  They love the charity because of the work the charity is doing or how the charity helped them.  If you are not a volunteer, try to think like they do.  They give their time and hard earned money to help.  I’m not saying give money, what I am saying is try to acquire their passion.  If you are a Volunteer, then ask yourself, why are you helping?  Having “Heart & Passion” is what brings this recipe alive.

6.     Cooking Time – The most important aspect of all this is – time.  NO ONE is a “Rainmaker.”  It takes time for your fundraising efforts to escalate.  Each successful fundraising event builds on the next.  It could take 3 years before a charity see’s a definite change.  Plus if you have added the above five (5) ingredients, it will take you that long to acquire the knowledge needed to see a change.

7.     Enjoy the Fruits of your Labor.

Let me give you a real life example – many years ago, I became a volunteer with a charity that was raising money for an animal that did not exist anywhere near the state I live and work in – Rocky Mountain Elk.  When I first agreed to become a volunteer, I didn’t have a clue about the charity, the animal or how to fundraise.  When I asked to become the Chapter Chairman, I had the “Heart & Passion” to want to do more and truly expand their fundraising efforts.  Within 3 years, that tiny chapter started to become a MONSTER.  Within 5 years, we were the largest and most successful chapter in North America.  It took time, drive, passion, commitment and definitely A LOT of common sense.  I had to educate myself on everything, most importantly was asking people what they wanted and delivering.

I hope you enjoy this recipe…I enjoyed building it.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is known all across North America as a Leader in Charity Fundraising in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  The BWU Fundraising experts can assist you in building a successful fundraising event which will build upon itself for years to come.  Known for providing the absolute best “No Risk Auction Items” available today, BW Unlimited can assist you and your charity with everything you need to be as successful as possible.  Contact us today at www.BWUnlimited.com.