I’ve seen
it time and time again. I’ve warned
them, shouted it from the rooftops and watched as the stream of money from the
fundraising well slowed to a trickle then stopped – the well ran dry. I've watched as my clients continue to ask
for money even after they hosted a highly successful fundraiser. They believe that people will continue to
give.
Before I
begin, let me ask you a simple question:
Lets say
a friend asked to borrow $20.00, you give it to them because you want to help
them. A week or so goes by and the
friend returns asking for another $20.00.
You oblige them yet again. The
following week or so, they come back and ask again. Are you going to give it to them? Are you going to ask what they are doing with
your money? What will you do? I can guarantee you won’t give it to them
this time around.
Everyone
in the world would do the same – BUT – why don’t charities think like
this?
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Just as
if you are getting water from a well and not giving it enough time to replenish
itself, the same holds true with fundraising.
The more you ask for money and the more fundraisers you host, soon your
well will run dry.
First you
must understand that people are getting absolutely “BOMBARDED” by charities,
not just yours, asking for money. As it
seems, everywhere you go charities are asking you donate to them. Some have huge budgets so they can spend an enormous
amount of money trying to raise money.
But unfortunately, that’s not you or your charity.
I’ve seen
clients and friends go to the fundraising well over and over again. I’ve told them, I’ve warned them “Only host a
few fundraisers a year – host an “A” event and a “B” event and that’s it” – but
they don’t listen.
What
happens is their ego gets pumped up and they begin to think that every time
they host a fundraiser, it’s going to be successful…they are wrong.
The more
you ask, the less you will get. It will
become harder and harder to raise money.
More is not better, it’s less.
Charities or organizations should invest their time wisely in one or two
major fundraisers then leave it sit. Put
all your energy into raising as much money as possible with those events. But by all means, DO NOT continue to go to
the fundraising well over and over and over again.
People
will get tired of you and your charity asking for money, in fact, you will inevitably
push them away from you because you’re always trying to reach into their pockets.
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My best
advice I can give you is that you do not let your ego get in the way – think clearly
and remember how you would react if someone or a charity came to you over and
over again asking for money.
Continue
to go to the well, soon it will run dry…then you only can blame yourself if
your fundraising well runs dry.
BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in
a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting. Contact
us at www.BWUnlimited.com.
