If your organization is having trouble raising money right now and you’re blaming it on the economy, I want you to stop.

There are lots of nonprofits who are doing just fine.  Many of my clients are raising more money this year than last year.  Attendance at annual dinners and galas is up.  Donors are still giving and many have increased their gifts.

What makes the difference between those organizations and yours?  It’s mindset.

What you think about and believe becomes your reality.  Yep, those little thoughts running around in our heads have more impact on us than we realize.  If you spend your day focused on how bad things are and how you can’t raise money, your thoughts become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  If you focus on what’s possible, you will find opportunities to raise money.

Here are some BIG THOUGHTS I want you to think:

• There is enough money out there for all of us.  Every nonprofit can raise all the money they need to fulfill their mission.  Don’t look at other nonprofits as competition either.  Focus on the fact that if every person who gives to a charity gave just 1% more, we’d all be cash flush!
• The best fundraising is based on donor relationships.   Our donors are NOT ATM machines and we have to stop treating them that way.  Focus on your donors as friends and partners in your work, then treat them as such.
• Passion is contagious!  Share your passion for your work.  The more excited you are about the life-changing work your organization is doing, the more others will be excited and want to help.
• Have an Attitude of Gratitude.  Be grateful for everything.  Thank your donors.  Thank your volunteers. Thank the people who pick up your trash.  You never know who might be capable of connecting you with an invaluable resource or dropping a large gift in your lap!

You can change your circumstances, but you have to first change your mindset.  Start monitoring your thoughts.  Dump the negative ones and focus on the positive.

The AFP Conference wrapped up today.  It was a great conference (as always) with many opportunities to learn from others.  I thought I’d share a few things that I picked up.

• 66 percent of high wealth donors said they quit giving because they did not feel connected any longer.  We really have to focus on relationships!
• “Stretch goals” have enormous power, generate energy, creativity!  See if you can raise just a little bit more than you think you can.
• The cost of acquiring a new donor is rising. So is the cost of losing a donor.  We need to hang on to our donors and the best way to do that is to engage and respect them.
• You wouldn’t write ‘dear friend’ to anyone who actually is.  Never send a letter to ‘dear friend.’ Always personalize.
• Donors don’t give to institutions, they invest in ideas and people.
• Fund raising is a noble profession.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu said so.

Next year, the conference is in Chicago.  I encourage you to make plans to be there.  Go to www.afpnet.org to get the scoop.

This is a live blog post from the AFP conference!

I’ve heard from several people lately that they’re struggling and frustrated.  I’m saddened to hear that, because I know it doesn’t have to be that way. So, I’m going to try to do something about it.

Join me for a complimentary webinar this Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 3 pm eastern as I present “Ready to Raise More”.

I’ll be be sharing proven tips and techniques from my own experience to help you get out of a rut and onto the path to success.

This no-cost, 1-hour training is perfect for you if you’re

• feeling a little overwhelmed or uninspired
• tired and need a little encouragement
• unhappy with the amount of money you’ve raised over the past year or so
• committed to making a change so you can raise more this year!

Learn what you need to do to prepare yourself to raise more money this year than ever before.  Getting ready for fundraising is step 1 in my 7-step system to Get Fully Funded.  I can’t wait to share with you the things you can do to set yourself up for success!

In this webinar, I’ll be talking about

• how to stop worrying about the economy and whether or not people will give
• how to create systems that will make your life easier and save you time
• how to manage your time and priorities so that you can free yourself up to focus on what’s important
• how to get your Board on board with your fundraising plans!

Register at www.getfullyfunded.com/ready-to-raise-more.

Please pass this on to others who might also benefit.  I want to help as many nonprofits as I can to get unstuck and moving forward this year!