Fundraising on a Shoestring…in Chattanooga

I was pleased to be a breakout speaker this year at the Tennessee Valley Fundraising Institute in Chattanooga.  One of my sessions was “Fundraising on a Shoestring” and here are a few snippets from my talk:

- Put a return envelope in your newsletter.  It’s a soft way of asking for a gift.  If you do a good job in your newsletter of telling compelling stories and building trust with the donor, then an envelope will provide the means for them to give.

- Put an acknowledgment plan in place.  Be proactive about thanking donors for their gifts.  Make sure that you are thanking your major givers often and in meaningful ways, not just with a tired, computer-generated letter.

- Hold a house party.  Ask Board members or volunteers to hold a house party in their home and invite their friends to come and learn about your organization. Have a staff person do a short program followed by a testimonial from the host or hostess.  Then offer guests the chance to get involved.