Chances are if you’re a non-profit fundraiser, you’re overworked, overwhelmed, and looking for a light at the end of a tunnel filled with annual appeals, donor demands, and operational needs. Is a fundraising consultant the light at the end of the tunnel? Quite possibly!

There are a few basic boxes to check before you make your ask, and they’re sure to give you the confidence you need to be bold in asking for the support needed to further your organization’s mission.

How they give: They give big - They give in the now, and they plan their gifts through legacy and planned gifts. Arguably the most popular philanthropist right now is Mackenzie Scott, who has been in the news recently for gifts to the Girl Scouts, siting “REASON”. Her monumental and transformational giving shows powerful belief in missions.

For many non-profits, the fundraising role is lumped in with multiple other job duties, equating to less than one full time equivalent staff member dedicated to this important role. It isn’t enough to say that fundraising is a priority, in order to find success in this realm, you’ve got to dedicate time and resources to move the needle.

If you ask Oxford...

Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good cases

So...just the desire to help others? And does it HAVE to be to good causes? What if the donor gives only for personal recognition and prestige? Does that make what they are doing not philanthropy? Hard to say.

When hiring a fundraising firm, you’re doing just that, hiring additional fundraising FTE’s to help you bring philanthropic revenue through the door. If you wouldn’t hire each person that will be working with your team actually onto your team, don’t hire them as your fundraising firm.

You should customize each presentation based on each prospect’s values and what you have learned is important to them. Never do cookie cutter presentations or your prospect will never feel like their desires are understood.

Boldly launch a more visible, robust multi-year philanthropy initiative, keeping in mind that need dictates goal.

While dollars raised will be the ultimate performance metric, in our work with clients we see success coming from concentrating a fundraising fitness program in four areas.

Where should we focus our time and efforts regarding philanthropy? We must focus on building and expanding authentic and meaningful relationships.