Fall fundraising season is upon us! If you haven’t begun working on your year-end campaign and appeal letters, START NOW! Check out Sage70’s 5 keys to a successful year-end campaign that every organization should employ.
- Host a Thank-A-Thon!
Get your board members, staffers, and even volunteers involved in making brief calls to your donors. Take this opportunity to thank your donors for their generosity and inform them on where, and how, their donations are being used. Remind them how important their partnership is to your cause and how appreciated they truly are. Your lay leaders may need direction and structure to overcome discomfort about fundraising, so ask them to share a personal story about why they donate when they do outreach on your behalf. Start your own conversation with supporters by asking them WHY they donate, and what draws them to your organization. You can gain valuable insights for your next fundraiser by talking to your donors.
- Use Early Campaign Communications to Warm Up Donors
Send donors emails, postcards, or even telephone calls to let them know that your year-end campaign is about to begin. Be sure that your advance communication clearly explains the campaign and what impact it will have on the world. Detail your mission and get your donors emotionally involved in your campaign before it even begins. Early communications helps to get donors excited about the campaign and how they can join with you to make a difference.
- Echo Your Message With a Consistent Theme
It is important to create a campaign theme including colors, images, slogans etc. Use eye-catching images or graphics to gain attention from prospective donors and current partners alike. Send many different communications via email, social networking and mailings throughout the Fall that carry your theme and design every time. This creates a mental image of your organization and mission for your donors. When a person sees an image repeatedly, they are more likely to remember it. Make your campaign stick in the minds of all who see it by being repetitive and choosing the perfect graphics, images and colors. And remember, when it comes to social media, images are king!
- Be Specific
Your donors will respond better if you are more detailed and open about your campaign and funding. Be specific about what you want to accomplish this coming year, how much money it will take to accomplish that and what you plan to do with their money. A specific ask lets your donors know that you are organized and professional, and they you know what you need and why. Giving your donors details about your mission also lets them see your openness and transparency, which creates trusting relationships and, in turn, larger donations.
- Get Organized Now
There are only so many days left before Dec. 31st. Make sure that you have set a specific timetable with year-end follow-ups. Figure out your entire web of communication right now. Organize your warm-up, appeal and follow-up plans with specific drop dates. What role will Social media play in your fundraising plan? Is your website, online donation forms and CRM ready? Making sure you are organized will create happily connected donors, and a steady stream of funding from your website and mailbox.
Need help organizing your fundraising? Visit the experts at Sage70.com. We will guide you in creating the perfect plan for your year-end fundraising campaign! Contact Sage70 at: 877-958-9758 or Click here.
