People’s emotions affect day to day living. And with every fundraising event, generosity is the emotion that fundraisers would like to influence. The inspiration and morivation to give depends on what people feel when participating in a fundraising event. However, keeping the crowd all giddy and excited isn’t the only important thing to do.
Being a fundraising organization, what people want known is the cause as to why funds are needed. The sole purpose of this is because most people don’t realize how organizations obtain money to arrange such an event or how it costs to have it executed. Asking for money isn’t bad. This will only give the donors an idea of why the organization needs money. However, it is also every person’s right to say no, so it is important to know that it isn’t compulsory for them to give. Know too that there are immediate reasons why people are unable to give; not that they are self-centered, but because of priorities.
Thanking the person who gave money is a must. It is an important discipline to give a thank you note to people before banking the money. Delaying such action may make donors wonder if the organization needs the money. Note that photocopied thank you notes are as good as not saying thank you at all. Writing a short personal note is advisable. Suffice is to say, if giving out thank you notes isn’t made a priority, it only means that the organization doesn’t have time to retain donors.
Treating donors as special friends and not just as a sponsors or an ATM is vital. Treating donors as emmisaries of the organization is better than treating them as objects that are only good for supplying needs. Ensuring good treatment would rake in more donors and a peaceful mind that nobody is treated badly. Realize, too, that money doesn’t only come from the rich. It is better to focus on people from all classes and to edify to the young how to be generous themselves.
Being a fundraiser, the traits that you must adhere to are: 1. a conviction to the cause as to why money will be raised and faith during difficult times, 2. to hope highly with low expectations, and 3. belief in the people’s goodness.
Fundraising is different from begging, fund chasing, sqeezing or hoarding. You must know that fundraising is equal to a payment in exchange for work that people who share same point of views with the organizing group.
Learn not to delay planning. This saves plenty of time and saves organizers from the feeling of anxiety.