Whether your fiscal year ends on December 31st or not, January feels like a good time to set new goals.
Even though just 45% of Americans set New Year's resolutions, and just 8% of them successfully achieve them, the beginning of a new year is still a good time to start some new habits that could bring better results.
You could be that 8%, which would put you out front of everyone else. First, let's talk about the keys to successfully following through on your New Year's resolution. Second, we'll talk about some good resolutions to set related to fundraising.
Keys to Achieving Your New Year's Resolution
I did a little research on what that 8% does to achieve their New Year's resolutions, and my favorite pieces of advice include:
- According to The Women's Club Blog (www.thewomens-club.com), "Leaving your comfort zone can be very daunting but it is this discomfort we must face in order to truly reach our goals."
- According to Winners Drink Milk Blog (www.winnersdrinkmilkblog.com), "Write down and publicly announce your goals. Tell your friends, broadcast it on Twitter, Facebook or whatever your choice of communication. You are much more likely to make improvements than someone who hasn't made a formal resolution."
- According to The Telegraph Blog (www.telegraph.co.uk), "Break your goal into a series of steps, focusing on creating sub-goals that are conrete, measurable, and time-based.
What Does This Have to do with Fundraising?
If you want to get different results in fundraising, then you'll need to change your behavior just like you have to when you want to lose weight, manage stress, get a better job or recycle or volunteer more.
That's why I love the three keys to success I found above. Let's relate them to fundraising.
#1 - Leaving Your Comfort Zone
My clients who get the best results are so open to THINKING about things in a new way and suffering through the discomfort of DOING things in a new way. My favorite clients say, "Deb, just tell us what to do; we're ready." They have a little faith and when they try what I ask them to try, they're so pleasantly surprised by the results.
- Pick up the phone and talk to people. Whether you are the development director or a board member, this is the number one thing holding you back. Go find my blog on case statements and elevator pitches and just start practicing on someone, anyone. Whatever is the most difficult thing for you to do is probably the most important thing for you to do - just like exercising. Stop saying you don't have time. That's really an excuse for avoiding something you're uncomfortable with. If you can call on your discipline to JUST DO IT, you will get results.
#2 - Share Your Goals
I recently worked with a client that had a goal to increase their patrons. They already a significant number of very loyal patrons who just adored them. I asked, "Have you told the people who already love you that you're looking for more people like them?" People like to help; but they need to know how.
- Don't be afraid to let your supporters know about your goals. There's a kind of intersection of magic that happens when an organization inspires someone who has the desire to make a difference. It's actually a gift to the donor AND the organization! No one knows how hard your're working and what you need unless you tell them. In the words of one of my clients, " I have also gotten more specific in identifying what people can do to help - specific number of drivers and specific things we need to buy. It really seems to motivate folks to hear specifics - even if they can't do it they may hand me a check [for some amount]."
#3 - Break Your Goal into Steps and Celebrate Along the Way
Let's say your goal is to raise an additional $100,000, and your total budget is just $2 million. That's a big increase. How can you break this into smaller, achievable steps?
- Figure out what this $100,000 will pay for. Be specific so prospective donors know exactly how they can make a difference. For example, maybe you need $6,000 to pay for two lego robotics sets, $15,000 for Chrome Notebooks for 60 students, $6,000 for Discovery Education Online Curriculum, $15,000 for student project supplies, and $58,000 for a new computer lab. Defining your needs will allow prospective supporters to know exactly what their contributions mean.
- Schedule one hour more per week focusing on relationship culivation. One hour more per week equals at least 50 hours per year, and that can really make a difference when it comes to cultivating relationships. Think about it. One more hour per week could mean a significant number of interactions with people every week: 10 more phone calls thanking donors, two more tours, one more lunch with a new donor or research on two more people that might be inspired by your work - EVERY SINGLE WEEK! While there is no guarantee you will receive a specific gift from a specific person, there is a guarantee that if you do the activities (research, calls, tours, meetings, etc.), you will get more than you got before.
- Celebrate small success to provide more momentum. A lot of this work is done by volunteers like board members, who are really looking to make a meaningful contribution. It's important that they feel there's progress being made, even if it's small. It's just not motivating to feel like what you're doing is never good enough. If your goal is $100,000, and you've just raised your first $5,000 of that amount, send out an email to your entire boad congratulating them. Do a little dance to celebrate. Think about what recognizing your children for their little accomplishments does; it makes them want to do more. We really never grow out of that need for positive recognition.
Share the Joy!
There's enough to go around. You don't have to be in competition with anyone. The more you share, the more you receive. Please share your success stories on my blog - spread the joy!
Happy Holidays!
Deb
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