Need to raise more money? Try doing MORE of these 3 things.
Less is more, right? Except when it’s not.
Do you need to raise more money?
Here are 3 things you might need to do MORE of…
1. Can you LISTEN more?
Do you want to unleash more generosity? Try listening more.
Ask more questions and take the time to truly listen and understand the hopes, fears, and goals of the people who give.
When people feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to stand alongside you and contribute to your cause.
Communication is a two-way street, and it all starts with listening.
2. Can you THANK more?
Gratitude is a powerful force that deepens connections and encourages ongoing support.
Do you need to get better at expressing your appreciation faster, more often, and more sincerely?
A heartfelt handwritten note, personal gift acknowledgment, and a little recognition go a long way in making someone feel valued.
This is about more than simply acknowledging. It’s about inviting people to celebrate being part of a community making a lasting difference. It’s thanking them for who they are as much as it’s about thanking them for what they did.
I’ve been doing this for 20 years and have yet to discover a diminishing rate of return with gratitude.
If you can find ways to say thank you better and more often, you will inspire more generosity.
And last…
3. Can you REPORT more?
I don’t put much stock in fundraising formulas… except this one:
More reporting = more trust –> more trust = more giving.
You can take that one all the way to the bank because trust is the foundation of successful fundraising.
Want to build more trust with your supporters?
Find a way to report more often on your progress and showcase the direct impact people are making when they give.
Reporting doesn’t always have to be positive, either. The transparency required to share struggles builds as much trust, if not more, than reporting on successes.
All things being equal, organizations who report back often usually raise more money and enjoy stronger, longer-lasting relationships with their supporters than those who don’t
In fundraising, less is usually NOT more.
Not when it comes to listening, thanking, and reporting.
Now… before you come at me with how overwhelmed you already are, I get it.
You’re already juggling more balls than a circus clown down at Barnum and Bailey’s. The last thing you need is someone like me tossing a few more your way.
If that’s you, can I ask you a different question?
What do you need to do LESS of so you can do MORE listening, thanking, and reporting?
As always, keep up the good work!
-Michael