Want to raise more money? You might need to do MORE of these 4 things.
Less is more, right?
Except when it’s not.
Do you want to raise more money?
Here are 4 things you might need to do MORE of…
Can you LISTEN more?👂
Do you want to unleash more generosity?
Listen 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.
Can you ASK more?🗣️
Most nonprofits under-ask. Some are afraid to ask, some don’t know how to ask, and others are worried about bothering people.
But guess what?
The more you ask, the more you receive. The same is also true in reverse.
You probably have more people than you realize who are not giving simply because they haven’t been asked. Count up all the times you asked your community to give in the last year via email, through the mail, on social media, at events, and in person. If the number is less than 20, you can probably raise more moneyby asking more often.
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.
If you can find ways to say thank you better and more often, you will inspire more generosity.
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, asking, 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, asking, thanking, and reporting?
