Thursday March 19- Fundraising from volunteers

Hi !

DJ: What’s cookin this week 

In this week’s enews…

• Low hanging fruit

• Email help

• The poll: Botox for camels?!

• A wonderful idea to help people dealing with cancer

• Great post: The importance of the P.S.

• Tevye runs into HOA trouble

• P.S. Crazy headline!

The solution to the Triple E (enews easter egg) from last week: The names of the Brady Bunch kids. An alltime fav TV show.

I was reading an article which was describing the “doom and gloom” that some nonprofits are facing. Part of “the sky is falling” attitude stems from leaders and fundraisers not being sure who else to turn to and ask for a gift.

I know that everyone is just waiting for MacKenzie Scott to call and wire over a 7-figure donation. The result?

But it did get me thinking about some people connected to your organization who are excellent donor prospects but many nonprofits won’t bother asking them.

Let’s dive into a pain point you might be facing… a pain point that’s really an opportunity for growth.

Danny: Low hanging fruit

Midsize. Major. Annual. Monthly.

There are many types of donors. But the question to ask is: Who are you asking? Are you targeting all the people you could and should?

In my 25 years working in and with nonprofits, there is one group of people who leaders sometimes refuse to turn to for gifts and who fundraisers have a hard time making an ask:

Volunteers.

I can already hear what some of you are thinking: “But they already donate their time and effort to our organization. How could we possibly ask them for a monetary donation?!”

I’ve heard it so many times. And here’s the answer I give everyone:

“You mean the people who see up close the impact you’re having? The people you’re helping? The great work you’re doing to make your community better? YES!!!! Ask them!!!! They’re some of the lowest hanging fruit your organization has!”

Or as the old philanthropy saying goes: If you don’t ask, how do you know they won’t give?!

I understand why your organization might be hesitant to ask. There is certainly the possibility that one of them gets angry and quits.

But the fact is that unlike almost all your other donors, they actually see what you do. They take part in your programs and services. They have vetted your organization and know it’s worthy of a gift.

I see plenty of reasons to ask them for a gift. You might want to start out by asking for a small donation- one-time or to become a monthly giver. This doesn’t have to be a $5,000 ask.

I would include them when setting out on a fundraising campaign. They too deserve to experience of the joy of philanthropy.

Two important things to keep in mind:

1. The ask: Unlike most of your donors, volunteers have a more in depth knowledge about your organization. You should segment them out and send a differently worded letter to them.

2. Post gift: Some will give, some won’t. Those who give need to be treated like a DONOR and not a volunteer. Which means post gift: sharing proper gratitude, stories, impact, data and more. Do they already know some of that? Yes. But that doesn’t mean they should be “cheated” out of receiving what every donor gets.

(Have a look at some creative ways to say thank you to your volunteers.)

Just like all your other donors, your volunteers want to belong to a community of do gooders. You could conduct a separate campaign just for volunteers and try to raise a specific amount for a certain program. This could work, especially if you have a volunteer leading the ask (their name signed at the bottom of letters/emails).

My point is this: I know why people within your nonprofit would oppose asking volunteers to donate. I say do it. Include them. You never know what opportunities it can lead to.

And if you wanna know my thoughts about employee giving campaigns, I have a LOT to say. Maybe in an upcoming edition…

Larry: Email assistance

Looking to grow your email subscriber list? Mobilize more people to open, read, click and take action? Use email as an effective fundraising and marketing tool?

Lemme upgrade your email efforts and help your nonprofit grow and thrive!

I offer a number of email services from auditing to crafting a custom strategy to managing your email operations. I can help your nonprofit raise more and build more relationships using email.

Reply to this email and let’s chat about your email pain points and challenges.

Chief: Learn from the good

In this section I’ll share with you something good being done by a nonprofit that you can learn from.

I first heard of this idea in an email from City of Hope back in June 2023. When I read it I said to myself “BRILLIANT!” This is how you do it!

Last month I learned about Friend For Life, a nonprofit based in Louisville, Kentucky. Their mission: “To help persons diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones navigate the path through diagnosis, treatment and recovery by pairing them with a trained survivor of a similar experience so they can face cancer with someone who's been there.”

I LOVE IT!

Who will understand what you’re going through better than a survivor. The idea of pairing a cancer survivor with someone dealing with cancer right now makes total sense. They have 420 volunteers across the U.S. People who can answer questions, understand what someone is going thru. They get it.

Watch this short report to learn more about the work they’re doing.

Kevin: A little of this and that

In this section I’m going to share with you great content I’ve picked out that you can learn from.

1. What the P.S. in your copy should do. MUST READ!!! (The Better Fundraising Company)

2. 15 tips for a better donor newsletter (Agents of Good)

3. Finding your best prospects (Nonprofit Fundraising)

4. Ways to use your email subject line to boost open rate (Westfield Creative)

5. How to steward a donor who doesn’t want attention (Capital Campaign Pro)

Bill: Tevye’s HOA troubles

I have a relative who lives in an area where there’s a Homeowners Association (HOA). Not fun.

But this section isn’t meant to be serious. Enjoy this humorous letter sent by an HOA to Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof.

SOTW (Song of the week): This week I listened to Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls on an endless loop while composing the enews. Why? If you’re on Instagram you know why.

I’ll be back in your inbox next Thursday. Have a great weekend!

P.S. You could’ve read the headline and figured out what state she lives in on your own.