NPA 074: How to Start a Major Gifts Program for Your Nonprofit

Steve Vick, November 29, 2017, Fundraising, Podcast, 9

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It takes a special kind of person to be a fundraiser. Or at least that is what we tell ourselves. For most people, fundraising is intimidating. After all, who wants to go around asking other people for money. For most of us, fundraising doesn’t come naturally.

And yet, fundraising is an essential part to running a successful nonprofit.

So, here is some good news. Fundraising can be learned. AND it can be enjoyed.

In this podcast I interview Mitchell Linker, author of the book, “Nobody Dreams of Being a Fundraiser”. He talks about his evolution of becoming a good fundraiser. And the struggles he went throught that helped him learn his craft.

Mitchell walks us through a start-to-finish scenario of how to approach potential donors to ask for major gifts. Within this scenario he discusses:

How to identify potential major gift donors
How to start a major gifts program
What to say (and ask) during face-to-face visit with potential donors
And, in the end, how to ask for money

This is a great podcast for anyone interest in raising money for their nonprofit. And especially if you want to start a major gifts program.

Special Gift! Leave a comment below to be automatically entered to win a free copy of Mitchell’s Book.

Resources

Mitchell’s Website: NooneDreamsofBeingaFundraiser.com

Other Resources

Mentioned at beginning of podcast, podcast featuring Steve: Epidemiology Podcast

9 Comments

Comments are closed.

Scott Lytell 6 years ago

Thanks so much for this episode. I am just starting my work in the nonprofit sector. I’m a full-time grad student studying Nonprofit Administration with a focus on fundraising. I really enjoyed hearing the conversation about asking questions, getting to know a donor, and listening to them as a way to lead into the ask.
Kate Feibusch 6 years ago

I really appreciated hearing some of the questions you use to “go to the island”. Those help a lot. I’d love the chance to win the book. I very much appreciate Nonprofit Allyas well – I feel like Steve has been a great coach this year, as I get my nonprofit off the ground.
Author

Steve Vick 6 years ago

Hey Shanna,
You could try FlipCause. They seem to be reasonable price and rather robust. We just did a podcast with them.

Check it out at, https://nonprofitally.com/community-engagement-fundraising/
Kevin Truong 6 years ago

Amazing podcast, it was very helpful. I’d love an opportunity to win Mitchell’s book.
- Author
  
  Steve Vick 6 years ago
  
  Thanks for the comment. Good luck. BTW – congrats on heymentor.org’s 501.c.3!
Elizabeth Aguilar 6 years ago

I loved this interview! Thank you. I’m glad Mitchell highlighted how uncomfortable it can be to ask for monetary donations, but this was extremely helpful!

thanks again,
Elizabeth
- Author
  
  Steve Vick 6 years ago
  
  Thanks for the feedback. It’s good to know we aren’t the only ones uncomfortable with asking for money.
shanna johnson 6 years ago

Thanks. This was very helpful. I had a question. Does Mitchell have a checklist for the fundraising process? Besides Razoredge, what other database do you recommend?
I have learned my processes need to be on one computer but accessible. I was using my personal laptop and desktop.

Thanks
Shanna Johnson
sjohnson@watwbroward.com
- Mitchell Linker 6 years ago
  
  Thanks for your comment. I can’t really recommend any other fundraising databases. I am sure there are plenty, and perhaps some that are less expensive (if also more no-frills) but I don’t know of any off hand. It just so happens that everywhere I’ve worked has used RE.
  
  This website might be a resource to inquire about systems. https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources
  
  Or you could even call Blackbaud (which makes the Raiser’s Edge) and ask them what they’d recommend for a small non profit. Thanks, Mitch

Other Important Impression Makers

GET A WEBSITE

This should be one of the first things you do. A website that has your information on it is invaluable. You can put your mission, your contact information, your forms, your board meetings, your volunteer calendar, your donation page, your staff information and so much more online.

A professional looking website is easy to set up and very affordable (less than $100, really!). And it is a great way to build the capacity of your organization.

GET A LOGO

The number of new nonprofits that get created each year keeps rising. Separating your organization from the rest is an important part of establishing yourself in your community. No matter what your mission is, it will have more impact if it is branded with a recognizable logo.

Some Tips & Resources

Type in "free logo" in Google. You’ll be surprised how many decent choices there are.

If you are having trouble deciding on a logo, you can opt to have "text" logo. There are many organizations that simply use text as their logo. If you choose to do this, learn all you can about the subtleties of fonts, colors, balance, line height, font-weight and line spacing.

Pre-made logos are professional and inexpensive. GraphicRiver.com has over 25,000 logo designs. And it is easy to search for what you want. Their pre-made logos start at $29.

Hire a pro. I use 99designs.com*. All you have to do is post your project on their website and dozens of professional designers submit their ideas. Then you pick the one you like best. This cost about $300. They also have pre-made logos for $100.

Learn more:
Pre-made logos: GraphicRiver.net, 99designs.com
Custom Logos: 99designs.com

Word of Caution

Watch out for volunteer logo makers. I have rarely seen a volunteer make a logo that I would want for my organization. This is not saying that they didn’t have artistic talent. But that is usually the problem. They are artist.

Logos are not art. Let me repeat that. Logos are not art. A logo is a simple, clean, easily digestible symbol. Your logo should not have more than three colors, two fonts and two distinct objects/shapes.

Designing a logo is the one thing I suggest getting a professional designer to do from the get-go. Having said that, there are actually some good "free" logos available. They can be a bit generic, but better than having "art" as your logo.

One last thing about logos. A logo does not define your business. Your nonprofit logo starts with no meaning. The logo acquires the meaning from the product and/or services you provide.

(Here’s a little secret: The Nonprofit Ally logo is a free one I found on the web. But the logo for the nonprofit I started I had custom made at 99designs).