Creativity & Tradition

At this point you probably have a pretty good idea of how I feel nonprofit fundraising is best approached. As a wee reminder, your asking efforts benefit by embracing:

1. Creativity
   Creativity at its most basic is simply the act of creating. As a nonprofit asker you often find yourself in a position of needing to create a lot out of a little. It's not always easy, but you do it. This is the power of creativity in your work.
2. An Actor's Mind
   In rehearsal and performance the character's objectives as well as the tactics for achieving them are always top of mind for an actor. Your prospects have philanthropic objectives as well as tactics for achieving them. So do you. The key to successful asking is finding where everyone's objectives intersect and focus there.
3. A Vivid Imagination
   Imagination is the engine that keeps the creative machine running and producing. The old William Arthur Ward quote, "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it," is as important, if not more important, to nonprofit askers as it is to anyone.
4. A Commitment to Lasting Connections
   Connection is the name of the asking game. When we are able and willing to connect with donors and prospects on a deep, meaningful level our work is better, more consistent, and rewarding.

Of course, in addition to the above, there is room in my preferred approach, a necessity really, for more traditional fundraising methods. Nothing can replace sound fundraising best practices like developing a case for support and understanding how PAC impacts your efforts.

A case for support is a document that helps prospective donors understand why they should invest in your organization. A case for support can focus on a specific fundraising goal – think capital campaign, endowment, scholarship – or it can simply encourage donors to give unrestricted dollars to your organization in support of its mission across the board.

PAC stands for propensity, affinity, and capacity. It helps askers determine the likelihood of a prospect making an investment in the work of an organization. These scores can be done in house and/or through an outside company. I always recommend checking with your donor management software maker first.

Last but certainly not least, my way of approaching a nonprofit ask is always in line with the fundraising code of ethics as put forth by AFP. We are all better when we operate under a set of clear expectations and standards.

Although my approach may be a twist on the norm, it is steeped in tradition and nonprofit fundraising best practices. Everyone wins when creativity is combined with a respect for long held traditions, processes, and standards.