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> Fundraising > Tips > Top 25 Fundraising Mistakes
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25. |
Trying to do it all or not being truthful with yourself
about your organization's shortcomings thereby not
identifying areas where you need outside assistance and
not reaching out |
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24. |
Not using
the 80/20 rule in your fundraising strategy - that 20 percent of
your donors contribute 80 percent of your revenue |
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23. |
Conducing
the same fundraising efforts every year or continuing events
simply because they're tradition, even if they're not effective |
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22. |
Dismissing
in-kind donations as not as valuable as funding and/or not
counting them in your financial statements |
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21. |
Thinking
business networking doesn't apply to those who work for
non-profits |
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20. |
Not
belonging to a professional association |
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19. |
Not taking the time out to assess your progress |
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18. |
Not
expressing appreciation, particularly immediately following a
gift or volunteer effort or expressing appreciation only by
sending thank you notes |
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17. |
Not creating
a fundraising calendar according to institutional supporter's
funding cycles |
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16. |
Not setting
measurable goals and outlining a timeline |
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15. |
Not
carefully considering board composition |
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14. |
Not taking
advantage of earned income opportunities |
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13. |
Not
conducting follow-up after a special event |
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12. |
Assuming
that a major gift effort does not require long-term planning,
intensive engagement, relationship building and lengthy lead
time |
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11. |
Not
conducting prospect research with target marketing based on
ability, connection and interest |
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10. |
Conducting
discrete fundraising efforts outside of a strategic fundraising
plan |
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9. |
Submitting a
template appeal or grant without tailoring it to the potential
supporter's funding priorities |
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8. |
Not
maintaining a highly specified database of contacts with
historical records of giving |
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7. |
Not
specifying your organization's need with an accompanying clear
rationale that speaks to the larger benefit to the community |
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6. |
Thinking
stewardship of current donors isn't as important as seeking out
new donors |
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5. |
Not engaging
the board to participate financially and set the standard for
giving |
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4. |
Not being
aware of or differentiating your organization from others that
are doing similar work or working with the same population |
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3. |
Resting on
your organization's good cause to drive support |
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2. |
Not
believing non-profit marketing is necessary or intertwined with
fundraising |
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1. |
Acting
reticent to make The Ask |
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