by Madean Gilzene, NHA, Founder of The Extraordinary Kids Foundation, Inc.
If you run a nonprofit, you know that fundraising is an effort that never ends. Raising money is the lifeblood of a nonprofit, and unfortunately, many organizations are often vying for the same dollars and cents. What’s more, if you are already a cash-strapped nonprofit, it’s likely you don’t have the staff support you need and it’s hard to get a grassroots nonprofit off the ground without many helping hands.
Suffice to say, fundraising is a challenge that never ends – even for the most successful nonprofits. It’s impossible to run a nonprofit without money to support programming, staff, and everything you need to supercharge your mission and maximize your impact to those who need you the most.
If you’ve held unsuccessful fundraisers in the past, it can be crushing and feel like you are spinning your wheels. Don’t worry, I have some tips to help you get your confidence back and supercharge your fundraising efforts.
Clarity is Key When It Comes to Communicating Your Mission
I’ve been in the nonprofit industry for a while and over time I’ve noticed that if your fundraising efforts are constantly failing, you are doing one of two things wrong. Either you aren’t relaying your vision or mission clearly, or you are unable to show how your organization is making an impact.
For this reason, it’s important before you even start planning your next fundraising efforts to become crystal clear on exactly what your organization’s mission is and how you are uniquely positioned to provide a unique service to the community that will make the maximum impact. It’s essential for you to be able to quickly and concisely explain your value to get buy-in from others.
Recently I was a keynote speaker at a luncheon and was able to speak to a new audience, many who hadn’t heard of my organization before. When I shared my personal story and my “why” for starting my nonprofit, I received an overwhelmingly positive response from those in attendance. It did get emotional at times, but there’s no substitute for sharing authentically.
Two Ways to Amplify Your Fundraising Efforts
1. Find Corporate Partners.
Corporate giving is a significant part of the philanthropic landscape. A significant portion of medium to large corporations engage in some type of giving. And it’s on the rise! According to the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), 75% of companies increased their corporate giving between 2018 and 2022. Small businesses often also contribute — especially to partners that impact their community — but their efforts are harder to track.
One of the best parts about corporate sponsorships is that once you’ve established the relationship, many times it’s ongoing, providing funds you can plan on and consistency for your organization. So how do you approach an appropriate corporate partner?
First, do your research. You’ll want a partner whose values and mission align with yours. As you’re starting out, you’ll likely find more success with businesses that are closeby and serve the same community you do. Oftentimes you can find common ground and can work together to a mutual benefit.
For example, I recently secured a partnership with a local nonprofit credit union. They are community and mission driven, just like my organization. Not only have they been generous with monetary donations and also in donating silent raffle auction items for various events, but they have also started providing financial literacy workshops and classes to the families we serve.
2. Plan a Community Event.
How many times have you personally participated in a 5k or other event being held as a fundraising effort for a local organization? People are looking for challenges and things to do with their families and friends so meeting them where they are at is a great way to gain visibility and kick-start your fundraising efforts.
Before you plan your event, set your goal. Once you understand that, you better know who to target to achieve that goal and what those people are looking for. Once you know your audience, create an event for them. If your target is families, partner with a local band to put on a children’s concert. If your target audience is women, partner with local vendors for a Girl’s Night Out shopping event.
It’s important to incorporate multiple ways to raise money from the event. You can charge vendors a nominal fee or percentage, hold a raffle or silent auction, or host a bake sale on-site. The sky’s the limit. Not only will you meet new people and grow your community, but you will raise money to support your mission at the same time.
My organization regularly holds free babysitting events for our community. Many of the families we serve have financial and safety challenges that keep them from being able to hire a regular babysitter in order to have a nice night out. Our event gives them the confidence they need to be able to take a break – something that many of our families have trouble doing. It’s not just for our existing clients. It’s open to anyone in the community experiencing this challenge. We meet new families and grow our community, while supporting those we already serve.
Fundraising is a challenge, but it’s important to always stay optimistic. I’ve witnessed firsthand that there is a lot of good in the world. There will be times when you feel like you’re a complete failure and there will be times when you are blown away by generosity – whether it’s an individual or a corporation. Just stay true to your purpose and mission. You will find the people who will help you make a lasting impact.
Madean Gilzene, NHA is the Founder of The Extraordinary Kids Foundation, Inc. Through in-kind donations, free childcare, and financial assistance, the foundation has made a profound impact in the lives of children with disabilities and their families. She remains a passionate advocate for special needs parents, ensuring that they receive the support and resources they deserve.
