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Fundraising: it's in the ask

Suzanne Lieberman

Updated: May 16, 2022

A client recently asked a very important question: what makes a good fundraiser? They had been “dabbling” in fundraising for years, without any clear direction or guidance. I hope my reply will also help you.


The most important element of fundraising is to have the right mindset. Many years ago, I worked for a non-profit organization run by a gentle soul, someone from the world of religious studies; someone who under normal circumstances could barely utter a sentence coherently.When it came to his non-profit organization he was a lion!


The reason for his success was because people saw the utter honesty and self-sacrifice in him. He knew exactly what he wanted and why. He would pound his fist on people’s desks; he would call them day in and day out until he saw their donations being processed. This was someone who for years didn’t take a dollar for himself. He knew how vital his work was - and he understood the urgency of his mission.


This approach certainly doesn’t suit everyone but it teaches us an important lesson: in order to fundraise for your cause, you need to be in the right frame of mind. You need to first believe in your organization and its work.


Once you have total belief in your product, you need the confidence to approach the right people to help you, because let’s be honest, most organizations need a few major donors. Very few non-profits are able to rely solely on successful crowdfunding campaigns where many donors give small donations, and those that do generally have huge social media followings.


So, how do you develop the confidence necessary to approach a potential major donor for a large value gift? My best advice is to be prepared… research, research and research!. Know as much as possible about the donor before you approach them: their business, their hobbies, their beliefs, their philanthropy, this helps develop an understanding of who they are and what makes them tick.


When you feel as though you have known the donor all your life and you are ready to engage with them, remember “it’s a privilege to help others be a part of this wonderful opportunity, to make the world a better place



Each organization has its own dynamic needs and my goal is to help your organization move to the next level and turn your vision into donations. You can contact me at suzanne@suzannelieberman.com; let’s start a conversation.

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Let's talk:

I have helped non-profits raise millions of dollars over the past 30 years. Providing personalized attention and expert advice through some of the most complex challenges, I will help you turn your vision into donations.

 

Get in touch with me today and let's start the conversation.

suzanne@suzannelieberman.com

Tel:+972 (54) 239 2574

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