These best practices are woven throughout the materials we've created, providing a comprehensive approach to planning and executing successful nonprofit fundraising campaigns. The forms, templates, and planner all work together to help fundraisers stay organized, focused, and effective in their efforts.
The content emphasizes the importance of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). The 3-week campaign planner includes sections for defining your fundraising goal and breaking it down into specific actions with responsible parties and due dates. This helps keep the campaign focused and measurable.
Our sample "Ask Letter" provided demonstrates how to craft a compelling message. It emphasizes telling the story of why the fundraising is important, how it benefits the community, and what specific impact it will have. The letter template guides fundraisers to connect with prospects personally and clearly explain the purpose and benefits of the campaign.
The guide includes a "Fundraising Contacts Master List" and "New Prospective Donor Form" to help organize and target potential donors. It encourages creating a list of "suspects" - those likely to support the event - and gathering detailed contact information for each prospect.
The section details how to use a combination of phone calls (with a provided script for "Permission Calls") and follow-up emails (with the detailed "Ask Letter"). It also mentions recognizing donors through radio and newspaper ads, showing the importance of using multiple channels for outreach and acknowledgment.
The sample "Ask Letter" provides clear instructions on how to donate, including where to send checks and offering to have someone pick up the donation if needed. It also offers multiple sponsorship levels to fit different budgets, making it easier for donors to participate at a comfortable level.
This section emphasizes thanking donors promptly and recognizing their support publicly. The sample letter mentions that sponsors will be recognized in radio and newspaper ads, which can motivate donors by offering public acknowledgment of their generosity.
The 3-week campaign planner includes sections for weekly progress checkpoints and reflection. It encourages tracking what has been accomplished, identifying obstacles, and making necessary changes to stay on track. The final reflection section prompts fundraisers to analyze what worked, what didn't, and what they learned for future campaigns.
Here's why it's easy for nonprofits to get free publicity from local media.