Fundraising in times of economic turmoil

In times of economic turmoil, nonprofits are not spared the recession. As funding becomes less reliable, nonprofits try to maintain their current funding level on an ever tightening budget. No easy feat! Unfortunately as so often happens, programs are scaled back and the social benefit of the organizations drop.

Nonprofits that successfully fundraise on a tight budget can keep their programs running at top speed.

How do they do it?

Create a new fundraising event? Expensive, and risky.
Apply for government grants? Not if you need the money fast.
Reach out to new foundations? Maybe, but they are also feeling the economic downturn too.

The key to successful fundraising on a tight budget is to focus on donations from individuals.

Grow your base of donors! Collectively, contributions across a larger donor base can make up for each person’s generally smaller donation (it is an economic downturn after all). In addition, these new donors are likely to refer other donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations giving you new opportunities to make up for funding lost from other sources.

Next up: Successful fundraising on a tight budget

Brian Pickett helps nonprofit organizations leverage technology to expand their donor base using Strategic CRM Solutions. Houston, TX based for more information visit www.PickettCRM.com.