A Note From a Reader:
“I will begin my new position as an ED in a non-profit next month and I would like to meet our sponsors and donors. We do not begin our campaign drive for another few months. What is the best approach to introduce myself to donors?
Would it be appropriate to call on them to give them an update on our programs and then follow up with a request for support down the road? I wouldn’t think it would be wise to visit with them simply to introduce myself, so I want to be sure to use the opportunity. Any advice is much appreciated as I am new to the ED role!”
My Response:
Meeting your leaders/donors/supporters is not just a good idea, it’s an essential.
Your best “reasons” for contacting them and asking to meet with them are to (1) introduce yourself, (2) indicate that (since you are new to the position) you’d like to get their observations/thoughts about the organization and;
(3) to help you understand the importance of the NPO to those individuals and why they support it.
Being new, you are in a perfect position to ask almost any question … about almost anything.
If you want to lay the groundwork for asking for money, remember: “If you want advice, ask for money. If you want money, ask for advice.” And, if you ask for advice, you’d better be prepared to take it !!
(When it comes to leadership and fundraising, some of the early postings in this blog address that issue.)
Also, fundraising/development is an ongoing/year-round process. It is not an activity that takes place in some limited/restricted timeframe. The concept/practice of a “campaign/drive” is counterproductive.
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Have a comment or a question about starting or expanding your fundraising program? Email me at AskHank@Major-Capital-Giving.com. With over 30 years of counseling in major gifts, capital campaigns, bequest programs and the planning studies to precede these three, we’ll likely be able to answer your questions.