Have you been saying to yourself all week, “I can’t believe it is November already?” The fall is getting away from us and soon we’ll be in the midst of winter holidays. But before that happens you have something really important to do – Raise More Money! If your major gifts fundraising has been on your back burner, now is the time to move it to the front. If you’re not already boiling on high, turn up the heat!
First, be sure to contact any existing major donors and visit them before year end:
• Look at your 2014 donors for anyone who hasn’t given yet this year. Contact them! Now! Remember a face-to-face visit is the best way to get a major gift.
• Then look at your 2012 and 2013 major donor lists. Which of those folks haven’t given? Remember people give to you because you ask. So ask!
Then identify potential new major donors:
• Engage your Board and staff – whom do they know that you should be asking? Ask everyone you know to “bring-a-donor” to your organization.
• Figure out which of your smaller donors have the potential to give more. Assess their potential by using a tool like WealthEngine. Contact annie@trec.org to see how you can participate in TREC’s cost-sharing program which makes this great tool affordable even for small groups.
Let’s all agree to make more asks in November. Remember to celebrate asks, not just yeses, because asking is what works!
Best,
Megan Seibel
TREC Executive Director