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The #1 Question I Get Asked About Fundraising

Every Tuesday, I host a freaking fantastic, lively, no-judgment, Ask Me Anything session for nonprofit leaders.


We laugh, we vent, and most importantly, we tackle some big, hairy fundraising challenges together.


It’s a safe space to let loose, leverage the 20+ years of experience I have in the fundraising trenches, and crowdsource solutions that organizations might not have access to in their own offices.


We talk about cranky board members.


We talk about how to tell if that marketing intern is doing anything, because how could it take that long to edit a 14 second TikTok.


We talk about how to say “no thanks” to the donation of 400 Beanie Babies from an estate without sounding mean.


And without fail, every session, someone, in some way, brings up the same question:


“How do I find new donors?”


It’s the Holy Grail of fundraising queries.


Finding new donors is the dream, the drive, and sometimes, the dread.


But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be so hard or feel so daunting. Spoiler alert—the answer is actually simpler than you think.


Start with Your Inner Circle


Here’s the truth: the best place to find new donors is within your existing donor base. I know, I know—it sounds counterintuitive. But hear me out.


Your current supporters love you.


They’ve already said yes to your mission in the form of volunteering or writing a check. And people who are passionate about a cause tend to hang out with other like-minded people who would totally be passionate about the same cause.


Your job? Leverage those relationships like a boss.


  1. Ask for Referrals:


When was the last time you asked your most loyal donors if they’d introduce your organization to a friend, colleague, or family member?


And no, not just for money. Just for an introduction.


Relationships come first. Solicitations come second.


Often, your donors are just waiting for the opportunity to brag you up to their friends.


A simple ask like, “We’d love for you to invite a friend to our next event or share our mission with someone you think might adore this organization as much as you do,” can open doors.


  1. Happy Hour Anyone!?


Make it easy for your current donors to introduce their network to your organization.


Host a casual event where the price of admission is bringing someone new.


Keep it light, engaging, and mission-focused. Boom—you’ve got new prospects in the room.


Listen, it’s Monday. You’re already thinking about finding /hosting a Happy Hour by Thursday.


That sounds like a golden opportunity to trap your friends over a Coors Light to chat up your favorite organization.


Here’s the follow-up question I always hear after my “start with the ones who love you” spiel:



Fundraising feels overwhelming because, well, everything feels like a priority. But if finding new donors is critical, it needs to move to the top of your to-do list.


Hmmmmm…If only someone wrote a book about this exact question on how to carve out time to prioritize donor relationships….





;-)


Ok, if you don’t have time to read or listen to that amazing book - here are two time-saving suggestions that’ll help you focus on donor discovery without losing your mind:


Schedule a Power Hour


Block out a “Power Hour” each week where you do nothing but focus on finding new donors. Use that time to reach out to current supporters for referrals, research potential prospects, or send personalized invites to your next event.


Treat it like a doctor’s appointment—non-negotiable.


Ok, maybe an hour is too much.


Fair enough.


How about a power Half Hour?


Either way, the act of actually carving the time out is key.


If you have a tendency to get interrupted by colleagues during the day, a simple sign on your door (or taped to your back) that says “Please for the love of all that is Holy, give me 30 minutes of peace to make these calls…otherwise I’ll talk to you and not finish this list and then I’ll feel guilty about it all night”


That will work. Promise.


Also…


Remember, you don’t have to tackle donor discovery alone.


Get your board involved in sharing leads.


Tap into your staff and volunteers—they’re often connected to untapped networks.

 Collaboration multiplies your efforts and lightens the load.


The key is to have a system in place. Who are you targeting? What’s the follow-up plan?



Whether your burning question is how to attract new donors, motivate your board, or pull off your next big event, tomorrow’s session is your chance to get answers. Bring your toughest challenges, your wildest ideas, and your curiosity. Plus, we’ll have a few guest experts chiming in with insights on marketing, events, and board development.


Cheers gang!


-Patrick



 

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