From the course: Nonprofit Fundraising: A Beginner’s Guide

It's all about relationships

From the course: Nonprofit Fundraising: A Beginner’s Guide

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It's all about relationships

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- Did you know there are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States alone? With so many causes out there, donors need to feel a connection to your organization. Establishing and maintaining relationships with donors is the cornerstone of effective fundraising. A strong relationship with your donors will give you a competitive boost in the crowded nonprofit world. Relationships take time. But when it comes to building a donor base, you should focus on more than the cause. Because no matter how worthy a cause, cause don't sell themselves. Instead, you need to learn each donor's interest, and prioritize their needs as you cultivate a long-lasting, and mutually beneficial relationship. Prospective donors want to act on their values, and make a difference with financial contributions. Their donations are a conscious choice to start a relationship with your organization and with you, the fundraiser. Donors are relying on you to understand how and why their donations make a difference. As the fundraiser, you'll play many roles. Many of which take trust. In the fundraising process, you will guide donors in their decisions about who they're giving their money to. How much money they're donating, and when they will give. The quality of your relationship can be the deciding factor between a one-time donation and a lifelong donor. Nonprofits need relationship-building fundraisers to survive. Think about your top donor, and how you can grow that relationship. Are you meeting their needs? Is the relationship mutually beneficial? To be a successful fundraiser, you have to be thoughtful, and consistent when engaging with your donors.

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