Strategic fundraising. Cashing in on what your organization does best.

In the past couple of posts (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this three part series), we’ve asked you to take a giant leap. A leap that may result in losing donors or losing contributed revenue. The unthinkable. We’ve recommended this to organizations with which we’ve worked. We’ve done it ourselves.

And it works.

The concept we’re discussing is strategic fundraising, or the concept of honing in on what your organization does best, figuring out how to do what it does best in support of the organization’s overall vision, and getting rid of the rest. It could result in initial losses—of long-time donors and of long-time events, but also in long-time beliefs about what works in fundraising. All of which leads to more successful fundraising. We’ve told you about this concept of killing sacred cows, how to do it, and now we want to share the results you can expect.

But the reasons to consider this shift to strategic fundraising far outweigh the possible hurdles in cutting your sacred cows. Take the leap and experience the following:

• Free up your time and talent resources. Consider what your staff could be doing instead. For example, would eliminating an event provide more time to focus on major donors? Would eliminating time-intensive grantwriting and reporting enable more time to focus on unrestricted money from elsewhere?
• Allow your organization to work toward its most important priorities within the mission. With more time and talent to direct, you can “double down” on more of the work you do best.
• Energize your team of staff, board and volunteers. Eliminating less effective work makes room for new work, inspiring creativity and a renewed focus on what matters and what can be done to meet the mission.
• Leave you with only the most-connected pool of major donors. Those with whom you work to develop programs, consequently deepening their connection with your organization beyond a financial  transaction.
• Result in the best return on investment (ROI) work in fundraising.

In conclusion to this strategic fundraising series, we hope to see you at JVA’s Development Intensive (DI). In preparation for this training, or just as you think through your financing plans independently, please do consider the following:

1. What fundraising methods or activities do I need to evaluate right away?
2. How will I transfer the donors to another method or activity (if necessary)?
3. What can I do to infuse this concept of strategic fundraising and build the culture of fundraising in my organization?

NOTE: This blog was originally published in 2016 and is Part 3 of a three-part series (see Part 1 and Part 2) authored by former JVA team member Christy Bergman.