Having a goal and a plan for every donor keeps you focused and accountable; and this will, more than likely, lead you to be successful.
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The 4th quarter of the year is a busy time for fund-raisers. Here’s what I did as an MGO many years ago to stay focused on achieving my goals.
Major gift outsiders can’t seem to get it: sometimes giving from a donor goes down. But we should continue to walk with them in the down times.
Once an MGO starts realizing that structure is there to work for them, and that they still have the freedom to do their work… they get very happy. And so are their donors… and then they see success. It’s beautiful.
It is far easier to just “go for the money” and be done with it. But that is a short cut you do not want to take, because you will eventually lose the donor if you treat them that way. Your donor should be your partner.
In our work with major gift officers, we have uncovered six “secrets” to what makes them so unique. These “secrets” are unconventional and sometimes counter‐intuitive, yet they are key if YOU want to be extraordinary at this work.
Your life as a major gift officer and your relationship with your donors is not a straight line. It will bend and weave.
You are now at the halfway point of the year, and you should have a pretty good idea if you are on track to meet or exceed your donor giving goals.
Make 2015 the year of relationship fundraising with your caseload donors. Remind yourself to work in all six of these areas listed here – it will help you and your donor – and you will reach the financial goals you have set for this year.
Management and accountability systems and processes should be a kind, honest, direct way of helping a person meet expectations – their own expectations, and the expectations of the group.
