You might be the nicest, friendliest, most good-hearted fundraiser out there. You might have incredible, burning passion for your institution and the opportunities it provides for people.
At the end of the day, you’re still asking for money, though. Don’t get us wrong, that’s not a bad thing. But when it comes down to it, you’re asking people to part with their hard-earned cash.
Something we’ve learned over the years is that people, even the most philanthropic among us, tend to like their money.
So the question becomes, if they’re giving you a chunk of what they’ve earned, what is it you’re giving them?
Mike Troiano of G20 Ventures believes if you care about someone, you don’t ask for something without giving first. Which we think is great advice. If you want your alumni to provide value to your institution, you’ve got to provide value to them.
What to give? Don’t think of it as a daunting proposition. This is a chance to get creative and establish deeper connections with potential donors. What can you do as a fundraiser that will make a true difference or impression on their lives? How can you turn yourself from someone simply asking for a check into someone who impacts donors’ lives for the better?
It’s a big question, but one we think more people should be asking.