Fundraising can be frustrating.
The high expectations could have been an exciting challenge for you, if you had felt more prepared to meet them. Sadly, most organizations rely heavily on individuals with minimal training to bring in the funds to make their mission a success. Not only is it a high pressure position, but maybe like many others, you feel like you are floundering because of a lack of strategy, training, and practical tools. Did you know that most fundraising volunteers and professionals only last two years in their position? It doesn’t have to feel this way!
You CAN…
- Feel confident in your role
- Have a proven, strategic blueprint to achieving your goals
- Use tools to measure your progress and success
- Acquire the donations you need through strong relationships that leave both of you feeling positive
- Have practical strategies for overcoming common problems in fundraising
- Set yourself up for success through genuine and personal connection
- Exceed your fundraising goals
Meet Patrick Belcher
“I’m Patrick Belcher. My passion for helping charities develop long-term fundraising strategies came while working for the American Red Cross. There, I not only exceeded my fundraising goals, but I also realized that the skills and understanding I had developed in sales translated into a genuine, relationship driven strategy that could help other charities, too. I now work as a consultant to charities and local affiliates of national groups like Adult & Teen Challenge. I have also worked at local addiction and recovery centers, arts organizations, and various educational groups.“
My core values and beliefs include:
- Relationships matter
- Being proactive begins with solid planning and strategy
- You must have clear overall and incremental goals
- Storytelling is our greatest marketing tool
- You have to ASK!
What a colleague says:
“An insightful and practical look at how to prepare, plan and practice for the art of fundraising! A must read book for individuals new to fundraising as well as seasoned professionals looking to remind themselves about the magic of fundraising! Fundraising Is: focuses on the idea that fundraising is all about story-telling, sharing impact and helping make the dreams of both donors and recipients come true!”
The book includes:
- Practical solutions to everyday challenges in fundraising
- Actionable resources that you can apply to your efforts
- The Toolbox at the end of each chapter summarizes key takeaways
- Each chapter can be used independently to guide your team in areas of need like relationship building event management, or storytelling …and so much more!
Available wherever books are sold
Fundraisers are often left to their own initiative to learn about an organization and its mission and figure out how to tell the story to supporters. In contrast, the average sales organization invests nine days of product information and training before they release their team member to sell. Home improvement stores give associates a week’s worth of training to ensure a customer buying carpets and doors have all the supplies and tools to complete their project.
With fundraising like with any profession, there is a need for training, development, exceptional communication skills and strategy. For those considering a position or already in nonprofits, this book can help you create a successful plan for fundraising today using relationships and storytelling more than galas and silent auctions.
Whether new to the profession or non-profit organization, Fundraising Is provides insight that sets fundraisers up for success. From creating a plan for the first three months at an organization, to prioritizing the best way to apply their efforts, these tactics can be applied whether working at a small local non-profit or the chapter of an international charity.