A person with the skills and experience to carry out fundraising projects is a valuable asset to any organization such as charities, non-government organizations, community-based organizations, and all non-profits. In fact, a fundraiser is valued even in profit-based organizations.
The ability to obtain funds is crucial to strengthening the condition of any non-profit and hence people with such skills are sought after and respected. Of course, it has to be very clearly understood that fundraising for charity purpose has to at all times comply with the legal and ethical laws that govern society. Trust is a major factor for donors who can serve as life-long patrons of causes that they take to their heart.
The trust that a fundraiser fosters in potential donors has to first be ingrained in his own mind. This is the basic requirement; it is followed by marketing and sales skills. Yes, there is no disconnect between these two. A good marketer has it in him to be a very good fundraiser and vice-versa. Of course, there are no volunteer marketers. You do get volunteer fundraisers. This, in fact serves as valuable experience which can stand volunteers in good stead in their professional careers.
Since fair dealing and honesty are core principles for fundraising, it follows that acknowledgment of a donation be implemented. It is a powerful technique by which fundraisers can maintain accounts and assure donors that their funds are being used for the purpose mentioned. It serves another purpose, that of making the donor feel valued and appreciated. An acknowledgment and a simple “Thank You” can work wonders in keeping a charity well-funded. Appreciation is key. People do not donate for personal material gain; it is more about feeling good and earning appreciation. This underlying desire manifests in all donors whether institutional or individual.
To keep the donors interested and involved you have to keep telling them about what you have achieved with the money they so generously gave to your cause. This means issuing regular progress reports; you need a competent report writer on board. Remember, you can hope to get funds consistently only if you have the results to show for it. The idea is of accountability. It is tied in to the basic concept of integrity that is central to all fundraising activities – essentially all charity work has to be done in an impeccable above-board manner. Accuracy, complete reporting, and accountability of funds and actions have to be there. The reports have to be available to any member of the public at any time.
