Can you think of a more-high stakes fall fundraising season than the one we face this year? After two years of COVID, I can hardly believe I am writing that, but at least during the pandemic nonprofits had government PPP funds and a roaring stock market. By comparison, nonprofits are facing rising inflation, a falling stock market and the likelihood of a recession. And COVID is still with us!
You can't understate the importance of the last quarter of the year for nonprofits. November's Giving Tuesday grows each year and December represents more than 30% of overall nonprofit revenue. How will that play out if donors decide to cut back on their giving, a perfectly understandable thing for them to do given the economic storm we find ourselves navigating?
That is not to say that nonprofits face a crisis, but, as Author Stephen King wrote, “there's no harm in hoping for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst.”
So, how should nonprofits prepare?
Don't Wait Until It's Raining To Fix The Roof. You should always be proactive, not reactive, in your fundraising. The current economy makes that even more important. It is not too late to map out the fall schedule, clean up your database or start the regular donor communications that lead up to asking for donations. But by September, things always get busy and planning tends to take a back seat.
Take Advantage of The Summer. The donors are in Aspen. There are no events. No one is answering their phone. Hopefully, you are getting a chance to catch your breath. Use this time to prepare for the Fall.
Let StoryBoard HTX Help! Our services are geared to give you as little or as much help as you need to prepare for the Fall season.
Board training on fundraising
Donor communications workshops and planning
Fall campaign assistance with content writing, planning and execution
Assistance with donor strategy
Email campaigns building up to December end-of-year communications
Let's Talk. Let's schedule a short call to talk about your goals and needs as we enter this all-important Fall fundraising season.
One last quote, this one from Maya Angelou: “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.”
