Is It Time For A Fundraising Change?

It's easy for groups to get stuck in a fundraising rut, especially when a fundraiser has consistently proven successful. There is danger in running the same fundraiser over and over, or in never making changes within the organization to improve fundraising. Over time, the same old same old breeds stagnation, disorganization, disinterest, and unrest – and fundraising profits begin to suffer.

Suffering fundraising profits are never a good thing, so it's important to look for the warning signs that might tell you it is time for something to change. Fundraising leaders (and members) should remain on the lookout for these red flags that might be signaling a problem with a fundraiser or organization.

Volunteer Interest Is Waning

This could be your number-one indicator that your fundraising profits will suffer, because without your volunteers and sellers, you won't have a means of reaching buyers. Your volunteers might be losing interest in your fundraiser if

No one participates in selling or running events
Committees can't be filled
Negative attitudes abound
There is dissention and back stabbing in the ranks
Meetings and fundraising events are poorly attended

Fundraising Goals Can't Be Met

If you can't reach the financial fundraising goals you've set, take it as a red flag that a change needs to be made, and look for a reason why. Some common reasons for not meeting fundraising goals include

Decline in sales (which can exist for a variety of reasons from lack of interest in product to lack of outreach to buyers)
Vendor participation is declining (as in at craft sales and hosted events; if you can't get sellers to come in, they probably think your event isn't profitable)
Public participation is non-existent (consumers find your event boring or just don't need what you are selling)
Goals are unrealistic (did you set too lofty a monetary goal?)
No one feels there is anything in it for them (either buyers or sellers – everyone needs a motive!)

Consumers Are Supportive, But Still No Cash Flow

This happens more often than you might think; the public is willing to give, and may actually be giving, but still you aren't turning a profit; this points to an organizational defect. It might be time for an internal change, rather than a change in fundraising tactics. If you are noticing any of the following, consider reassigning responsibility, or restructuring your group:

Organizational chaos exists (does anyone know who is doing what?)
Disorganization (there is no plan for who is doing what)
Cash is lost (product going out, product being sold, no money coming in)
Poor bookkeeping (the money could even be there, but you could never find it)

The reasons that fundraisers fail are varied and highly individualized to each organization. The only way to correct a problem, or better yet, prevent one, is to recognize the signals that are pointing towards fundraising failure, and correct the problems at the heart of the matter.

This is an article created by the FundraisingIP.com Editorial Team. For more fundraising ideas and fundraiser help, go to our article directory at FundraisingIP.com/articles.

If you'd like to reproduce this article for print or web, please refer to our Terms of Use.

fundraisingarticle

More Articles From - Home | Fundraising: A B Cs Of Fundraising | Dealing With Problems

Fundraisers
Fundraising Ideas
About Us
Add Your Company
Contact Us

E-mail Article

Popular Fundraisers:

Lollipops - suckers
FastTrackFundraising - variety
MagFundraising - magazines
Funding Factory - ink cartridges