Like many Americans, I’ve been inundated with news stories about the Big 3 automakers attempts to get a federal loan of billions of dollars. Yes, billions.
So I started wondering, what if the Big 3 were to teach nonprofits how to fundraise?
Some of the humorous answers included:
- Lose touch with your donor base: Ignore the fact that the market’s changing and just stick with what used to work decades ago.
- Don’t spend too much time figuring out strategy: When you’re asking for huge amounts of money, there’s no need to have a plan of action. A “you can trust us” approach is fine.
- Assume everyone’s going to fund you: After all, you are the center of your universe. Why shouldn’t you be the center of theirs too?
Admittedly, these were thought up with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek. But it’s scary how often we do the same thing.
- Many nonprofits just do the same old fundraising events and mailings because we always have without measuring their effectiveness. And we too often forget to explore new tools like Twitter or Facebook.
- Talk to many nonprofits and they can’t clearly articulated plan including:
- specifically how much money they want to raise
- what they’re doing to do with it, and
- by what date.
- Many nonprofits seem to forget that nobody owes them a gift. We need to earn the donor’s trust each time and be transparent about how we report back.
Those were my ideas for fundraising like the Big 3. This morning, I sent out a message on Twitter just to see what others would say. Some responses were:
TerraScene what a dismal business model 🙁
TerraScene arguably a big payoff in the shortrun – but no soul. no accountability. no long term vision for the greater good. yikes!
@rogercarr Fundraising like the Big 3? Volunteers (and development staff) might be members of the Union of Nonprofit Fundraisers.
You mean mess up royally, abandon your donors, and then ask for help?
@forimpact re: big 3. I think most nonprofits DO fundraise like them ‘bail us out’. And therein lies the rub… 😉
How about you? What do you think it would look like if nonprofits fundraised like the Big 3?
Use the comments to let us know. And, please, feel free to be humorous.
Successful fundraising is based on relationships. The Big 3 seemed to miss this fact when they made their initial “ask” for a bailout from the government. They should have read your book before the plane trip to DC!
I tend to agree with the final tweet comment you shared, above – too often, the “pitch” is all about how “we can’t go on without your $$ to help us keep going” – which only begs the question, in my mind, if you can’t operate your business/ organization within your means, why would I even THINK of giving you money?
But that’s not very funny…. 😛
Who are you kidding? The Big-3 *ARE* acting like non-profit fundraisers.
Since the costs are being shifted to my unborn grandchildren, and I’ll be long-dead once the bill is paid, how is this any different than Planned Giving?
😉
Ike, Ike, Ike,
In good planned giving, your kids wouldn’t pay the costs! They’d be taken care of before the nonprofit got a gift. 🙂
Just referring to the notion that the bill is paid after I die. :p
The sad thing is that non-profits have been operating like this for decades, economic crisis or not. Second to this atrocity, a majority of non-profits have no idea how to use technology and social media to their advantage. This is a market that is in desperate need of coaching! Social media is an incredible medium for connecting with non-profits’ constituents and showing their donors how they are fulfilling their missions.
Thanks for letting me have a “teaching moment” about planned giving. 😉
Angelica: You’re preaching to the choir here! 🙂
Marc:
This has been my problem for years with the “run like a business” mantra. Which business exactly do they want us to emulate? I used to ask, “Enron?” Now I can ask – well – pick one!
I’ve always said I wish businesses would run more like the best of what we see in Community Benefit Organizations – a dedication to clients / program participants, a connection to what matters most – now there?s a business model aimed at success!
On a very different note, thanks for being spot on in your comments in the Chronicle discussion on Tuesday. As the lone guest, trying to answer as many questions as possible in a very short amount of time, I smiled to see you there!
HG
Great Thread! When money is readily available as it has been over the last 15 years businesses get jaded and think that it will never end.
If the Big 3 had to fight and scratch for their revenues like non profits do, they may have done a better job of planning and could have been in a better position to weather this storm. As it stands the Big 3 will in fact be non-profits benefiting the UAW, at least for the foreseeable future.
I’m not sure how I would raise money if I was the Big 3, but I know one thing for sure – I’d be showing up for the ‘ask’ in my foundation-funded private jet.
Steve, by the way, I’ve been meaning to ask if I could borrow that jet for an ask I’m doing next week? 🙂