Evaluating Your Fundraising

Learn How to Fix Common Fundraising Problems and Make the Most of Your Time and Effort

Think before you answer this provocative question: Is your fundraising bucket leaking?

If there is one thing I’ve seen far too often in my decades as a fundraising practitioner and consultant, it’s that too many programs are falling short of their potential – by far.

It’s not that an organization’s staff members aren’t working very hard. It’s that their efforts could be far more effective.

The metaphor “leaky bucket” simply means that one or more aspects of a fundraising program are not managed optimally. And that results in diminished support for the organization.

Sometimes just a minor adjustment or tweak will plug a leak. Sometimes a revamp is called for. Either way, revenue increases. Sometimes dramatically.

So, how can you ensure your fundraising program is watertight?

Let me help you. In this course, we’ll look at nine critical aspects of managing the fundraising process, what too many nonprofits are doing wrong (including, maybe, yours), and how you can get back on track.

We’ll start with the Leaky Bucket Assessment Tool, which will reveal the leaks.

Then, we’ll cover how to fix them.

If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. So we’ll talk about fundraising infrastructure metrics. You’ll see what you can measure versus what you should measure, and why.

We’ll start plugging those leaks in your bucket, starting with acquiring new donors. I’ll teach you the methods to attract new donors and how to think about the costs of doing so versus taking existing donors to the next level.

You will learn about staffing the development function and the roles of the development staff, nondevelopment staff, board, and volunteers. I will also show you how to diversify your revenue streams so that you are not dependent on one form of fundraising.

You will learn about the laws and ethical standards that are important in fundraising. I’ll tell you what you need to know about federal, state, and local regulations as well as ethical standards of conduct.

Most importantly, I’ll show you how to develop a plan that will fix your organization’s leaks so that it can move ahead, maximize its efforts, and realize more support.