3 Things to Stay Focused on Major Gifts Fundraising in Q4
There are always so many things, usually internal to our organisations, pulling our attention away from what we need to do to raise major gifts.
In my experience, you need to block out non-negotiable time to review prospect and donor lists, do the thinking required to plan activities ahead of time, and make your calls.
To get you thinking about how to prioritise from the many things that will be on your plate this month, I’ve shared some questions and ideas to keep your focus on the actions that will make the difference.
1. What are your key objectives for Q4?
- Do you have them written down and do you look at them daily/weekly?
- Do you need to have a conversation about elements that might need amending?
- What are the 1-3 most important ones that will make a difference to your key donor relationships and your income targets?
- Can you focus on just one objective that will really move the needle to line you up for success!
2. Look at your data and then get on the phone!
- Have you reviewed lists of previous donors – going back 3 years is good if you have it.
- Are there any donors who have previously given larger gifts in Q4 and do you know why?
- Have you been in touch with them? If not, now is the time!
- Consider having a conversation with them about how and when they like to give, so in future you contact them when they want to hear from you.
- Is there anyone that you’ve been meaning to contact but keep putting it off?
Go on, pick up the phone this week. You can do it – just block out a time in your calendar and stick to it. You can ask them to meet, invite them to an event, or just thank them for their donations and tell them what impact they’ve achieved.
3. Are you prioritising your donors?
- Who’s on your top 10 list? You really need to keep these donors top of mind.
- What’s something interesting that you could send ahead of all the holiday related information? A brief note or story that is mission or impact related is ideal.
- Have you got an outline plan for October to December of the key calls, comms, events, and asks with your top 10…or more if you have time?
- Resist the urge to invite people to everything going on in Q4, rather select the things that will appeal most to each donor.
There are always more things you can be doing, and more things on the list than you will ever be able to do!
So, choose the few that are going to get you closer to achieving your goals and objectives and focus on getting those ones done.
If you would like to know more about major gift fundraising in Q4, email me on jane@philanthropytogether.co.uk or call on +44 (0) 7927 145572.
