FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.

Sharing the Good News of a Campaign on the Road to Success

Announcing the Success of a CampaignRecently, I was asked again what a non-profit organization should do about announcing that a fund-raising campaign is racing toward its goal at a record-setting pace. It’s a question asked more often than one might think.

If you’ve got a positive story to tell, especially one of community support, you tell it, right? The reality is that I have known many campaign leaders who have wanted to downplay their success during the campaign. Some have even wanted to under announce results. Why?

They believed that their organization would have difficulty maintaining a continuous flow of funds once they announced that 50% or 75% of the goal had been reached. Some have thought it necessary to project a crisis atmosphere in order to keep the “need” front and center.

Some have believed that people wouldn’t give unless the “wolf was at the door.” In reality, making donors and volunteers think a campaign is in crisis, can actually cause support to falter. We all know the expression, “Don’t throw good money after bad.” A campaign or an organization perceived to be on the road to failure is more likely to lose support and energy.

Others have feared that good news could slow or even halt donations. That people would think, “They don’t need my money?” What those campaign leaders didn’t appreciate is the fact that success breeds more success. The philanthropic spirit is infectious. If most of the people around you are giving, it’s hard not to make a contribution yourself. People want to support winning causes. Prospective donors have their intent strengthened by good news. Volunteers doing the asking are encouraged by it.

It has long been a common practice for organizations to publicize their ongoing fund-raising campaigns with “thermometers,” charts, newsletters, gift tables, where-we-are-to-date graphics, and press releases. There are good reasons to share good news and to show a steady march to success. People give when they believe their gift will have a positive impact. Those working on a campaign are energized by the successes their efforts produce.

So, what’s a non-profit to do about announcing the successes of a campaign during the campaign? I say tell the world about them. Let everyone know the good news when you have it. It’s just the encouragement your campaign volunteers and prospective donors need to finish strong.

Learn how FundRaise can help your campaigns succeed

Watch this 5 minute self-guided video software tour

 

3 Ways to Better Campaign Reporting
3 Ways Brilliant Fundraisers Use Their Donor Datab...

Related Posts

Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
giving history Tickles upgrade Excel annual maintenance plan data conversion Constant Contact membersip benefits product news passwords Cloud social media memorial giving motivation code operating systems overview donor source appeal donor retention rate GoFundMe project lapsed donor Company culture PayPal Congratulations entering auction gifts building donor relationships case study security understanding giving trends gift notes field community broadcasting upgrading donors increasing giving amounts mode code ticket sales membership programs Thanksgiving budget mailing updates announcements major donors data entry mission driven Facebook Reminders follow up donor retention ROI giving levels community supported gardens training role of nonprofits personalizing letters importing csv transparency donor engagement Reporting to IRS Alternative Addresses donor relations salutation spare fields donation history password protection custom page thank you letters customer portal flash sales auction National Change of Address disaster relief happiness pictures NCOA processing monthly giving FundRaiser Basic new nonprofit arts new leadership In-Kind gifts SYBUNTS motivation nonprofit fundraising donor advised funds general tribute gifts segmenting donors donor preferences new donors End of Year Letters board members FundRaiser Spark pledges community arts nonprofits GivingTuesday advanced tab Donor Portal planning tax summary letters moves management campaign grassroots campaign solicitors raffle tech tip recurring gifts gift acceptance policy merge notes user spotlights communications donor targeting donor prospects campaign management development director animal rescue customer service holiday letters relationship tracking Personalizing add ons planned giving Resiliency direct mail Thank You features charity golf tournaments legacy giving major gift prospects LYBUNTS alumni new features donor recognition small donations appeal letters New Year data analysis Crowdfunding Campaign operational costs change of address updating event management support email Volunteer module spreadsheets banquet fundraising letters Snow Birds letter templates donor attrition rate holiday accounting software in honor of donations Network for Good corporate sponsors Codes correspondance vacation gift entry grants anonymous donors fundraising #GivingTuesday prospects word processor donor profile Groupings annual campaign correspondence Task List volunteering welcome packet publicity materials the Ask on site training targeted mailings training tip foundations look and feel large donations donor slip repeat donors Importing Data phoning donors office capital campaign donor contact information merge fields donor loyalty brick campaign how to handle auction gifts FundRaiser Hosted adding personal notes to letters donor texting donors donor attrition online donations user interface premiums Facebook campaign how-to videos letter ticketsales technical support backing up data holiday giving volunteers membership benefits endowment campaign new version reports online donations government grants

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

User Name:
Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password