At my presentation to the Association of Fundraising Professionals chapter, the audience asked some excellent questions. Here is one and my answer. It will be beneficial to you when you encounter high fundraising expectations.
First, take the “you” out of it. Focus instead on the origin of the goal. Rarely will the goal’s history include a thoughtful analysis of giving patterns, considerations of the marketplace, and other investments such as PR, marketing, and development. If you discover this kind of history, you may find that the goal isn’t a blue sky, after all. The target often stems from the funds needed to close a budget deficit, the funds raised by another envied nonprofit, or the development staff’s salary multiplied by ten. In this case, move on to teach.
Ask: How was that goal determined?
Compared to your board, you are a fundraising expert. Ask questions to help other leaders better understand how to develop realistic income and fundraising goals that everyone can enthusiastically support. Their answers will help them understand that blue-sky number goals don’t serve the nonprofit and that better options exist.
Ask: How does the goal compare to what was raised last year? What percent of growth does it represent? Has the organization ever achieved this kind of growth?
Offer to help the nonprofit to set realistic-stretch goals. If they accept the offer, establish a small group to meet once. Your objective will be to educate them about setting income goals and creating budgets. Before the meeting, develop a process to establish a range that you can use every year. Once you meet and establish a realistic goal, share how the group reached it with others, such as the CEO and board of directors.*
Ask: Would you be interested in having outside help to determine realistic revenue forecasts?
*At yearend, evaluate your success, tweak the process, and set a new goal.
5 Ways to Turn Off Your Nonprofit Board Members
Guilty As Charged: Prove Your Board Supports Your Organization
How to Help Your Board to Take Smart Risks
Create the Board of Your Dreams
Karen is available for a mini-consult or more. Need more help? Click here to email or here to set a time to chat.
Before founding her firm, Karen Eber Davis developed the Sarasota County Community Development Block Grant Program. Under her leadership, this infant program received the National Association of Counties National Affordable Housing Award for the Down Payment Assistance Program. To date, the program helped over 1,800 families realize their dreams of homeownership. She also worked with the City of Ft. Lauderdale and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, where she developed the division’s first audit program. In an earlier position at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tampa, she organized senior, youth, and children groups plus family activities. Her youth staffing work with the Florida Synod of the Lutheran Church in America supported youth ministries in 120 congregations in Florida.
Get free practical nonprofit tools, innovative insights, and valuable opportunities just for nonprofit CEOs in your inbox. Sign up today to receive your copy of “Top 5 Resources for Nonprofit Board Recruitment.”