Folly #66: Free Stuff
Like discount airlines, let's make it affordable and easy to get there.
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On to other free fundraising stuff…
Fundraising Fears
In my staff development roles I’ve worked with donors to some really big nonprofits, organizations that have lots of staffing and internal resources. But as a consultant, I’ve stepped into some really interesting fundraising roles for smaller nonprofits, and they all share one thing.
Fear about raising enough money is real for nearly every small nonprofit.
The starvation cycle that small nonprofits face must end. And you and I can do something about that:
Give free fundraising stuff to nonprofits.
I’m not talking about in-kind donations of your excess or unwanted stuff. (Unless the nonprofit told you they need that item, please don’t give it. It just makes more work for the organization and rarely helps fund their annual budget.)
No, I’m not talking about that.
I’m talking about giving your talent, tips and tricks that you know can help raise more money. You’re an expert in this work. What can you share?
Can fundraising be like budget travel?
Let’s face it. It’s more fun to go places with a sense of humor. I remember the Southwest pilot who asked people to stay out of the aisle so he could see his rear view mirror as we got ready to back away from the gate.
Southwest Airlines shares my values. Make it fun, easy, flexible, and affordable to get from here to there. And don’t take yourself too seriously. (That part definitely applies to fundraising.)
Here are a few ideas…
Free fundraising technical assistance [aka stuff]
Y’all know that I’m a fundraiser with some strong opinions, and one is supporting small nonprofits – the ones where other consultants feel they “can’t make enough money.” (Ironic.) And my fundraising work that is modestly paid has taught me so much about which tools can help small organizations. They’re often simple things. (Budgets is a big one.) So I create templates to use in my fundraising work and share them online at communitygrantwriters.us/templates – many for free, others for $10-25.
Below are a few favorites. What are yours?
Free online fundraising templates to create a master proposal, budget template, program case statement (or, as I call it, a program 2-pager) for a nonprofit.
Free funder research:
Free tools that make life easier for fundraisers (and other people):
Do I charge for some of this stuff? Sometimes. But I’ve honestly stopped worrying about that. I find myself thinking a lot about how to leverage resources I have and get them to others for free or at a discount.
What can you give away?