Minimal Effort for Maximum Fundraising Impact

Key Takeaways:

• Defining Fundraising Efficiency:

  • Effort: Time invested in fundraising activities.

  • Impact: Revenue generated to achieve organizational goals.

• High-Return Fundraising Strategies:

  • Major Gifts: Asking for larger donations ($50k+) provides significantly higher returns with similar effort compared to smaller asks.

  • Recognition and Stewardship: Retaining donors is 5-7x more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Use stewardship calendars to maintain relationships and aim for an 80%+ donor retention rate for gifts over $250.

  • Planned Giving: Capitalize on estate gifts, which are often 100x larger than average cash contributions, by cultivating long-term relationships.

• Optimizing Fundraising Time:

  • Prioritize time on major gifts, stewardship, and planned giving.

  • Conduct regular assessments to identify low-value activities and reallocate efforts toward top revenue drivers.

• Practical Tips for Implementation:

  • Build a structured approach for prospect research, outreach, and donor engagement.

  • Streamline event planning, grant writing, and administrative tasks to focus on high-impact fundraising activities.

  • Invest in training to enhance skills and stay updated on fundraising trends.