Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

May 1, 2007

While most will agree that fundraising is largely about money and the many great things your organization can do with that money, when you drill down through the process of fundraising, you realize that your organization achieves much more from its fundraising efforts than the sum of the net dollar results.

Recently I was involved with a fundraising event in a major metropolitan area. By using its current constituency, the organization was able to engage the elite philanthropic community of the city. As they began to focus on various sources of gifts, they had the opportunity to discuss the organization with every major corporation in the area; speak with local and national government representatives; and engage local media for coverage of the event. Each of these avenues led to spreading the organization's message throughout the community.

Because of the multiple moving parts of the event, every member of the staff and their skills were used to make it successful. With one fundraising effort the organization was able to:

1. Raise the public awareness of the organization
2. Engage hundreds of new donors
3. Re-engage and energize the core of its own community
4. Invigorate the entire staff

The event, though short lived, reaped benefits that far surpassed the activities of that one evening.

With each campaign, annual fund drive, special event or other fundraising opportunity, you have the chance to raise much more than just dollars, and those benefits will exist long past when the last dollars raised have been spent.

- Bradley W. Manuel, MBA, Vice President (Raleigh) bmanuel@hartsookcompanies.com

Another Smart Idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"One person's dime is another person's dollar. Treat each and every donor to your cause with the utmost respect. Doing so will undoubtedly come back to you, tenfold." - Anonymous

If you are interested in Best Practices and smart ideas, see these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "Fundraising Magic - 33.5 Strategies for Turning Board Members into Money Makers" by Robert G. Swanson (2007, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). This book shares proven strategies you can implement immediately to give Board members the confidence and tools needed to cultivate donors, solicit gifts and strengthen your organization's position in the community. To order this book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.

• "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union.

• "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas.

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com.

Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.