Now Is Not The Best Time

With the economic downturn constantly in the news, many organizations find themselves wondering whether they will meet fundraising goals for this year. Too often during these stressful times, decisions are made that are not in the best interest of your clients or consumers. Rather than putting in place a strategic plan of action, corners are cut.

Development Staff
Every day organizations across the country are cutting their development staff ... at a time when fundraising is critical. Of course, cutting individuals who are not performing, regardless of their role in your organization, is the right thing to do. But if a staff member has a good grasp on all aspects of fundraising, yet is still falling short of their goals, might a simple incentive plan be smarter? Now is not the best time to decrease your development staff.

Lights Out!
How many organizations are sending the "Lights Out" mailing, telling those who believe in you the most that you will have to turn the lights out if you don't get money ... and fast! If you send this letter, you've just told your donors you don't have a plan and are giving up. Why would they send you anything? Now is not the time to send this mailing.

Gloom and Doom
How many of you are giving this speech every time you talk to the Board, donors, or even strangers in the grocery line? If you don't believe in your organization, why should anyone else? Those organizations that stay the course and continue identifying, cultivating, soliciting and showing appreciation to donors will come out of this recession stronger. Now is not the time to talk of gloom and doom.

If you decrease your staff, send the "lights out" letter, or talk nothing but gloom and doom, how will you get your donors to jump back on your bandwagon when the economy gets better? They may leave you for an organization they perceive to be more stable, forward-looking, and worthy ... while they tell you, "Now is not the best time!"

-Susan Schneweis, Executive Vice President (Kansas City) susan@hartsookcompanies.com

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

"Establish a year-round nominating committee with several socials to cultivate new and committee board members. We have found that in the last few years, the quality of Board members has increased significantly." – Gvido L. Burgis, Vice President, V.N.S. Healthcare System (Indianapolis, Ind.)

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

On the Money! by Bob Hartsook, JD, EdD, Chairman and CEO of Hartsook Companies, Inc., is an enlightening collection of success stories and lessons learned from 25 nonprofit fundraising campaigns nationwide. An early review called On the Money! ". . . a celebration of well-earned victories, smart thinking and ideas that make sense." For more information, or to order a copy, visit the Hartsook store.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row! . . . Proven Strategies for Exceeding Your Capital, Endowment and Operating Campaign Goals. No development officer should be without this book. Bob Hartsook's guide brings together outstanding authors and sources providing a tool box of strategies for effective campaign fundraising. Each page is filled with ideas, concepts, plans, strategies, approaches and suggestions that result in success. For more information, or to order a copy, visit the Hartsook store.
"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" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection", please email Cathy Rutz, cathy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Shelly Chinberg, shelly@hartsookcompanies.com.

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. Send to Strategies for Success and eHartsook Editor Karin Cox, MFA, Executive Vice President (Wilmington, NC), kcox@hartsookcompanies.com. 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.