10 things fundraisers should be doing NOW

From The Agitator, a detailed and transformational list of things nonprofits should be doing in these hard times: DON’T EAT THE SEED CORN: A Checklist for Fundraisers in Tough Times.

1. Do Not Cut Acquisition or Retention Spending. Chances are, someone in your organization will want to make these cuts! It looks painless. But it will strangle your future — both the immediate and long-term. You may never recover from these cuts.
2. Patch the Leaky Bucket. Improving donor retention is the smartest and lowest-cost way to improve revenue.
3. Reevaluate and Reassert Your Case for Support. What makes your mission important — now more than ever? Donors want to make a difference, and they want to do relevant and timely things. Make sure your fundraising motivates them now.
4. Cut Costs with a Scalpel, Not an Axe. If you must cut, cut things that don’t grow revenue.
5. Mine Your Database. Your best donors and your future stability are on you database already. Look closely at your core donors. Pay attention to lapsed donors and recently upgrading donors.
6. Lead Your Board to Water—and Get Them to Drink. Make sure your board understands the situation. Many are going to want to make cuts to acquisition and growth areas. Also, ask them to give!
7. Stay Visible and Keep Asking. Some of your donors may choose to give less, or even stop giving. Don’t make the decision for all of your donors by going silent on them.
8. Segment Smarter. Knowing which donors are most likely to give and contacting them is half of being smart. The other half is knowing which ones are least likely to give and not contacting them as much.
9. Try Something Different — But Not Everything New. Innovation is important. It’s also more risky. Try new things, but also be careful.
10. Farm for the Future. Fundraisers are playing a long game. We need donations now, but we also will need them in the future. Think about it that way, and you’ll make better decisions.