What’s it like to be a donor to your organization? You might be surprised. What you believe is happening could be a long way from what’s actually happening. Try doing some of these things:
- Call your published phone number and see what happens when you ask for help or information. Especially outside of office hours.
- Send an email to your donor services department. See how long it takes to get a human response.
- See how long it takes to figure out how to donate on your web site.
- Donate to your organization and see how long it takes to be thanked.
- Try to find your organization by Googling words related to your cause. Are you discoverable by someone who cares about your cause but doesn’t know your name?
- Read your direct mail or other marketing. Does it make sense without the knowledge you have built by working there? Are those convenient terms insider jargon? Is it human, or formulaic?
This is a reality check everyone in fundraising should do regularly.
Jeff Brooks has been serving the nonprofit community for more than 35 years and blogging about it since 2005. He considers fundraising the most noble of pursuits and hopes you’ll join him in that opinion. You can reach him at jeff [at] jeff-brooks [dot] com.
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