I help major gift fundraisers build the skills, strategies and systems your nonprofit needs to hit your ambitious campaign goals
Fundraisers: how is your success measured? Hitting an annual revenue target is considered an important metric - but here’s how this can turn into a problem when it comes to major gifts: Organizations cannot thrive and grow over the longterm when single-mindedly pursuing one fundraising goal. When nonprofits are overfocused on the bottom line – this can lead to short-term thinking at every level. Because what gets measured gets done. Even if there are consequences - like burning through our donor relationships - to achieve it. What do you think - is an over emphasis on certain goals, like your annual revenue target, actually holding you back? And what do we need to measure instead that drives more strategic, sustainable growth? Some food for thought. Now I want to hear from you - is an over emphasis on certain goals holding you back? And what do we need to measure instead that drives more strategic, sustainable growth? P.S. If raising more major gifts is one of your big goals for 2024, don’t miss out on my free guide, Fill Your Fundraising Pipeline. Download it here: https://lnkd.in/gc8cc2Zm #fundraising #majorgifts #nonprofit #philanthropy
I've changed my approach to goal setting each fiscal and across each role in my career. I've developed a philosophy of creating goals with the intention of changing how I work and how I want my team to work, because you're right - what gets measured gets done. I also don't see much use in measuring the things we're going to do every day anyways, and instead I like to focus on setting metrics that shift our time/energy/focus from one fiscal to the next. Instead of tracking - or just tracking - revenue, I like to set metrics for where that revenue comes from and where it goes. I also like to look at non-money goals like staff participation in various initiatives or levels of social media engagement so that I can be sure we spread our energy out, instead of putting all of our care and attention into a few baskets.
It's all about finding a middle ground. Focusing on your future goals while also focusing on the present moment tasks.
When we become to fixated on specific goals we can sometimes miss opportunities! Good stuff Emma Lewzey!
Great point! Revenue is crucial, but perhaps a balanced scorecard approach that considers long-term donor cultivation alongside short-term goals.
Hi Emma kindly request you can you be a donor in our organization
Absolutely agree! Giving timely, honest feedback might feel tough at first, but it’s truly one of the kindest things we can do for our teams.
Very informative, Emma. Thank you for sharing this.
Owner @ Brazen Fundraising | Coaching on Solicitation
7moI completely support the idea of having a mix of goals and think focusing on effort instead of outcomes is the best way to achieve your financial goals. But… I once had an employer that required me to do 150 face to face meetings a year no exceptions (and phone calls didn’t count). My whole life became about finding those meetings. I’d meet for any reason - your birthday, Christmas, the new year… didn’t matter. It sucked. For me and the donors. And Guess what? Money did not come pouring in. 🙄🤷🏼♀️😂