There's Strength (and Ethics) in Numbers!

Many of us belong to AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), an international group of 30,000 professionals in 200 chapters around the world. We can share ideas, learn new and best practices, and network for a modest fee. But we can also help our organizations and ourselves by associating with AFP's ethics program.

Their ethics documents, publications, and seminars enable us to be "more ethical" fundraisers. Some of the public don't think "ethics" and "fundraising" go together. AFP not only proves the two terms work together but also are essential for an organization's success in the marketplace today.

AFP's Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, the Donor Bill of Rights, The Accountable Nonprofit Organization, and the International Statement of Ethical Principles are strongly guidelines insuring best ethical practices for our organizations and our donors. Share these documents when relevant with your boards, staff, and donors. Print them on your documents and publish them on your website. Use them as the basis for staff and board workshops.

We have seen in the past that unethical organizational behaviors do harm to the entire sector, cause donors to become untrusting, and take a lot of effort and time to overcome...if ever.

My Board is Afraid of the Economy

Frequently development officers say to me, "My board wants to wait until the economy improves before starting a feasibility study or a campaign." I respond "When do they think that's going to happen? Tomorrow? Next month? 2010?"

How long will your organization sit idly by waiting for the magic bullet to appear? Meanwhile, other organizations are cultivating donors, getting their message out, and raising much-needed support.

Headline: "Paralysis Causes Backslide!" The organizations that were successful after 9/11 were those who strongly kept their donors engaged, trimmed excess expenses, and invested in the budget items needed to move forward at a crucial time. Relevant mission, dynamic vision, passionate board, and creative staff = SUCCESS. Don't wait for the economy to "improve"...You'll be waving to the train as it passes you by!

Board Members: The Crucial Element

Board members are crucial to the success of a nonprofit organization. They are the cheerleaders, the watchdogs, and the community connection. A campaign is not successful unless the Board leads the way with sacrificial gifts from 100 percent of the Board. They should lead with passion and their pocketbooks! When I conduct seminars, the most often complaint is the lack of interest (passion?) from board members. Many have served for years, lost interest, but do not want to disconnect totally.

New members should be recruited through an organized plan to share the mission, vision, and the expectations (including giving and attendance). Expectations should include 100 percent attendance, annual fund gift, major campaign support, and a planned gift. Lead by example.

We abuse our trustees way too much. Long boring meetings, weekend events, and precious time away from family find many board members slipping away and feeling guilty. Our job is to make their time on the board an exciting period in their life, a substantive social contribution, where they make a difference.

Strategic Planning is Really Fun!

I LOVE strategic planning as a process to clarify direction to an organization, provide clarity to staff on implementing mission and vision, and allow assessment of the board, the staff, and the overall organization. This does not have to be a complicated process with hundreds of goals and thousands of objectives stored in tabulated notebooks on a dusty shelf. A few simple goals, supported by a handfull of objectives and action steps (who, by when)...all measurable...and you have a roadmap for the future. Mission statement, vision statement, strategic plan, needs assessment, priorities, case statement...before long you are ready for a major gift campaign! Now all you need is a competent, ethical consultant!

Diversity of Revenue Sources Important

In the city in which I live, the United Way has just notified their agencies that, due to the decline in campaign results, all agency support will be cut by 50 percent. Suddenly the phone is ringing off the "wall." I have talked in seminars for months how important it is to diversify revenue sources...don't depend on one grant, one government agency, or just the United Way. Now some are understanding this logic in an up-close and personal way. The best fundraising prospects are still individuals. Of course, you can still diversify with federal and state grants, foundation support, merchandise sales, special events, and other activities, but the best bet over time is still individual support. Love your donors!