Fundraising- The 20 Biggest Fundraising Mistakes, Part II

Last week’s post contained a link to a Guidestar article discussing David Lansdowne’s first ten of the twenty biggest fundraising mistakes he wrote about in his book entitled “The Relentlessly Practical Guide to Raising Serious Money.”

Here are the next ten:

“11. Failing to Have a Strong Rationale

12. Failing to Cultivate Donors

13. Failing to Set a Realistic Goal

14. Failing to Train Solicitors Adequately

15. Failing to Thank Your Donors

16. Failing to Focus on Your Top Prospects First

17. Failing to Ask for a Specific Gift

18. Failing to Focus on the Best Sources and Methods

19. Failing to Find the Right Person to Ask

20. Failing to See Your Top Prospects in Person.”

The article concludes with the following observation:

“Harold Seymour, legendary fundraiser, puts it best: 'For clinking money, you can shake the can. For folding money, you should go ask for it. For checks and securities and gifts in pledges, you have to take some pains—make the appointment, perhaps take someone along, count on making two or more calls, and in general give the process enough time and loving care to let it grow and prosper.'"

The article also contains a discussion about each of the mistakes and how to avoid them. For access, just click on the title to this post.