6M7F: Request a transformational gift

What’s the true cost of NOT investing in professional fundraising, especially once it’s time to make the asks? Philanthropic Fundraising recently worked with an organization that, within six months, received $5M from government support and $1M from a private philanthropist. These are huge transformational gifts, but the organization ultimately decided they couldn’t afford ongoing investment in professional fundraising services. 

Like any professional service, your investment should match your desired ROI. Excellent professional fundraising should have a 10:1 return rate when undertaking a major effort like a capital campaign. For operations fundraising, the rate should be 3:1 after the first year or two of initial investment. Where else can you see that kind of financial return? When an organization thinks it can't afford to invest in professional fundraising long-term or doesn’t view it as a priority, fundraising goals can fall short by not considering the same ROI principles you would for any other investment. 

How much money could you be losing by not investing in fundraising? I’m most excited about the “Six Months to 7 Figures” program to share why professional fundraising is truly transformational – for your organization and those you serve. If you’d like to be part of this exciting pilot program, please send me a message on LinkedIn or an email at gudrun@philanthropicfundraising.com and include your interest in “Six Months to 7 Figures.”