I hear many fundraisers and nonprofit leaders worrying that it’s somehow bad or unethical to raise money during a recession. In this episode, I want to talk about that mindset, how it became so prevalent, whether it’s accurate, and what to do about it. 

I started my fundraising career during the great recession. I was working with a community center and I couldn’t justify not fundraising, because the people we served were the most vulnerable. Their needs were the most dire. Times were hard for most Americans at the time, but I had to do what I could to help people survive.

The top 3 things you can do to recession proof your fundraising efforts are:

1. Get to know your donors, and let them get to know you. If they feel seen and valued beyond their monetary contributions, they’ll be on your side no matter what. 
2. Decide if your mission is important and urgent. If you don’t believe in your mission, you’ll find reasons not to ask. 
3. Build your empathy muscle for rich people. Don’t objectify them - you’re not entitled to their money. They want a connection too. 

There will always be a crisis. There are times to talk about donations, and there are times to just check in on your donors and connect with them. When you invest in relationships, you’ll know how passionate they are, or aren’t, about your mission. They’ll know they can trust you, even when times are tough, and you can ask them for exponentially more.

The fall cohort is open now!

If you’re ready to double or even triple your individual giving this year, come grab your spot at CourageLab today! https://nonprofitcouragelab.com/

Music credit: With the Flow by Fin Productions

A Podcast Launch Bestie production