$2k in 2 Hours
The scenario:
You realize you need some quick capital for your nonprofit to get your marketing looking professional and polished.
In this quick post, I am going to explain how you can gain some quick nonprofit funding that you can then spend on your image and in turn get started on the “Simple Fundraising” strategy. There are only a few quick steps to it, read on.
Nonprofit fund raising does not have to be daunting as we learned in “A Simple Formula”. It is simply about telling your story in a quick effective way and then duplicating yourself and that story so that more and more people know your nonprofit exists. One of the most important elements in retelling your story is to be able to equip others to retell the story once they know it. However excited you may be about following this simple formula, you are faced with the lack of capital to get your image and story in a form so others can retell it correctly. We are going to fix that in just a few concentrated hours.
Your First Capital Campaign
The secret to this quick and effective fund raising strategy is that you are not going to be looking for large financial contributions. Instead, you’re looking for a few smaller contributions, the kind people will easily help you with and not be a challenge for them to donate to you. Remember, don’t make starting a non profit or fund raising hard. Instead, start simple and make it easy. Relax, it will all come together, just work the steps.
Step 1- Develop Your Story
You need to develop the “story” of your nonprofit which is: why, how, when, and who you are going to help. As the founder, you can develop this story the easiest because you have a passion for something to do to help people or things. For an example, see the “About” tab on the Start a NonProfit | Ocean Grand site. Your story (product) should be compelling and give a brief background of how the passion for this nonprofit was birthed. In addition, it should include why the nonprofit was started, who or what the nonprofit is going to help, and how you’re going to help.
For your First Capital Campaign you only need a concise 3 minute version, (“A Simple Formula” gives more specifics). This version is going to briefly tell about the new nonprofit you just started, why you started it, who you are going to help and why. Hone it down and practice it on a spouse or a friend several times and make sure it “flows” and compels people to want to be a part.
Step 2- Two Hours and $2K
Come up with a list of 20 to 30 of the most generous and willing to help a cause friends you know. Everyone knows at least that many people whether it is friends, family, co-workers. Remember to focus first on those that are most likely to help a good cause. It is also important to remember, you are not asking them for yourself, you are asking them on behalf of an organization that is going to make a huge difference in the community.
Schedule two uninterrupted hours that you can make phone calls in a quite place. If your using a cell phone, make sure it is a place that has good reception. There is a brief idea for a script below, but take the wording and make it your own- like you would say it. Don’t fret, you simply have to go through the script (practice it so it does not sound like you are reading it). Then ask a quick question at the end and your off the phone.
Script
Here is the script:
You: Hi [person's name]. I was wondering if you had three minutes I could bother you and ask for you input?
{person says yes}
You: I will make it brief and appreciate you taking the time to listen.
or
{person says no}:
You: Ask them when you might call them back that they would have a couple minutes.
You: Tell your three minute story.
You: [Person's name] I am making a few phone calls to those people I believe I can count on that could donate $100 in the next couple days so that we can get our story printed on a brochure and website started. We have some fund raising scheduled to start in the next couple weeks and need to know we be able to put our best image forward to help [whatever your helping]. $100 is all I need from you and I appreciate our [friendship, relationship, etc] and that I can feel comfortable calling you and asking for your help. Could I count on you for this help?
{person} yes, how do I get the funds to you?
You: Thank you, I really appreciate it [tell them the name to make the check out to and how to get it to you, you might want to pick it up].
or
{person says no}
You: Hey, [persons name] thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule, can I count on you to help in the future when your able? [wait for response] Again thanks for the time, have a great day, I will keep you updated on our program.
Step 3- That’s it
You simply need to call 20 to 30 people and give them a quick 3 minute phone call asking for some quick help. Find twenty people that will help, spend 3 minutes on the phone, and you will have your $2k. Granted, some may not be able to help but now they know your story and you move onto the next person. Don’t make the phone call complicated or long. A concentrated 2 hours plus the time you take to develop your story and it is not hard to see you could have your funds. Make sure you put the funds into polishing your image with a design company that can make that image stand out.
Read “A Simple Formula” to begin getting the next phases of your fund raising efforts underway.
Best of fund raising! Let us know if we can help.
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