Raise a Dream

Dream Raiser Fatigue

Raising dreams takes a team. Whether it is planning an event; launching a project or product; or finding right-fit partners, champions, or sponsors… your efforts require collaboration, and sometimes a lot of it. We meet many entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations who actually have developed dream raiser fatigue!

Dream raiser fatigue... Is that a thing?

...YES, according to many nonprofits, community organizations, and entrepreneurs. They have shared that the past couple of years have created challenges with volunteerism, fundraising, and donor relationships. The pivoting and steps needed to raise big dreams and projects have consumed people’s time and energy.

Collaborating To Stretch Funding & Impact

Now more than ever, we are hearing that granting organizations, funders, and sponsors are looking to nonprofit organizations, service clubs, and entrepreneurs to collaborate and partner where possible on their projects. In many cases, funders look to projects where there is no (or minimal) duplication of efforts and services. This allows funders to extend their range and stretch funding while also fostering a greater impact.

This is not a new approach.

More than 20 years ago (before I opened my businesses), I was a contract negotiation specialist for the government. I had a portfolio of funding that was provided to nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and community groups to operate programs and services in the region. The funds supported a wide range of initiatives including early childhood education, parenting programs, community events, group homes, and women’s shelters to name a few.

Collaborative Book Strategy for Nonprofits

Nonprofits, charities, and service clubs... have you considered having one of your staff, board, volunteers or clients contribute stories to a collaborative book?

One of the missions of many nonprofits, charities, and service clubs is telling their story, the stories that connect donors, funders, and sponsors to their cause.

Being part of a collaborative book is a great way to share a story about your organization. You can then use the book as an ongoing fundraiser, prizes for your events, and as recognition gifts for donors, sponsors, volunteers, board members… and the list goes on. You can even have sponsors buy bulk quantities of the book for you to then give away or use for fundraising or in your programs with clients.

Sponsorship for Nonprofits & Service Clubs: How to Attract Sponsors, Raise Funds & Make a Bigger Impact

As a nonprofit fundraiser, you know the value of government funding, individual donations, and grants, but another source of revenue to consider is corporate sponsorship -- an untapped revenue source for many nonprofits and service clubs.

Many nonprofits have effectively leveraged relationships with corporate sponsorships to increase revenue, further their cause or mission, and make a bigger impact.

Nonprofits, associations, and service clubs can raise more money and boost impact to support their projects and programs when they understand how corporate sponsorship works and how such support differs from what most charities know as philanthropy. When organizations and those responsible for association management know what sponsorship decision-makers want to see, they can build meaningful relationships with brands. Leaders and managers who understand how corporate sponsorship and cause marketing works will stand out and get more yeses!

4 S's in Leadership That Increase Sponsorship

Whether you are a for-profit business, a not-for-profit or nonprofit organization, a charity, foundation, or service club, there are 4 S's related to leadership that help build capacity, sustainability, and increase your fundraising efforts. Those are Speaking, Sales, Sponsorship, and Service.

Let’s break these down separately.

Speaking:

With Association Management (or in your role as a leader, board president, business owner, or a director of a not-for-profit organization), it is important to remember that speaking and sharing your message/mission through presentations and/or media is a vital, yet complex skill set for success.