My garden this spring after rototilling.
The soil is tilled about 1 foot deep with plenty of last year’s chicken manure, leaves from last fall, and other compost.
When a soil test revealed low nitrogen, I also added some commercial fertilizer.
Preparing the soil
A successful garden requires soil that is tested for nutrient content, includes proper drainage, fertilized and cultivated.
Like gardening, much of the most important work in fundraising happens before you ask for money. This includes a well articulated mission statement, methods of evaluating progress toward the mission, effective plans for growth, and a well-written case for philanthropic support. This article will briefly outline these vital preparation elements.
Clear Mission
The mission statement should be limited to one or two sentences, very easy to recite from memory, and describe how you’re solving an important problem in the world. And it should match the reality of the organization’s actual work. Much has been written on effective mission statement development, so I won’t add to that here. The entire organization should understand and be able to describe the mission, though–not developed by a handful of top managers.
Methods of Evaluation
The organization needs to know and measure progress toward the mission. This includes outputs, like number of people served, and also outcomes, such as impact on the lives of recipients, which can be qualitative and quantitative. These evaluation measures should be scalable and simple so that you can explain how additional donations will change outcomes.
Case for support
The case explains why additional donations are urgently important to change people’s lives. Appealing to both logic and emotion, it shows how donated funds will measurably improve the outcomes toward the mission statement. It does not focus on the budget needs of the organization, but explains an opportunity to change lives and solve human problems.
For example, “We need money to hire another therapist,” is not inspiring or compelling. A more interesting case is “Your donation could help 250 people each year overcome debilitating depression.”
Developing an effective case for support should begin by understanding the research-based human problem and why philanthropic donations to your organization are the best way to solve that problem. Explain why the problem cannot be solved by business or government, and not another nonprofit organization.
In a series of several group meetings discussing the goal to ask for donations, ask key staff and then board members why? And so what? So Why? until you reach the vital answer without another why?
Dig deep and ask yourself–will you personally give to this cause? How much? Why?
To add detail to the case, create a dream itemized budget, estimate what you would actually spend funds on. Then add brief descriptions for each item to explain what additional donated money would do.
So far, we’ve emphasized the logic and reason behind the case. But donors give because they are moved by compelling emotion. So, to reach the heart, include a photo and real story of a person whose life was changed in some way by your mission–the kind of person who will benefit from additional donations.
Finally, take the one page case explanation to board members, and at least one honest friend not connected to the organization and invite them to ask questions. Ask how much they would likely give to that cause. Focus on content, not appearance and design. Get honest feedback and adjust the case as needed.
Congratulations!
Your soil is prepared and you’re prepared to plant! Just like the garden soil, an excellent case for support is a difficult, yet vital step toward tremendous fundraising success.
After rototilling, drip lines are spread and staked, then tested before adding black plastic.
The grow boxes in the distance by the chicken coop are on a separate automatic sprinkler timer to water more frequently.
The area in the front waters less frequently to grow mellons, squash and tomatoes.