| We asked a
number of fund-raising professionals and experienced volunteers what they
thought were the most important traits an individual/group should possess
to be successful at fund-raising. Here is their list, which we found
coincides nicely with Stephen Covey's well known theories detailed in his
best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Be proactive. Motivated fundraisers are successful fundraisers. Truly motivated volunteers never wait to be asked. They're often the first to identify the fact that the playground needs repair or the media center needs more books. Likewise, they're usually the first to take action to meet those needs. Begin with the
end in mind. Successful fund-raising projects and the people who drive
them are supremely goal-oriented. They are, from beginning to end, focused
on the reason why the group is fund-raising and take every opportunity to
remind volunteers of why they are fund-raising. |
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Put first things first.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities
without losing track of the details, is one of the most common traits
found in successful fund-raising chairpersons. Good math skills and
comfort in handling money also are important. Think win-win. Successful fund-raising programs have at their core a trusting relationship between the volunteer at the helm of the fund-raising drive and the company/company representative with whom they are working. It's what Covey describes as the "you help me, I help you" concept. If the fund-raising sponsor and the professional they've hired both believe in this concept, the non-profit group will benefit. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. When problems arise (and they always do), it's great if the person at the helm is unflappable with good people skills. Effective fundraising chairs are good listeners, therefore, excellent communicators and problem solvers. Synergize. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts; therefore, successful fund-raising coordinators are good at team-building and understand the importance of a diverse committee. Work to make sure that each member's strengths offset the weaknesses of others, with a good mix of new and experienced volunteers. Sharpen the saw. Exhausted volunteers are commonplace. To stay fresh, keep a good balance between the professional, family and volunteer parts of your life. Heading up a fund-raising drive can be time consuming. Prepare for it. And always have a backup -- someone in training ready to take over when your job is done. For other school fundraising ideas, visit http://www.afrds.org. The Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (AFRDS) and its members are dedicated to promoting professionalism and integrity in product fundraising. AFRDS members ascribe to an industry Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Practice. Its more than 650 member companies manufacture, supply and/or distribute products that are re-sold by not-for-profit organizations for fundraising purposes. Please respect the intellectual rights of the author.
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