Breathe. Focus. You’ve got this.

​Now is the time to breathe. Focus. And get a plan together, if you don’t already have one. Here are a few tools to help with your fundraising efforts.

​Strengthen your Case

​Fundraising requires both continuing investment and ongoing care. Keep your donors updated as to pending changes, new services provided and outreach. How do these changes fit in to your case? Although your case statement should always be ready, now might be a great time to polish and update with any new changes. 

​Engage

​Donors care about how your clients are faring, so be sure that they understand both the urgent need for your services and the steps you’re taking to increase your efficiency and effectiveness. Donors give because they believe in your mission. They stop giving because they’re disengaged. Keep them engaged and tell them how their donations help, especially during these trying times.

Fundraise Virtually 

​No gala? No problem! Who wants to buy an expensive dress now anyway? Giving is now easier than ever with online giving. With online giving, turn those dress dollars into a solid donation. Hopefully your website accepts donations, but can they make reoccurring monthly donations? Of course these gifts don’t take the place of a face-to-face ask (or over the phone) but it definitely helps. Remember to ask your donors if they’d like to turn their ticket refund/table refund into a donation. 

​Idaho Gives 

Idaho Gives is May 7th. Increase awareness and reach new donors by participating in 24 hours of online giving. It’s super easy for your donors to cover the fees so 100% of their gift is received by your organization. Registration ends April 15th! 
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*Registration pricing is now staying at the Early Bird pricing.

Stay the Course

Check out this webinar from our friends at Nonprofit Association of Oregon: The Show Must Go On-Fundraising Despite the Odds

• Tracey Lorts of Greater Giving and Samantha Swaim, Swaim Strategies will dive into the best practices, tools, and steps to take for your fundraising event during uncertain times. The goal is to keep you continue fundraising.  Learn the steps to assure that you keep your guests safe and raise money, whether you decide to cancel, go on or go virtual.
• Thursday, March 19th 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. MT.
  
• Register Here

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Remember 

​Remember fundraising is all about relationships and engagement. Your donors want to hear from you. Update them. Engage them. Ask them how they’d like to help. They believe in your mission. And they believe in you.
Below are a few resources and articles with any questions or concerns.

• Idaho Charitable Solicitation Act
• Mal Warwick: Fundraising When Money Is Tight: A Strategic and Practical Guide to Surviving Tough Times and Thriving in the Future.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards
• Nonprofit Association of Oregon
• Idaho Nonprofit Center​