The Life Skills of Fundraising
September 27th, 2024 | One Collective
Fundraising can be scary. It puts you in a position of vulnerability, asking others to invest their money in an endeavor that may not yet have a clear outcome. The fear of fundraising is one of the major reasons people turn down amazing opportunities with nonprofit organizations. But this doesn't have to be the case for you! With training, you can learn the skills of fundraising now, including growing your relationship network, communication skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. These will not only empower you to pursue work with a nonprofit, but will also benefit you in a plethora of future endeavors throughout your life.
1. Grow Your Relationship Network
Fundraising is all about building relationships and maintaining them. As you get ready to fundraise, strengthen your ties to your community. Do you have a good relationship with your neighbors, church leaders, friends, and others in positions of influence? This is a good time to start networking in order to build relationships with people who have an interest in the kind of work you are doing.
Networking through service opportunities in your community can open doors to new friendships. Consider volunteering your time in your community and you will see yourself building new relationships naturally.
One of the most essential tasks in fundraising is maintaining relationships over time. Once you've built strong connections, it's important to get in the habit of intentionally and regularly connecting to continue deepening these relationships. The work you put into this part of the process is vital!
2. Grow As a Communicator
A key aspect of fundraising is learning to speak to different audiences and connecting with them in personal ways. Fundraising will help you become a better listener and communicator. During the course of your fundraising, one audience may be captivated by personal stories of impact about those you're planning to serve. Another group of people may be more interested in your specific needs and want to see a detailed budget. And a different audience might be inspired by the vision you cast and plans for future impact. It's important to know what your different audiences are looking for and create a communication plan that addresses their specific needs.
3. Grow As an Entrepreneur
It's crucial to learn how to "sell" your cause or product to a group of investors. This will ensure that you are prepared for any future entrepreneurial opportunities in the nonprofit or for-profit sectors in addition to benefiting you now. Up to 70% of Gen Z young people have some sort of entrepreneurial goals for their future. Whether or not that's you, in the future you may find yourself in a position to raise money for a product or cause you believe in, and you will need skills to be successful.
The experience of proposing your idea (ministry, service, cause, or product) to a group of people with the means to invest financially, alongside learning how to communicate well and maintain relationships, will give you the right foundation for many future fundraising opportunities.
Don't let the fear of fundraising be the reason you choose not to take steps towards your calling. It's a learnable skill that you can sharpen over time, and the benefits will serve you for years to come!
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