MOMENTUM

 

Taking-Action-Option2This month, the Donor By Design Group is challenging you to take action, moving from resolutions to results. Today’s topic? Creating and keeping momentum in your campaign.  

 As I work with clients, I often write the word momentum across the white board or flip chart. This single word helps define campaign success or failure.

Momentum is very tangible – just ask your volunteers! When we feel momentum in a campaign, pledges are being celebrated, volunteers and staff are excited, campaigners are having success and, perhaps most importantly, everyone believes the campaign can and will be successful. Everyone wants to be part of a winning team!

Conversely, when there is lack of momentum the campaign can feel stalled. Volunteers and staff aren’t motivated. The task seems insurmountable.

Consider doing this quick “momentum assessment” of your campaign. On a scale of 1-5 (1=lacks momentum greatly and 5=white-hot momentum) rate the following:

Case   1   2   3   4   5
Is your campaign case urgent and clear? Do your volunteers and staff understand the case and can share it with energy and conviction?

Leadership   1    2    3    4    5
Have you assembled the right volunteers who are lead gift donors themselves and have access to other lead gifts? Remember, two powerful words in fundraising are join me!

Prospects  1   2   3   4   5
Do you have an identified Top 20 and Next 30 group of prospects who are actively being cultivated? In today’s major gift fundraising environment this group of donors will represent 78%-80% of your fundraising goal.

Plan  1   2   3   4   5
Do you have clear and actionable campaign plan and timeline? Do your volunteers and staff understand the what and why of your current campaign season? As Pastor Andy Stanley says, “when there’s fog in the pulpit, there’s apathy in the pew.”

If your total score isn’t 16 or higher, you are lacking the necessary momentum to make the campaign successful.

Have your key volunteers and staff complete this simple assessment too. While they may not have defined the problem as a lack of momentum, everyone knows when the difference between moving forward and being stalled.

Take action now to recapture the momentum your campaign needs to be successful. Need help? Feel free to reach out and let’s discuss how you can make 2017 full of success and momentum!

Posted by Bruce Berglund
Bruce Berglund

Written by Bruce Berglund

For nearly 30 years, Bruce Berglund, CFRE, has been a successful professional fundraiser in the fields of higher education, arts and culture, and social services. Bruce is the CEO and Founder of DBD Group (formerly Donor by Design Group), a national firm providing comprehensive fundraising services to nonprofits, churches, community colleges and schools. DBD is currently managing more than $3 billion in capital, annual and endowment campaigns. Bruce is a highly sought-after writer, speaker and teacher.

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