LIST
Seven Habits of Highly
Effective Fundraisers
Though autumn can feel like Fundraising Season, people who raise money for the PTA,
YMCA, ASPCA and other worthy groups know that it’s a year-round effort. How can
your investment of time yield the highest returns? We asked VICKI PAULSON, Director
of Advancement for the Montclair-based Partners for Women and Justice, which
provides free legal assistance to low-income victims and survivors of domestic violence.
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER
BALANCING ACT
FOLLOW UP
Create a plan that looks for revenue
from grants, individual donors and
special events, so you’re not over-reliant
on any single source of income.
Let people know what you did with
their input; it brings them into the
organization.
DON’T BE SHY
Check your databases and talk to
people in your organization to ID longtime supporters, as well as organizations
whose goals are aligned with yours.
If their missions have changed, ask
them for referrals.
THROW A PARTY
Special events can be not only big
sources of revenue, but also great
opportunities to engage new people
and tell your organization’s story.
PEER TO PEER FOR FUN
AND PROFIT
COMMUNICATION IS A
TWO-WAY STREET
When you meet with a prospective
donor, do a lot of listening. What resonates with that person? You want to
make a personal connection and inspire
with your passion, because, as the saying
goes, “People give to people.”
18
MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE FALL 2016
Our junior advisory board organized a
series of fundraisers at Spin Cycle in New
York City using CrowdRise; volunteers
registered to ride, and friends and relatives sponsored them. The first event
had 5,000 sponsors; the second, 11,000;
and the last, 30,000. They’ve attracted a
whole different group of people to
fundraise for us. ■
PAULSON: COURTESY OF VICKIE PAULSON; OTHERS: THINKSTOCK
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Different people respond to different
types of communication. Reach out to
potential donors not only via email, but
through a phone call or handwritten
note.