Have you thought about internal fundraising campaigns at your organization
In that continued quest for support every year, don't forget that some of your biggest supporters may be hidden within your organization. This not only includes your board members, but also your executives, staff, and volunteers. They are just as close, if not closer, to your cause than your external supporters. They already understand its importance and, to some degree, the financial support required each year to maintain your important programs and services for those who need them.
Your program volunteer, executive director, payroll clerk, or receptionist can support your organization in other ways besides the jobs they do every day. And don't be surprised to find that they may really want to, they just need to be asked. Internal fundraising campaigns - or fundraising events and activities - are a way to do just that. In some nonprofits, internal fundraising activities are packaged into a campaign that can last from anywhere between a couple days, to a week, to a month or more. They usually happen around the same time each year. Alternatively, internal fundraising can be as simple as one event or activity per year or even per month. Loonies for dress-down Fridays, annual used-books or bake sales, staff barbeques, even staff donations through payroll deductions are examples of internal fundraising activities.
The W.I.I.F.E. Factor (what's in it for everybody)
There are several benefits (besides raising money) for nonprofits involved in internal fundraising. The very nature of internal fundraising campaigns lends itself to these benefits. Rallying together staff and volunteers in support of your organization through a timely internal fundraising campaign is a great opportunity for team-building among your staff. Because these campaigns typically involve lots of planning, organizing, and promotion, they also present professional development opportunities for staff who get to build or test new skills in ways not available through their regular 'day jobs'.
Maybe your organization helps the homeless, abused children, or people with fatal illnesses - let's face it, sometimes this kind of work presents us with some sad realities that take an emotional toll on frontline workers. Or, maybe your organization has experienced a recent staff turnover and new work relationships need to be forged to keep things running smoothly. Because internal campaigns have the potential to bring staff and volunteers from different departments together for their execution, they can also help to boost 'company' morale and foster a sense of community and belonging within organizations.
Find a staff champion or champions
Fundraising consultant Mary Lynne Stewart, of Mary Lynne Stewart & Associates, offers a few good tips on creating the right environment for successful internal fundraising activities or campaigns. "First," she says, "find a champion within your organization. Then you've got to create a team that will provide support...try to make everyone an ambassador of the organization."
Engage, motivate, incentivize
Ideally, you want to engage and motivate the support of your staff just as you would your external donors (even though they are not new to your cause). "Begin the campaign with an orientation or recruitment session. Offer a variety of ways for your staff to support, as many as five or even twenty if possible...be it through letter-writing or through staff social events," says Stewart. "Where possible, offer incentives for participation too, like a half-day off with pay or a dinner-for-two [gift certificate]." Stewart emphasizes keeping campaign communications simple but motivating, and organizing standardized events, like a monthly bowling night, as ways to encourage staff participation.
Don't forget to recognize
Build a closing recognition event or action into your internal campaign planning. This is especially important if you want to maintain and increase staff loyalty for future campaigns. Plus, it's just the courteous thing to do. "Everyone should feel that what they did is important. Recognize their help and support during the campaign in a staff newsletter or any way you can," reminds Stewart.
and volunteers' support." |
