Tag Archives: Executive Directors

The Best Time to Raise Money Is…

You’ve heard a watched pot never boils. Let’s just say you’re fundraising and pushing to fill the pot. You’re watching, watching, watching and not seeing the huge increases you were hoping for.

The best time to raise money is when you’re not needing to raise money! Watching the pot and expecting it to grow at a specific time is just not reasonable. Raising money is truly a full time activity. For example: You host an annual fundraiser and expect to raise all of the money you need. When this does work it’s because the organization is putting together activities leading up to the event. They work on the program all year long. Their fundraising plan is strategic.

The beginning of a fundraising plan:

  • How much money by when?
  • Methods for raising money – past, present and future
  • Timeline for each method
  • Participants – past, present and future
  • Resources (current + what’s needed)
  • Tracking mechanism
  • Maintaining focus of your program with your team

Focus more on the steps involved and not a specific event. You will get further faster. The pot will simmer, shake, and create a rolling boil. Before you know it the results you want will be happening because you’re not so focused on the end result.

 

 

When Fundraising Comes Easy

It’s not for everyone – have you heard those words before? Here’s a question for you – is it hard to raise money or do you find it easy? Be honest. It’s Monday morning and maybe you’re working today. You have appointments each day this week with different people you’re cultivating. What’s your biggest challenge in preparing for the visits? Here are some tips:

  1. Know the person you’re meeting with
  2. Outline the steps ahead of time to get you to what you want
  3. Be ready with “next steps”

Fundraising comes more easily when people are prepared. A fundraising plan, all laid out, is a great thing to have in your back pocket (figuratively speaking), for everyone you know. The person being asked to consider a gift – also has to be prepared. Let’s be honest. People around you know your job. They expect at some point to be asked.

Fundraising comes easy to a fundraiser when the person they’re planning to ask is ready to give. The only way to know that is to know the person!

What Two Things Improve Fundraising?

Volunteers and outreach. They were the same two things you were thinking of, right? Great minds think alike! Volunteers and outreach improve fundraising. You’re nodding and saying, “Okay, but how is the volunteer who’s helping us file papers in the office going to help us raise money?”

First – he/she is filing and you’re not. That’s the first helpful thing. Your job is raising money and it’s difficult to do that if you’re filing papers instead of talking with people.

Second – he/she knows people to share your message with.

If you’re like most people you spend time training volunteers to do whatever your non-profit needs and it is time-consuming! It sure is. The best volunteer is actually an advocate who shares your message with others because they are a part of your fundraising team.  

You’re skilled in what you have to do. What if I told you it doesn’t have to be so hard? What if you could have two new volunteers every week for the next month who are helping you spread the word about your mission?

To put it simply – volunteers are the main solution to picking up momentum in your fundraising program. They just are. How you bring people on board is your recruitment process. How you maintain them is your retention process. Spending time in these areas will help. Then – the outreach will come.


Screen shot 2018-01-05 at 10.37.11 AMIt’s a process – anyone can learn and use!

SOAR with Network Fundraising is a system for raising money. There are two opportunities to be educated. They both include a personal connection with a fundraising consultant. To learn more – click here!

Resolutions Raise Money

Do you believe resolutions help you raise money? We think of making resolutions for the new year and here we are – already IN 2018 for a week!!

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Literally, making a resolution is the act or process of resolving. We often think of ways to improve our lives at the end of a year for the NEXT year. It’s a concept, which really could happen at the end of EVERY MONTH…or EVERY WEEK…or EVERY DAY, right? Why do we wait for the end of the year?

Resolving is the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones. It’s the act of answering or solving. It is determining. Raising money is one of those complex acts, don’t you think? Certainly, it takes time to plan out the steps involved. Fundraisers usually do this by putting together a fundraising plan, which is simple enough. We have a page committed to doing just that at SOAR with Network Fundraising. You can take a look through this link – Click Here! It will give you a step toward a successful resolve.

SOAR also gives flight to fundraising plans through discussions with qualified fundraising professionals. You are guaranteed to resolve a bigger smile! Email iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.com with your interest to learn more.

 

“NO DOUBT” – A Sign for Raising Money

A non-profit has many things to focus on and first and foremost it is the service they offer to help others. The mission is most-important – NO DOUBT!

There’s also no doubt when it comes to raising money. A non-profit generally has the majority of their funding acquired through grants and donations. There’s NO DOUBT the people they get their money from can certainly put those resources somewhere else. What happens then? It’s a very difficult time for a non-profit if they haven’t diversified their fundraising.

Think about your own money and the way you approach life. Did your mother ever mention something to you about putting all of your eggs in one basket? Have you found yourself saying the same thing to others? All of your eggs in one basket have a tendency to break when you trip and fall. Having numerous baskets with numerous carriers simply increases the odds of success. The same is true with raising money.

SOAR with Network Fundraising increases the odds of financial sustainability because we help organizations build networks of people, a V-formation, which works together to reach the destination!

It’s time to SOAR, raise more money and reach new heights – there’s NO DOUBT in the minds of successful non-profits who are working to SOAR with Network Fundraising.

 

The Appeal For Giving Comes First

 

Fundraisers talk about appeals all the time when raising money. It’s the appeal, or ask for a gift! Is now the right time to ask? It certainly is if you’ve already prepared and educated people about your organization. If not…stay away from the ask! Instead, think about the future and how you raise the appeal or desire in others through your actions.

We’re sitting on top of a gold mine for 2018. SOAR is in Colorado where the Gold Rush happened in the middle 1800’s. Gold mining continues with the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, which is close to where we live. They are the largest employer in the area. If gold mining goes away in this county so do a lot people’s dreams. The same is true with your fundraising. No dollars – no dreams!

Raising the appeal for giving is when the people you ask for money – GIVE IT!

The appeal in our lives is that we always have the opportunity to sit back and let the chips fall where they may. “We’ve done all we can do” is often our excuse. The last five days of 2017 are no exception. People say: We’re done for the year; What we do now is not going to make a difference on the bottom line. Is this really true!? NO!

Actually, now is the most-important time to be diligent. You have five days to impact your future financial success for 2017. But, more importantly, this rolls into what happens for 2018 as well. You know THIS to be true.

Raising the appeal within others to give a gift to you is extremely valuable. Lots of people do their annual giving through campaigns set up nationally now. The list is online. They can donate from the comfort of their home and no one is “asking” again and again for a gift.

This statement is now common, “I now give to two organizations each year and I’ve already given.”

Now, more than ever, relationships matter if you want to be one of two organizations a person is giving to. SOAR develops relationships. We help organizations become THE “connector” in their community. People CHOOSE to donate to the organizations we are involved with because the organizations are making a difference for others and not just asking for money!

SOAR works with a handful of organizations each year and we have a few openings for 2018 available in our Year-long Development Program, which is currently discounted through December 31, 2017. Learn more here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timely Investments for Raising Money

Timely Investments:

  • 7 to 12 months before fundraiser
  • 6 to 1 month before fundraiser
  • 1 month to the day of fundraiser

History proves a professional fundraiser raises, on average, 41% more money for an organization, when a successful fundraising system is put into place. It means, if you raised $50,000 last year you’re going to raise $70,500 this year.

The simple formula is – take the dollar amount you raised last year and multiply by .41 and then, add the number you get to your original number. For example: You raised $90,000 last year. $90,000 times .41 is $36,900. Add $90,000 and $36,900 together and you get the magic number of $126,900.

There are systems out there, no doubt, which will encourage you to do things outside your comfort zone. How about sticking to what’s natural?

SOAR’s system has proven to increase dollars raised by 126% within 4 months and 371% within 16 months by highlighting people’s gifts. This means participating organizations must be diligent and open-minded about following a system and sharing the things they’re good at with others.

Timeline prior to a fundraising event:

  • 7 to 12 months before fundraiser – This is when you are spreading the word about your organization because you’re hosting networking events. HOW you do this is important.
  • 6 to 1 month before fundraiser – This is when you change to every other month for networking events, and spend time with a core group of people who are instrumental in achieving your success.
  • 1 month to the day of fundraiser – This is the month when you are looking past the fundraiser and what happens afterwards.

SOAR works with corporations and non-profits to put together Collaborative Networking Events.

SOAR is…here!

Timely investments are HOW you spend your time. The value of follow up…PRICELESS

 

How Can Network Fundraising Help?

People ask – what is Network Fundraising?

The short answer – It is the system a person can learn and then use to grow their connections, increase market share and raise money. It is proven to increase dollars by 126% in four months.

Network Fundraising is taking networking events and adding advocates who invite people to networking events. Advocates give of their time. You provide an adequate motive for advocates to be involved with you. It’s win/win in the end. SOAR has programs to walk you down this path toward achieving financial success. Together, we “Reach New Heights for Raising Money!”

SOAR is a system and there are ways you can be educated about it. The program developed over twelve years ago and is now being shared for the first time. If you want to learn more – keep reading!

Education on the system is done through your participation in: 

  1. An audit of systems. This is a 1:1 networking meeting and a series of webinars or self study courses. The 1:1 is done via phone or video conference. The webinars are done via the Internet in the comfort of your home or office. There are no special downloads required! You bring the right people on your team to the call and the trainings.

  2. Participation in a year-long development program, which includes everything you can imagine to develop your own system for raising money. This program is guaranteed to triple your return on investment OR you get YOUR MONEY BACK**! 

**Offer good through December 31, 2017

If you’re interested, KEEP READING!!


The popular 1:1 networking meetings, an audit of systems, is the perfect way to get started. It is $374 and includes the following:

  • Webinars
    • The original series with details about the fundraiser SOAR calls a migration
  • 50-minute call to discuss items you want to develop within your program. When you do this call, the fundraising audit, you leave with three steps for moving your program forward, along with a timeline for doing so. The goals are something you determine and develop with the assistance of a SOAR fundraising professional
  • An opportunity to join the mastermind discussions each month. This is with other fundraising professionals around the country who are sharing ideas and setting goals!
  • Original copy of the book – SOAR with Network Fundraising
  • Recording link for the webinar sessions so you can review, and share with your team for up to 60 days


The year-long development program is based on availability. Reservations are being accepted for 2018’s calendar until December 31, 2017 with $150 down. Cost is $8000 when you sign up after January 1. It is $5000 today through the end of the year!

Get an experienced and successful fundraiser on your team for one year. It’s win/win! Guarantee a spot on the calendar for $150 upfront, which pays for the audit of fundraising systems. YES! That’s all it takes to get started!! Reserve your place now!

Cost is $8000 for people signing up between January and March. This is guaranteed. Cost is $5000 when you reserve your spot to begin SOAR’s program sometime in 2018. You do not have to begin in January. The cost for year-long development, when you break it down, is $14 a day during this campaign, which ends in nine days! 

What you get in the year-long development program:

  • Webinars
    • The original series with details about the fundraiser SOAR calls a migration
    • The advanced series, which shows you how to partner with others for collaborative networking events and how to treat your advocate program like a multi-level marketing campaign. This is when the V formation gets special attention. V formations are groups of volunteers, who help you fly!   
  • Monthly 1:1 Networking Meetings – 50-minute call to discuss items you want to develop within your program. 
  • Fundraising professional consulting with your team to achieve financial success
  • A professional fundraiser focused on you achieving your goal
  • The total cost is 37.5% lower now than if you wait to sign up in the first quarter of 2018.  Reserve your place now!
  • Webinars
    • The original series with details about the fundraiser SOAR calls a migration. 
    • The advanced series, which shows you how to partner with others for collaborative networking events and how to treat your advocate program like a multi-level marketing campaign. This is when the V formation gets special attention. V formations are groups of volunteers who help you fly!   
  • An opportunity to join the mastermind discussions each month. This is with other fundraising professionals around the country who are sharing ideas!
  • Original copy of the book – SOAR with Network Fundraising
  • Recording link for the webinar sessions so you can review, and share with your team for as long as you are in the program

Let’s talk if you’re not sure about where to begin. You can schedule a quick call via this link: Click Here!

We pride ourselves in letting people take the lead in how they want to raise money. We have a system, which works in a fast and productive way. It is easy to understand, implement and it creates sustainability. We stand alongside organizations who are ready to SOAR – to reach new heights in raising money. We offer additional training for teams when they get involved.

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Review of the levels and costs associated with SOAR’s programs:

1:1 Networking Meeting/ Fundraising Audit/Webinar Series – $374 

Year-long Development Program** is $5000 with $150 due by December 31, 2017. 

**After January 1, 2018 the cost is $205 for reservations and $8000 for the year-long development program. This cost is good through March 2018.

 

FREE Friday at SOAR with Network Fundraising

Free download of SOAR’s published book on Friday, December 1. Get “SOAR with Network Fundraising” when you click on the link provided to you. Get details for FREE Friday ahead of time and get the LINKS sent to you directly. There will be something given away on Fridays from SOAR with Network Fundraising. Register here to get on the mailing list to see what’s coming next with FREE Friday! 

 

 

 

Getting People on Your Side for Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday and many people are finding it easier to donate to their favorite charity through a click of a button.

Have you shared your button’s link on social media, in mailers, and on your website? Preparation makes all the difference when it comes to being successful during this campaign.

This was just reported through USA Today:

Most charitable states:

1. Utah

2. Maryland

3. Minnesota

4. Wyoming

5. Wisconsin

6. Washington

7. Virginia

8. South Dakota

9. Georgia

10. Oklahoma

Colorado is where SOAR with Network Fundraising is and we fall somewhere in the middle of the pack for most charitable states. You can certainly look up the results at: USA Today

Preparing to raise money takes a system. Systems keep us on track and all we have to do is follow them. They’re proven to succeed. SOAR with Network Fundraising is the system known to increase the dollars you raise by 126% within four months.

Watch “WHY it works” to learn more! 


 

The best parts of the SOAR System:

  1. Works in any community where people communicate
  2. Works for non-profit and for-profit businesses alike
  3. You gain a team member (SOAR professional) who has historically won at raising money

SOAR makes learning the system easy through self-study courses. The list of videos below are FREE webinar sessions. They are all under ten minutes long and give an overview of SOAR systems:

We’ve recently combined our self-study courses, which adds value to each grouping. We recommend people begin with Group I and the SOAR Webinar Series because this is where it all begins.


 

Group I 

  • SOAR Webinar Series
  • Migration – THE Fundraiser

See Testimonials

The SOAR Webinar Series is all about relationship management for fundraising, networking, improving your volunteer program, and learning the details for a new fundraiser – The Migration!

PLUS – you receive:

  • An opportunity to join the mastermind discussions each month. This is with other fundraising professionals around the country who are sharing ideas!
  • Downloadable book – SOAR with Network Fundraising
  • Recording of the session so you can review anytime
  • Templates and other information provided to guarantee success
  • Follow-up call with a SOAR coach to make sure everything you learned is clear and understandable! This is when you can ask questions in relation to fitting the program into your mission.
  • Details about doing a Migration! This is a fundraiser based on strategic networking. A migration is literally an event, which takes you from an area of low resources to an area of high resources. It’s unlike anything you’ve learned before!!

Click this link to purchase Group I for $129


 

Group of People Cheerful Team Study Group Diversity Concept


You commit to one day of training during the SOAR Webinar Series or up to four days by spreading the sessions out. You receive a recording of the sessions you attend. ALSO – everyone going through the series is invited to join a conference call on a quarterly basis with like-minded individuals – The Fundraising Mastermind.

Click this link to purchase Group I for $129