Tag Archives: V-formation

Simple Steps for Building Networks to Raise Money

Collaborative Networking Events – THE way to spread your wings and SOAR! This is when you partner a business, nonprofit, sponsor and attendees. The business and the sponsor may be one in the same.

Business – provides location
Sponsor – pays for event amenities (food, etc)
Non-profit – featured during presentation
Attendees come to NETWORK and will see the presentation

The Collaborative Networking Event is a mix n’ mingle partnered between two presentations. SOAR is an acronym for a relationship management style. Network Fundraising is the system. SOAR with Network Fundraising is described in a book – by the same name. There are also educational platforms described on the website. soarwithnetworkfundraising.org

Why network at all?

Develop relationships for business
Grow market share
Create sustainability

When does networking really work?

Growth happens within your network because of reciprocal services you provide to others
Reciprication happens when you’re giving back in meaningful ways because you know what someone values.

Networking methods – there are many. The one to consider, which happens officially in three meetings, is 1:1 networking.

Meeting #1
- Learn more about the individual
- Listen to ideas
- Determine where there’s an overlap
- Mutually share information about networks
Meeting #2
- Offer support in meaningful ways
- Add value
- Determine how to recognize
- Provide network leads and opportunities
Meeting #3
- Determine the best way to develop a collaboration
- Make the ask

SOAR with Network Fundraising – the book on Amazon – Click to order

Let’s connect on Social Networks

soarwithnetworkfundraising.com (FB)
gaylegross.com (FB)
gayle_gross (Twitter)
Linkedin.com/in/gaylegross (LinkedIn)

The V formation for Fundraising

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The V formation is a volunteer format. Think of birds flying in a flock.

V Formation is a pattern most often used by a flock of birds. Birds maintain a healthy balance and do not get tired while flying because they lift each other up. Their wings create an updraft as the flock works together to reach its common goal. They soar.

Leaders and Followers are part of the V formation for birds. They have a leader at the head of the V formation and there are many followers, which form the flock. The leader drops back into the flock when they become tired. Another bird takes over the lead when this happens in order to continue the momentum.

Building a V formation for your fundraising efforts starts with you, the leader of fundraising. There’s a three step process, which involves meeting with a person you’d like to bring on board. We (SOAR with Network Fundraising) suggest putting the process into three months because it takes time to build relationships but you can change it. Each situation is different.

Month 1: Leader meets with an individual to learn more about them, listens to their ideas, and determines where the organization and individual overlap. In addition, they also share information about the networks where they each belong. This is considered a one to one (“1:1”) networking meeting.

Month 2: Leader supports the individual in ways, which are meaningful for them and adds value to their business or other interests. The Leader determines how this new person likes to be recognized, and provides network leads and opportunities.

Month 3: Leader determines the best way to integrate the new person into the formation as an Advocate and makes the ask with an established role already in mind.

People want to know how much time they are committing to you for your V formation
They want to know what their job description looks like
The biggest and most important thing to remember is that these people are giving of their time to you and to your organization. This is energy they can spend elsewhere – be appreciative

The 8th thing to do when asking for money!

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1.) KNOW the person/organization you’re asking. AND, know why they will say yes when you ask for a donation. Ideas for getting to know them:

Invite them to attend activities you’re hosting (when you’re not asking for money or anything else in return) so you can talk and learn
Take a genuine interest in the things they do
Get involved in things they support
Attend something of their choosing

2.) Discover a general overlap of interests. This helps with building lasting relationships. It is always good to focus part of your appointments on a friendly discussion. Ideas:

FORM – family, occupation, relationships and mission/message

3.) Avoid boring anyone with information they already know. ASK for perspectives upfront. Find out what is already known and what participants would like to learn. Questions to ask to get clear:

What would you like to get from today’s meeting?
How would you see me being more involved in your mission?
Do you have a specific interest in the mission I’m involved with?

4.) Set an agenda for your meeting. Let anyone involved with the meeting know the meeting’s agenda. Also, ask anyone involved to add items ahead of time. Tips:

Set the agenda one week in advance
Send the agenda to everyone with a deadline date for adding new items
Always have the last section scheduled for new business and setting the next meeting

5.) Determine mutual benefit. Share this when asking for an appointment. What will the attendees gain through your meeting?

6.) ASK for the donation. Realize the benefit of giving to your organization and feel good about someone doing so. When you know why they will say yes it is time to ask.

7.) Thank everyone involved with a phone call and/or hand written note. Respect and appreciate others for the time they give to you.

If we were to add #8 it would be to attach yourself to a system for fundraising. Whether it is one you develop or one you adopt from someone else. A system is the way you implement fundraising. SOAR lays some groundwork below for our system.

Share your message with others.

Offer opportunities for people to be involved with your mission.

Accept the way people want to participate.

Respect and appreciate others.

We also have a networking event, which helps organizations increase their volunteer base, engage people interested in growing the program, and see the benefit for being involved. Want to learn more? See this link.

Raising Money & Building Networks!

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“The more people you know, the more places you’ll go.” Sounds like a familiar quote, right? It’s close but not quite the same as Dr. Seuss (if you’re wondering).

Building networks goes hand in hand with raising money and increasing market share. Take the text literally. The more people you know and share your message with, the more growth you’ll have. NOW, the caveat. There are ways to do this without appearing overt and this is where developing your skill comes in.

“I want what I want, not what I need” may seem familiar if you know the band The Federal Empire. Take this text literally and ask for what’s needed while also giving what’s needed to the person you’re asking. Confused? You’re not alone. What a person needs is not always what they ask for because they ask for what they want, remember? There are ways to get everything sorted out to put yourself on the right path toward achieving fundraising success and asking for what you need. There’s a simple system, which you may not want to do BUT it is what you need to do!

Organizations go through growing pains – that’s right – growth in fundraising through a new system causes the same pain you feel while growing in other ways. The good thing is that it doesn’t last long. The reality is 4 – 8 weeks and then, the process and persistence pays off. It’s happening now. Statistics prove raising money is done through building networks. SOAR is the way to go when you’re ready to fly.

FREE strategy sessions available – Schedule Now – Click Here!

Reaching Fundraising Goals

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Raising money – it’s a cakewalk! Certainly you can make money doing a cake walk** but what we’re talking about now is “making it EASY to raise money.” Making sure it’s a piece of cake. Setting things up so raising money happens without too much effort. Finding the SWEET spot. What does it look like?

Set goals you can achieve

Watch for opportunities

Engage people in your program

Elevate your volunteer’s skills

Thankful heart – BE thankful for all people, places and things, which come your way! And, let it be known.

Simple enough! Spend time focused on the the SWEET areas within your program.

**Cakewalk: As music plays, people walk around a large circle of numbers. When the music stops, a number is picked from a container and the person standing closest to the corresponding number on the circle wins a cake. It’s a sweet deal! Especially if you get cakes donated and the players pay a small fee to participate. Then, it becomes a fun way to raise a little cash!

Learning to Raise Money

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How fast are you learning to use social media, hash tags, and your phone for everything?! It’s a necessity when doing business these days. What if your job is raising money? How you use the tools improves your chances for being successful. Learning is education and systems are easy to learn when they are introduced step by step.

At SOAR with Network Fundraising there’s a proven system, which works for raising money in any community. You are encouraged to learn more. And, if you want to talk 1:1 then send an email to iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.com and let us know!

Raise Money Fast

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What’s the simple truth? Buy-in! When people believe in what you’re doing and they can see you’re also interested in their mission, it’s win/win.

Raise money fast by putting together opportunities for people to network with each other. Think about it – networking events – they bring people together AND people like them. You’re not asking for anything in return at these events. It is about spreading your word and creating opportunity for your guests so they can also share their message. There’s nothing selfish about it. Open the doors, let everyone share, and open people’s hearts to what you do.

You may/may not know how to get started with planning a networking event. Here are some ideas.

Choose a comfortable location where you can have people min n’ mingle in one area while you’re also presenting to a closed group in a different area.
Put together a four-part program where there’s an MC (2 min. intro), a person sharing updates and letting everyone in the room introduce themselves (10 min.), a person or two sharing a story about your organization (4 min. each), and the MC closing out the session. In total, this program is less than 30 minutes.
Group two of your programs, like the one discussed above in #2 around a networking opportunity AKA mix n’ mingle. Basically, program/mix n’ mingle/program. Everyone at the two programs comes together for the mix n’ mingle in the middle, which is the actual networking portion of the event.

When your program is solid and you have processes in place for bringing advocates (volunteers telling people about your mission) on board then you are on track for raising money fast. It all begins with your networking events where people choose to become deeper involved in your mission. THE KEY is to be ready for advocates. Learn more here!

The Best Time to Raise Money Is…

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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

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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:

Know the person you’re meeting with
Outline the steps ahead of time to get you to what you want
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?

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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.

It’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!