Top Strategies to Overcome Fear of Nonprofit Fundraising
How often have you heard someone say “I hate fundraising; I’ll do anything else,” or something along those lines?
Every time I hear this, my response is to get curious. “What makes you say this? How does fundraising make you feel?” Generally I’ll get a range of responses; mostly they boil down to some variation on the theme of FEAR.
Board members aren’t lazy because they’re afraid of asking for money. Your staff aren’t slackers because they fear fundraising. They’re just scared, and need help overcoming their fears and anxieties. That’s your job if you’re the fundraiser!
Today we’re going to look at how to get around these fears, so you can turn reluctant fundraisers into ready ones. Honestly, it’s not rocket science; it’s just not something most of us are taught. Very few people are “natural fundraisers,” so falling back on “some people are good at this; others are not” is neither true nor helpful. Everyone can become good at facilitating philanthropy – once their fears are addressed.
How to Overcome Fear-Based Barriers to Fundraising
It’s the job of a nonprofit’s leadership to work with insiders and stakeholders (staff and volunteers) to help them feel both passionate about the cause and confident in the fundraising process. Below you’ll find some top strategies to address challenges within your own organization so you can transform folks from fearful and reluctant to joyful and ready fundraisers.