¿Cómo puedes mantenerte motivado cuando los posibles donantes rechazan tus esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos?

First, I try to remind myself there are many outstanding nonprofits seeking the same dollars. Then, I use this opportunity to build a relationship with the donor. A dream week would be one where I have the time to devote 40 hours to connecting with potential donors whether it's following up to ask questions about a decline in funding or to build a relationship before asking for support. You may discover you didn't connect with a point the donor cares the most about, or maybe they need more clarity about about how your nonprofit impacts an entire community rather than only the population you serve. Taking the time to build relationships will be the greatest thing you can do to improve fundraising successes.

Costumo dizer que a rejeição é um grande trampolin para o aprendizado. Ter escuta ativa e não ser somente reativo é fundamental para captar os insights que servirão de dicas para ajustes necessários para o seu negócio. Desta forma estarás pronto para a próxima rodada de captação.

Firstly, remember that when someone says "not now," they're not necessarily shutting the door completely; it's more of a timing issue. Whenever faced with what seems like a rejection, inquire if you can reconnect after a specified period, like six months. Additionally, seek clarity by asking what conditions would lead to a definitive 'yes' from them. Rejections can be discouraging, no matter how experienced you are in seeking approvals. Consider it a prolonged courtship that demands patience. Once you align and establish mutual understanding, the relationship can be fruitful and enduring.

Instead of wallowing in "why me?" land, flip the script! Use rejection as a detective's magnifying glass. Did your pitch need some polish? Maybe their priorities lay elsewhere. Every "no" whispers potential insights, hidden pathways to a stronger fundraising strategy. Think of it as feedback, not failure. Did you miss a key point? Can you tailor your approach to resonate better next time? Maybe a fresh angle is waiting to be uncovered. Remember, a closed door doesn't mean the whole building's locked.

Apart from celebrating the wins it is important to track the conversion rates like what’s the percentage of Yes received after outreaching to X number of donors. Secondly, what is the % of donations received after receiving X number of Yes. Tracking KPIs like these will help you and the team understand that how many Nos they will receive before getting a Yes and a donation.

It's a common refrain to hear, "Don't take it personally," but when your work feels deeply personal, it's challenging to separate emotions from outcomes. Having a supportive network who comprehends and empathizes with your challenges is invaluable. I've invested immense effort and passion into numerous grant proposals only to face disappointments when they weren't funded. On such occasions, I found it necessary to take a breather and connect with my colleagues in Programs for a rejuvenating boost before diving back into crafting the next proposal.

And learning can sometimes come directly from the voice of refusal. Oftentimes a refusal will come with a statement along the lines of "We cannot offer further guidance at this time." And I understand why, foundations receive so many applications it would be unrealistic to get back to them all! But occasionally, they are open to providing feedback, and generally it never hurts to ask. I have received excellent feedback from many funders on the reasoning for the refusal or advice on how we could strengthen our ask to other organizations. There are also excellent networks, podcasts, blog posts, and more that you can find online to learn from. I've enjoyed some by Joan Garry with the Nonprofit Leadership Lab.