What do you do if your fundraising efforts hit a roadblock?

Evaluate your pitch and business plan for weaknesses. Seek feedback from investors to understand their concerns. Consider pivoting your strategy or refining your product-market fit. Build credibility by showcasing milestones achieved. Network extensively to find new investors or angel funding. Explore alternative funding sources like grants or crowdfunding. Stay resilient, learning from setbacks to improve your approach and increase appeal to potential investors.

This may happen at times, so to get the fundraiser back on track, 1. Identify issues and adapt strategy. 2. Gather feedback from donors and supporters. 3. Find alternative methods and untapped market 4. Use our network to reach new potential donors. 5. Clarify the impact and urgency of our cause. 6. Create a group with close ones who can contribute and support the fundraiser by sharing on social media.

When you encounter obstacles in your fundraising endeavors, it's essential to reassess the initial criteria you set and understand why these challenges are perceived as roadblocks. I recommend adopting an innovative mindset and questioning traditional fundraising approaches to explore alternative avenues for generating revenue. One such example is investigating passive streams of funds, which may offer diverse opportunities for financial support. By thinking creatively and exploring unconventional sources, you can diversify your fundraising strategies and potentially overcome obstacles more effectively.

It's vital to find a fundraising mentor. Fundraising takes a specific skill and your average layperson (even someone as incredible as your CEO or CFO) often doesn't have the necessary skillset to offer coaching or advice that will move the needle in a positive direction. I have multiple people I turn to for advice about different aspects of fundraising. A major donor question? I turn to Dale Berkey or Tim Smith. Monthly donors? I ask Mike Meyers for advice. Having a trusted mentor can help lift your stuck fundraising and turn the campaign into a positive.

We call these bell ringing on our team. You know a struggle? Teams and Zoom often use tech to mute a bell ringing. 🔔🤣 It's crucial for your team to celebrate wins! You get told "no" so often in fundraising, taking a step back and sharing a success with the team helps them have the confidence to continue. What do you celebrate? - A huge life change for the people you serve because of a donor's massive generosity - Hitting revenue budget! - Launch of a new program - A milestone like 5,000 monthly donors - Making it to Friday!

Do your research and ask your community and team members to give feedback, if possible. I've witnessed times when someone with high wealth/capacity has a passion for something completely different than the "ask," yet the fundraiser still tries to pitch the same project. This donor would have loved to partner with the organization in this situation, but the project needed to match their passion. Just because a donor's title matches your project (i.e., a CEO of a new tech company and the project deals with building technology within the org.) does not mean that is where their philanthropy lies. Many people have personal connections to varying fields and give to areas vastly different than their career path. Just food for thought!