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Fundraising by Multiplication Tables Not Adding Up

One common mistake among those new to not-for-profits is trying to reach a fundraising goal by dividing it by the number of likely donors and then asking everyone to contribute the same amount.

So says the not-for-profit resource, GuideStar, which asserts that you can’t, for example, raise $1 million by asking 1,000 people to give $1,000 each.

For one thing, some people won’t donate anything. Also, if you’re asking everyone to donate the same amount, some people, who see themselves as less wealthy than others in the drive, will think it’s unfair. Plus, asking everyone to make a $1,000 pledge sets a cap, discouraging anyone who would have been generous enough to donate more. To read about 19 other common fundraising mistakes, go to www.guidestar.org.

This publication is part of Blackman Kallick’s marketing of professional services, and is not written tax advice directed at the specific facts and circumstances of any person and/or entity. Contents of this publication are of a general nature, and you should not act on this information without obtaining professional advice from your business advisor that is appropriately tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. This written advice is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.