There are two sites that I think are exceptional in talking about donor cultivation and building meaningful, ethical relationships with donors that lead to long-term support. These two resources can help move your program’s mindset away from “Where is that magical list of people/corporations/foundations that might donate to my organization” – which, by the way, does not exist – and, instead, move to creating much more effective, ongoing strategies for attracting support and new supporters. Taking time to read these free blogs once a week is as good as attending any conference or workshop regarding fundraising for nonprofits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities, schools, community projects, etc.

One site is made up of excellent communications / outreach resources from Philanthropy Without Borders regarding donor site visits, empathy and ethics in fundraising and how to make the “big ask” during a site visit. Two of my favorite articles:

• 5 tips to collect meaningful, even critical feedback about your organization and its work. This is talking about field trips in developing countries, but it’s completely applicable to any community anywhere.

• What Could Go Wrong? Common Cultural Challenges on Donor Trips: Visitor Edition. This is regarding bringing donors to developing countries to see the results of their funding. It talks about preparing for and preventing emotional meltdowns (yes, it happens), cultural faux pas and bias (usually unintended), and donor/visitor on-site “help” that hurts. This is an article related to the challenges from the staff point of view.

Another terrific resource: blogs by blogs by Mary Cahalane (Hands-On Fundraising). Mary has been a very successful fundraiser and believes strongly on cultivating relationships with donors, not just asking for money. She talks a lot about making emotional connections with donors and other supporters and about ethics in managing fundraising staff.

• One of my favorite of Mary’s blogs is one on how the fundraising staff should not be segregated from the rest of the staff (she uses the American phrasing for fundraising – development – which can be confusing for international folks who use that word for something entirely different).

• Mary also offers this gem from her Ultimate Guide on Donor Experience: We need to avoid focusing on the quick transactions and the shiny objects that are cropping up and begging for our attention. Without proper stewardship of both our donors and the data that represents them, we will never be able to perform our responsibilities and deliver on the promise of our mission.

Also see:F

• Funding for Technology
• Nonprofits & NGOs: you MUST give people a way to donate online
• Don’t Just Ask for Money!
• Mission-Based Groups Need Use the Web to Show Accountability
  
• Crowdfunding for Nonprofits, NGOs, Schools, Etc.: How To Do It Successfully
  
• Basic Fundraising for Small NGOs serving the developing world