Raising Money
Most organizations do not function seasonally but seem to make raising money a seasonal focus. Thereby creating donor fatigue during the November and December months. I have received 19 solicitation since I began counting November 1st. I have kept three to think about and one I sent a donation.
The one pattern I have begun to use to separate among nonprofits are those that have large endowments and pay large salaries to its management compare to those that have low salaries and little or no endowment.
Harvard University will get no donations until they stop using loans in the financial aid packages for many students.
Salvation Army has one of the largest endowments and does not report its information via guidestar or as a 501 c 3. It hides behind the fact that churches arenot required to file a 990.
Red Cross pays lots of high end salaries and is too general on what services they actually provided in a state. I got the neighbor solicitation, while I would support my neighbor and community, the Red Cross solicitation does not keep it local. There are plenty of local groups that will better serve the effort.
So what’s an organization to do? Be specific about whom your going to serve, the outcome your trying to achieve, and communicate more often then once a year.
