THINKING POSITIVE

 

I sit on the Board of two Nonprofits. Last month, one of them was robbed. Thieves broke in during the night and took computer equipment and musical instruments. I think most readers will know first hand how awful this feeling is when it happens to you or to a loved one. So it was with us. Fortunately, we have good insurance and will be made whole financially.

But this incident reminded me of another incident 15 years ago, when I was serving on the Board of a different Nonprofit that was also the victim of a robbery. That Nonprofit was funded primarily by government grants and foundation support, but very little in the way of individual giving. Well, the robbery was in December and the thieves stole a stash of toys collected for the kids this organization had served. The story made its way to the LA Times. The next day the checks started a-coming, small checks of $10 to $50, but hundreds of them, to replace the toys for the kids.

This turned out to be the kick start to the organization’s future individual giving campaigns. The donors were thanked and logged, the organization hired a Director of Development, funded through a grant, and the following year hundred more letters were sent as the public was invited to contribute to the kids during the Christmas season.

I like “lemonade from lemons” stories.  But this story also reminds us that the strongest Nonprofits raise funds from three primary sources:   Government, Foundations and Individuals (which includes corporations). If you’re organization is only funded from, say, two of these sources, and not much from the third, you’re missing out. You already know this. The question is, what would it take to kick start your fundraising in the third area? Or think about this… has it already happened and you just didn’t see it?  If it takes adversity to create opportunity, what can you do to exploit the possibility of individual donations even during the best of times?

On behalf of the whole SingerLewak Nonprofit team I wish you Happy Holidays. And here’s to thinking positive in the New Year!

 

Lewis Sharpstone
Partner & Nonprofit Practice Leader