Tag: coaching

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Is it Time to Change Why You Fundraise?

As your organization evolves, you may find that traditional community fundraisers are no longer enough to meet your growing financial needs. Does that mean it’s time to stop fundraising altogether? Absolutely not! The key is shifting the why and the how behind your fundraising efforts.

Here’s the truth: Fundraising is about so much more than just money—it’s about building a community that believes in your mission. Here are a few ideas on hot to transform your fundraising strategy:

Shift from just fundraising to Community-Building�Use your fundraisers as opportunities to build support for your cause. Get people involved — let them feel connected to your mission and become long-term advocates. It is also an opportunity to do sometime your whole team, volunteers, and clients who will all have to work together.

Involve people in your journey—let them see YOU�Your smaller fundraisers can be much more than a simple event—they can become gatherings that engage your community, raise awareness, and foster connections. People want to support something they believe in, but they also want to connect with the individuals behind the cause. Use fundraisers to share your story, your challenges, and your victories.

Expand your reach—both locally and digitally�Building community isn’t just about in-person connections; it’s about expanding your social media presence and connecting with a broader audience. You can use events to grow your social media reach by getting people to follow, engage with online content, contests, and more.��

Online fundraisers are also powerful tools, but they should be crafted in a way that encourages people to share them. Make your campaigns shareable by telling a compelling story, using visuals, and clearly explaining why your cause matters. Ask your supporters to spread the word—and make it easy for them by creating content they can easily share with their networks.

Done right, you can turn every fundraiser into a community event that drives awareness, engagement, and a real connection to your mission. By shifting your strategy, you’re not only raising funds but also creating a movement that brings people together for a common cause.

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Dream to the Size of Your Dreams

We have several large-scale youth and family centers opening, being built, and in the planning stages here in Cape Breton. It took an incredible amount of work by countless individuals, hundreds of meetings, thousands of hours of effort, and sheer persistence.

However, not everyone may be aware of the ‘sparks’ that made this possible. The first spark was the need itself. The situation was dire, with rising addiction levels and a tragic number of youth and young adults losing their lives.

But another spark occurred. An old friend reached out to me with the ability to offer financial support on a scale I had never imagined. He asked, “If we could do anything for our community, what would we do?” To be honest, I had always considered myself a dreamer… or so I thought.

We began discussing this question with friends and community members. Once we removed the constraints from our thinking, our dreams evolved. Up to that point, my aspirations for the next year were limited by what we could realistically achieve. Maybe we could add a little something, tweak our approach, grow incrementally, and hopefully secure some new funding. But dreaming big, on the scale of the need, seemed like fantasy.

In this new context, we started to articulate what community transformation could truly look like. We considered the resources required to address the problem at its core.

I believe we all dream of what could be—the things we genuinely hope for. However, reality often dims the hope that such dreams could be possible, leading us to operate within a smaller, more constrained vision based on past experiences.

Here’s the kicker: after years of planning and discussion, my friend did not come through with the funding. We received zero dollars. That might sound devastating, but it wasn’t. It was disappointing, but it was too late to halt the progress we had made. By beginning to dream and articulate a real, practical, and hopeful vision, we started to attract the funding we needed.

When I think about change-makers, I believe their ability to dream is what sets them apart. They envision possibilities beyond current limitations and refuse to let past constraints dictate their aspirations.

After this experience, I now believe it is crucial to sit down with your team or organization and dream without limits. Imagine what you could achieve without the constraints of present realities. It is in this space of bold dreaming and vocalizing ideas that people will rally behind them, and funding is more likely to follow.

Not all dreams will come true, and even this journey was fraught with years of work, struggles, doubts, and burnout. But dreaming is the only way to pave the path to a new and better future for the people you serve.

So, dream to the size of your Dreams

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Warning: Build Sustainability or Risk Hurting Your Non-Profit

My community, like many others, is littered with remnants of past projects left to fall apart—a recurring issue across various sectors. I’ve witnessed large-scale government-funded youth projects receive millions, only to disappear soon after funding dried up. Similarly, numerous churches and community centers expand ambitiously, only to struggle financially with higher ongoing expenses.

While securing large donations and grants can be immensely beneficial, they can also potentially sink your non-profit or faith community.

Over a decade ago, I received invaluable advice on creating sustainability. At the time, our organization had just acquired significant funding earmarked for expanding our building. With differing opinions among members on its use, seeking external guidance was crucial.

The consultant pointed out that more space meant new programs, opportunities, and long-term bills. He challenged us to invest a portion of the funds in income-generating initiatives, cost reduction strategies, and enhancements that would boost sustainability—not just in completing our building. We followed his advice, making our space more accessible to the public, increasing rentable areas, and adding features to attract new participants.

Think of it this way: getting a puppy isn’t just one decision; it’s a commitment to countless decisions, financial adjustments, and hard work. Yet, the joy and companionship it brings make it worthwhile for years to come.

To build a truly successful non-profit over the long term, integrating sustainability into your fundraising and growth strategies is essential. Otherwise, you risk falling into recurring pitfalls. It’s crucial to ask the tough questions: Will new funds this year lead to unforeseen costs next year? What happens when a grant for new staff or programs expires?

This concept might be new to many, but it’s prudent to factor in costs and expenses into your fundraising budgets that mitigate ongoing financial burdens associated with growth. This approach becomes even more critical with larger donations, grants, or expansions.

If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable fundraising practices, please visit thefundingcoach.ca.

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Funding Lesson #24 – Build a Case for Support

I have been involved with skateboarding for almost four decades and have helped raise funds for multiple parks, ramps, and events. It has always been a huge passion, and I am very excited to be involved with two skateboard projects right now that are building parks and ramps in Nova Scotia.

This post is just an introduction to this concept, with more to follow over the next few weeks. I often get asked these questions about raising funds: “Where do we even start?” and “How do we build support?” Whether you are just starting out or an older non-profit that is expanding, there is one common answer: Build a ‘Case for Support’.

Non-profits begin because passionate people are trying to meet urgent needs. We need to find funds quickly and consistently. It is not easy to get funding, and it’s easy to get frustrated when it doesn’t happen. However, a significant reason it may be difficult could be that your organization has never taken the time to build a case for support.

A case for support presents a compelling vision for what can be achieved. It involves articulating credible reasons why people, supporters, levels of government, or donors should trust you with their funds.

By building a case for support, you will need to articulate things like:

What is the need?

How can the need be met?

How can you provide the solution?

What is the cost?

Who are you? (Do you have the ability to fulfill this dream?)

So, back to skateboarding. I am attaching a case for support put together by the Lawrencetown Skatepark Project. It is a great example of what building a case of support can look like.

Having a case for support allows you to share your vision with a much larger group. It helps communicate on a greater level and opens doors to funders who will only support groups that have done their homework. It provides clear direction and a clear ask.

Furthermore, a bonus is that when your team works on a case of support together, it brings unity of purpose. It also informs your whole team of the goals and needs, and everyone can contribute to making your non-profit succeed.

If you would like to discuss how to build a ‘Case for Support’, please contact the funding coach.

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Funding Lesson #23 – Making Money Make Money


Have you ever wondered why some organizations seem to receive a higher amount of grants, donations, and large-scale gifts, while others struggle? There are several factors that can lead to this, such as the right team members, a clear vision, and just hard work.
One very important, and less understood, factor, however, is that some organizations have learned to leverage funds to get more funds. This is just a short group of ideas on learning funds to get more funds.


Here is one example. Most municipal, provincial, or federal grants, plus many foundations, will only fund 40-50% of a project. Some organizations never apply for certain funding because they don’t believe they will be able to cover the rest.
However, this is where a fund strategy can help. One where you move from thinking single grants/donations to the big picture.


It is amazing how fundraising can change if you know that if you can raise $25,000, you can use that to be eligible for a grant and double your funds for a project. People give more when they know their funds will go further.


It is also a perfect time to bring all levels of government together and challenge them to find a way to help. You can use $50,000 from a provincial fund to cover the 50% of what you need for a federal grant, to get $50,000. The principle can be applied, however, no matter what the grant or funding is.


When people know their funds will go further, it is a huge incentive to give. This principle is not only about grants but also with donors. If someone was willing to donate $10,000 to your organization, then this is the perfect time to run a matching campaign. One where you challenge people to give, and if you reach a goal of $10,000, then it will be matched.
This is a way to increase giving but also to attract bigger donors and donations. Why does it work? If a large donor sees that your organization is not just asking for money but is asking everyone to chip in and do their part, plus is putting in their own effort, it is an incentive to give higher amounts as their gift is creating more giving.

So it may seem some organizations are just lucky, or are liked more, or have special connections, and receive more funding. While there may be pieces of that which are true, it is also very possible for an organization to learn how to do this. Yes, it is work, it is networking, but it starts with a funding plan. One that looks at the big picture and sees how the pieces can be put together. One that understands that your money can make money.


If your organization would like help in creating a funding strategy, why not reach out to the funding coach?

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Funding Lesson #22 – Develop the Skill of Asking

Asking for help is tough, both in our personal and professional lives. You may hate asking for directions so much that you will just stay lost. Asking can feel embarrassing for some people, as it exposes that we have a need.

‘You don’t have because you don’t ask.’ This, of course, is taken from scripture, but it is very true in all situations. Your organization will never have what it needs to operate if people are not aware of what you need, and if no one is ever asked.

Letting our needs be known can, of course, happen in many ways: word of mouth, social media, emails, mail-outs, and our staff/volunteers. However, this is one skill that will help your organization go farther. It is the ‘Skill of Asking.’

I remember sitting in a meeting just a few years ago, where we were trying to put funding together with multiple levels of government and departments. We had an amount we needed to be matched. There was discussion on smaller amounts being given. At one point, I had to clearly state what we needed. We needed six million dollars.

Later, it was confirmed that the money was going to be given for the project, which is amazing. The truth is if no one clearly asked for that amount, it may never have been given. Someone needs to ask.

This, in no way, means if you just ask people for donations, support, or volunteers, that you will get it. That is why asking is a skill that needs to be developed. Here are just a few pieces of what asking means:

1 – The willingness to be upfront with people about your needs.

2 – You have to be ready to back up your request with data and some proof you can put this help to good use and create a result.

3 – You have to learn when is the right time, place, and person to ask.

4 – You have to build relationships and trust.

5 – You have to be okay hearing ‘No’ and move on.

When I see organizations that are doing well long-term, there is usually someone in the organization who has learned to ASK.

If you would like to explore developing a funding strategy, including how to ASK, why not reach out to the funding coach?

www.thefundingcoach.ca

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This June I am taking on new Clients

What is ‘The Funding Coach’? Here is the simple answer: I am helping nonprofits, faith communities, and organizations build sustainable funding plans so they can serve their communities in greater and more consistent ways.

Over the past decade, I have helped raise over twenty-five million dollars in community development projects and received over 150 grants for charities I was working with. I have taught fundraising classes at events, colleges, and universities.

For the past decade, I took on the responsibility to raise funds for my own local community projects. However, as the Funding Coach, I am now taking on the role of helping other individuals, groups, and organizations fulfill their dreams to serve their own communities.

On top of coaching, I am part of a group representing the public to address Mental Health and Addiction issues in the Eastern Zone in NS. It has been a long-term passion to see addiction and poverty rates decrease while community health grows.

This has led me to be a proponent of the Iceland/Planet Youth strategy. I have done 100+ presentations, consultations, and strategy building sessions on how organizations can work together to create community transformations.

If your organization needs to:

– Create a sustainable plan to fund your organization.

– Develop a strategy to create long-term change and create a ‘Case for Support.’

– Create better giving systems.

– Learn how to apply for grants.

– Raise short-term funds for a project.

– Or, you just need help with fundraising, encouragement, and a positive mentor.

Then why not contact me about how we can work together to help your organization? I want to save you time, help you increase support, and help you serve better.

You can sign up for our newsletter at www.thefundingcoach.ca or follow and receive free regular fundraising lessons at https://www.facebook.com/thefundingcoachonline

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Funding Lesson 21 – Learn How People Give. It is Changing, Fast

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How people use money is changing. In one recent study, it was found that only 31% of Canadians use cash for day-to-day transactions. Another finding shows that in the last 6 years, the amount of cash used for day-to-day use has dropped by 59%. This trend is going to continue. Cash likely will never disappear, but its use is on the decline.

You may or may not be like me, but I rarely use cash, or even my debit cards, as I primarily use my phone for all in-person and online purchases. When I go to the grocery store, events, or the mall, there are always someone fundraising or selling tickets. For a person like me, I never donate or purchase what is being sold, as I no longer carry cash.

This can be relevant to those raising funds through fundraisers, as if you are only accepting cash, you are stopping a large majority of people from donating or buying. However, this is not just about cash. It is about understanding how people give. People generally give in the easiest way possible. It is up to us to create giving systems that are easy and open to everyone.

One concern I have heard over the years from many charities is that adopting an online giving platform will cost them a small percentage of each donation. That can range from 2-5% of donations. However, that is flawed thinking. In reality, if you focus on online or electronic giving to those not currently giving, then you are getting 95% of funds from donors you were never going to have.

In a day when a large majority of people prefer not to give by cash, or any complicated method, it may be time to look at two things about your giving system: 1 – Is giving accessible to everyone? 2 – Are our giving systems as simple as possible?

Addressing our giving systems needs to happen on a regular basis. The ways people give, the types of currencies / methods are changing drastically this decade. So as non profits we don’t want to be on the losing end because we limit donations.

If you are looking for more help on creating easy giving systems and are interested in learning how to increase giving to your organization or non-profit, please contact the funding coach.

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Funding Lesson #20Building Trust Through Social Media

This may be shocking to those leading or involved with nonprofits, but one recent research study found that only 52% of Americans trust nonprofit organizations. Fears of overspending, stories of highly paid CEOs, or mismanagement of funds have chipped away at people’s trust. This can be disheartening, as it means that whatever campaign, promotion, or media you put out, it will be immediately rejected by some people.

However, I believe this is also a huge opportunity. This is where we can use social media to build something powerful. It is TRUST.

We can think social media is only about promotion, how we ask for help, or as part of a fundraising campaign. That is a mistake.

‘What if you used your social media, in part, to consistently let people see that you do what you say you do?’

This lets supporters, and future supporters, see the results of their giving, their volunteering, and support. It lets them know their contributions are really doing something, and your team is worth investing in.

Trust is built by being consistent. It is not about the spectacular. It is letting people know they can count on your organization to fulfill the mission you are a part of.

Most organizations do some form of strategy when it comes to social media. It may be time to think about what ‘Building Trust’ looks like as part of your plan. Doing so will increase the effectiveness of future campaigns and the search for volunteers and supporters.

To learn more about building trust through social media, please contact us at the Funding Coach.

www.thefundingcoach.ca

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Funding Lesson 13 – Build Your Donor’s Story

As organizations we understand the power of storytelling. We share tales of resilience, compassion, and transformation – the essence of our collective journey. Yet, there’s another crucial narrative unfolding: YOUR donors’ stories.

Every contribution is more than a transaction; it’s a chapter in their personal story of impact. Your supporters are not just giving; they’re investing in a narrative they couldn’t write alone. The reality is, not everyone can physically be on the front lines, but through their support, they become the unseen heroes of change.

Let’s collaborate in crafting a meaningful narrative for your donors. Help them articulate their unique role in making a difference. From the student receiving education to the community gaining access to vital resources, every story matters.

Here’s the power in it: by aiding your donors in building their story, we amplify the impact of their generosity. Their involvement becomes a part of a collective tale of positive change, a narrative that transcends geographical boundaries.

As we showcase the incredible work of our teams, volunteers, and the lives touched by our mission, let’s shine a spotlight on the silent architects of change – your donors. Together, we’ll weave a tapestry of stories that not only inspires but also ignites a ripple effect of goodwill.

Join us in this narrative-building journey, where every supporter becomes an integral character in the story of global transformation. Their commitment is more than a donation; it’s a testament to the belief that change is possible, one story at a time.