Non profits often experience lean months where donations dry up and hard choices have to be made on who to help. This doesn’t have to happen – you can survive and even thrive in the lean months and here is my suggestion on how.
Keep Records
You need to know when your lean times are happening and when you receive an influx of donations. You need you analyze your financial records and see where the peaks and valleys are. You cannot fix the problem until you know where it is.
Do Monthly Gives
Ask donors to sign up for a monthly give. Work with your bank or credit card processor to set up a monthly give program. Most people will sign up for this and then forget that they have it going. This gives you a constant stream of income.
Consider Shifting Your Fundraising Efforts
Can you adjust when your fundraisers happen to have them happen before or during your lean months? You can experiment with smaller events in these seasons. Also, shift the type of fundraiser you are holding. You can reach different audiences with different fundraiser types.
Do Yearly Sponsorships
I have written about this before in this blog but planning ahead and getting yearly sponsorships allows you to budget better and get bigger gives from your corporate partners.
Run Like a Lean Start Up
Do you need the office or can you work remotely and save the overhead? A storage unit can hold items just as well as a storage closet – and they are less expensive. Can you bring in college students to help with projects? Many schools require their students donate time to their community and there are many college organizations that also require service to non profits.
Find the Freebies and Use Them
Many large corporations have programs where they give gift cards and other items to 501(c)3 Charities. Also, consider using a credit card that gives you cash back or points to pay for everything, then immediately pay the card off. You can use that money or the points to get auction items or even items to reward your employees at the Holidays.
You can eliminate your lean times so that your non profits can continue to serve those you are called to help.