Mission Focus!
The Calm in This Economic Storm

Why is mission focus critical to your organization? Got any great fundraising ideas these days? Let’s face it. If you listen to the news too much these days you’re bound to panic or at least feel a little less than optimistic. This isn’t the best time to be fundraising. Or is it?

One of the best fundraising strategies is to remain true to your organization’s mission. “Mission Focus” is the ultimate strategy. The mission of your organization is it’s reason for being. Another way to look at it is to understand why your organization exists and what purpose (or need) you meet in your community or society in general.

Your mission reflects the group’s core values, goals and ideals. A non profit without a clear mission becomes diluted, ineffective and usually not relevant for long.

You and every member of your organization including board members, volunteers and staff should be able to describe your “reason for being” in what is sometimes called an “elevator speech” (in other words can you explain the mission of your organization in the time it may take for a short elevator ride?)

An organization with a strong mission will be relevant in good times and in bad. Being able to articulate and laser beam focus your activities on that mission will motivate your staff, volunteers and donors. Mission focus doesn’t waste time and precious dwindling resources on distracting activities.

So, you may ask yourself – what should we focus on during tough economic times? Here are the “back to basics” that deserve your attention now:

Mission Focus

Say it with me…FOCUS ON YOUR MISSION. The core of why you exist as an organization. Forget the noise and fluff right now. Are you a food bank, church, environmental group, school, a social service organization, civic group, or library? What is your core mission focus? Well, sometimes tough choices have to be made that aren’t truly mission specific. Prioritizing expenses, sequencing or delaying new initiatives or downsizing may be the leadership choices you must make in order to preserve your organization. Communicating to volunteers and staff is also critical during tough times so that everyone understands it isn’t “business as usual” and together with everyone's help your organization will make it through to better times.

Deepen and Cultivate Relationships

Now is a great time to remind your supporters of the good work you are doing. Phone calls, positive stories on your website and newsletters and donor visits will all reinforce that the work of you non profit organization is relevant and necessary. Without your donors and supporters help you couldn’t do what you do. Remind them that you are still here and thank them!

Ask!

Yes, everyone is feeling this unprecedented economic roller coaster. But this ISN’T the time to be timid. You still must ask for support. It is important though NOT to bring up the state of the economy in an overt or "doom and gloom" fashion. That is sure way to make your potential donors rethink their gift. Remember (see point #1 above) remind your donors and potential donors of your mission. Period.

Volunteers Are Everywhere!
During this time of economic uncertainty many people out of work are turning to non-profits to offer their skills. Volunteer opportunities with your non-profit offer many valuable options for folks who may find themselves temporarily out of work. Also, if you have had to lay staff off, volunteers can bridge the gap.

• First, volunteering makes them feel useful (and hopeful!).
• Secondly, the jobs that you may have to offer keeps their skills sharp. You may even offer the opportunity to learn something new.
• Finally, people who volunteer for your organization now and see your mission from the inside will more likely respond favorably when asked to support your organization financially in the future when they are employed.

Embrace Best Practices

The basics of fundraising don’t change all that much over time. Having a well managed organization with a strong mission doing outstanding work is typically the only formula for fundraising success. And the MOST important ingredient is passion. Without passion your organization simply will not thrive.

Remember, fundraising and the economy are cyclical and always will be. The current roller coaster ride will end. The question is, will your organization be ready for the next one?

Return from Mission Focus to Fundraising Strategies