By Jill Nilsen

Do these excuses sound familiar?

• “I have a grant application to finish.”
• “I have a meeting across town”.
• “My days are busy with staff and constituent demands.”
• “I’ll get to it next month.”

An important role of an executive director for a nonprofit organization is to raise awareness and money for their organization.  Unfortunately, raising money and awareness are often found at the bottom of a long to do list. 

Here is a suggestion as to how be more deliberative in your fundraising and awareness efforts.

Block off one morning or afternoon a month.  If a half day is not possible, block off two hours. 

Schedule specific activities for each month.  Your finished calendar might look something like this:

• Month 1:   Call donors and thank them for their gifts.
• Month 2:  Visit three donors to talk about a major gift.
• Month 3:   Present a program about your organization to a local service club.
• Month 4:   Develop a stewardship letter focusing on the outcomes of your organization. Send to your donors and friends.         
• Month 5:   Schedule a visit with another non-profit organization to talk about collaborative opportunities.
• Month 6: Outline a possible fundraising/awareness event.
• Month 7: Deliver thank you gifts to major donors.
• Month 8: Host a thank you  open house for your donors.
• Month 9: Visit three donors to talk about a major gift.
• Month 10: Call donors and thank them for their gifts.
• Month 11: Develop a powerful annual solicitation letter.
• Month 12: Present a program about your organization to local religious organizations.

Add the specific activities to your calendar to help you remember how to use the reserved hours.  Make a resolution to commit to the schedule!  At the end of the 12 months, your fundraising and awareness efforts should be positively enhanced!By