In 2004, I wrote a book on using the internet as a fundraising tool, www.fundraising. It was before the advent of social media and was speculative. I based the book on using tried-and-tested fundraising methods, principles and practices, but online. I had to get some input from people way more tech-savvy than I was! But I did know fundraising.
I was invited to a live radio interview about the new book. I was nervous in case I was asked something too technical on a live show.
But I had no questions on matters technical! Phew!
In retrospect, I think that the interviewer was also technologically challenged. Her questions were therefore focused on fundraising in general. Her opening query was around the characteristics of a good fundraiser. I was so relieved at not being asked a technical question that I heard myself saying, “Knowing what’s going on in the world.”
Successful fundraisers must follow the media. This is made easier with online news, but be careful which media one follows. There is way too much fake news and tabloid sensationalism out there.
I have had some excellent fundraising success (as in raising lots of money) after reading useful information in newspapers. These were not calls for funding but news on which I was able to base successful fundraising initiatives.
Other invaluable traits that make a winning fundraiser are being entrepreneurial, innovative and creative. And of course they need to be very hard-working. Fundraising is not 9 to 5. Fundraisers are never off duty. Successful fundraisers should always be looking out for opportunities for their organisations.
Being extremely well organised and productive help immensely too.
Aside from the above soft skills, it is imperative that fundraisers hone their English writing skills. This takes time and practice. Write, rewrite and rewrite. I don’t think that I have ever submitted a proposal that I have not gone over at least fifteen times in order to produce the best possible document.
