Fundraising during Election Week??!!??

(revised briefly, 11/1/24) Should be an interesting week, right?

But, if you are a fundraiser – and particularly if you focus on social justice, immigration, poverty, education or environmental issues – it’s likely one of your most important fundraising weeks of this crazy, crazy year.

Why?

Because this election, no matter who wins, will impact your work, likely very significantly. So take advantage of the results – and your interpretation of them – right away.

If you do no other fundraising this week, prep and send your best email appeal to your friends, supporters and constituents. Tell them how Tuesday’s results will impact your mission and your work. Even if official results linger, prep and send out the best appeal you can craft by Sunday.

How? Follow a few basic guidelines:

1. Develop and hone 2-4 points about how election results will impact your mission and work.

2. Spend a sentence or two on how challenging 2024 has been.

3. Consider – strongly – acknowledging that your reader may have donated to a particular political party or campaign. Message that this next step of now donating to your organization leverages and further activates their political investment.

4. Make sure you have your best voice “author” this email. Is it you, a well-known Board member, someone your mission serves, or an alum of your organization signing?

And, as always, remember basic fundraising email rules:

• Actually ask for money (yes, sometimes folks forget to ask!) Link to your Donate button or fundraising campaign.

• Craft an eye-grabber subject line.

• Personalize as best your CRM/database enables … Dear Rick is WAY better then Dear Friend.

• Include how those not donating can support your work. Link to how your reader can Volunteer - Sign up for your newsletter - Join your social channels. Encourage them to do so.

• Be brief and concise. 3-5 paragraphs at the most.

• Send the email on your best day/time for open rates. If you don’t know when that is, first try Sunday mornings.

• If your CRM can track, resend to those who do not open the first send 48 hours later, though in the evening if the first send was in the morning, or vice-versa.

Good luck, and most of all, keep grinding. Fundraising is hard, but if your work and organization is sound, it’s also a challenge you can meet.

Also, don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

And whether you are a client of Rising Tide or not, and even if you don’t have resources now for a consultant, if I can help in any way with a fundraising idea or problem you are struggling with please reach out. You can find me at rick@ristid.com.