Fundraising in an economy provides unique challenges for nonprofit organizations. The bad news is that you will find many doors that have historically been open to you suddenly closed. The good news is that the most effective fund-raising is still capable of raising funds. The first is understanding that your organization should include a fund-raising economy is not a question of yes or no. While you may not take any resources that have historically contributed to the organization, this does not mean that funds are not replaceable. To be effective, must rethink their assumptions, broadening its scope and its approach to fund-raising efforts with a clean slate. By adopting these measures are the opportunities in places never before considered.

This article offers 10 tips to maximize their fundraising efforts in a soft economy. These tips come directly from the organizations and funds that have demonstrated the ability to consistently meet or exceed fundraising goals in soft economies. We hope these tips will help your organization grow during these difficult times.

1. Focusing on the needs Prospect: In difficult times the organizations that make the most convincing case for funding support. RALs as Tom says in his book The ROI for nonprofits, “When investors are showing that their money is making a difference and your investment is paying off, they are more likely to keep investing.”

1. Coincides with the perspective of the message: This sounds similar to # 1, but it is something different. Once you have developed a case of support in difficult times is more important than ever that you match your message to each prospect. Remember the 80/20 rule. 20% of organizations are going to get 80% of the dollars available. Those who win are those with a case of support is more important for each perspective.

1. Expand your network: This is the time to analyze the current list of prospects and expand it. Each organization has a company, foundation, and potential donors who have never been properly applied for support. Do not limit your chances of assuming that it can not expand their base.

2. Know your industry: Historically speaking, in soft economies are significantly affected some industries, while others see only a minimal effect. It is important to understand when approaching prospects. Failure to understand the importance of this concept can greatly impact your return. We once had a business executive in a medium sized organization has the following story: “I’ve had this type represents a local museum to see me about getting involved in the recession of the early 90’s. Before I came quite receptive. For the time they had spent the first ten minutes of our meeting talking about how bad the economy was no longer interested me. “Just so happened that the executive of the company was only marginally affected by the economy and the presenter’s assumptions caused the conversation spiral downhill. Do not assume that things are bad everywhere. Do your homework before going in.

3. Know Your Foundations: understanding the historical trend of the foundations in your community can lead to large commitments. Regardless of economic cycles, many foundations are required to give an amount of money each year. Understanding of each foundation to standards will result in an increase in funding for their organization.

4. Long-term approach: even organizations who struggle to understand the cycles of the economy and improve with time. Often, the savings in soft, non-profit organizations can purchase 4-5 pledge from even the most economically affected businesses. History shows that effective investor / program relationships with donors over 95% of these long-term commitments are met for the duration of the commitment, which makes this a very effective tool to use during difficult economic times.

5. Keep in mind: Although we have discovered that money can get a bit more “no” in an economy can still achieve objectives through the funding generally good campaign strategy. It may take more “calls” or most creative and effective which normally would, but their fundraising efforts may yet succeed. Keep the end result in mind. Adequate funding of their program or project is what really matters.

6. Do it now: Too many organizations delay reflexively fundraising efforts because of the economic cycle. Our research has found that this is the wrong choice to make in almost all cases. If one takes into account the dollars you are trying to increase the real impact of economic forces and competition in the market, it is usually best to go ahead with its fundraising initiative instead of delaying. In many cases the slow economy makes the competition for money in the market to decrease substantially, which really throws the balance of dollars available for organizations call on their behalf.

7. Do not interrupt an “In Progress” fundraising initiative: When interrupting a fundraising initiative in mid process makes it much more damage than you think. First, that negatively affect your brand. Many people who called during the feasibility study or which have been cultivated at the beginning of the campaign’s efforts should not be left hanging. If you do not receive a response from you that something is wrong with the organization and may be less likely to respond favorably in the way. Moreover, a key element of most of the winners is the projection of successful campaigns and creating momentum. Nothing kills momentum emissions or imminent failure to call a timeout. Any small advantage that can be gained by waiting for an improved economic climate would be outweighed by the enormous strategic and psychological obstacles of trying to re-open a previously abandoned effort.

8. Be positive: Often, the use of languages within an organization leaders dictate the tone of fundraising and other efforts. Sage Labs recently conducted extensive research on the impact of the economy as a fundraising charity and found that the major difference between the organizations that follow the achievement of its objectives and that was not the attitude of the management. Organizations that achieve better results saw the economy as a challenge could be overcome. Those who receive most of the importance that the economy would have on their fundraising efforts was a far greater impact on their profits. It is a self fulfilling prophecy. Stay positive and you’ll see better results.