5 Tips for a Super Sleuth Fundraiser

05 Mar 5 Tips for a Super Sleuth Fundraiser

Being a fundraiser is like being a detective: you’re always on the hunt for the real story, the real impact that your organization has on the world.

This post originally appeared in Hilborn Charity e-news.

What you see on the surface is rarely what’s really going on. It may look like a program that helps young mothers complete their high school diplomas, but under the surface it’s an empowerment program that helps women find their path in the world.

Things get murkier under the surface. Here are 5 tips to help you become a rock star fundraising sleuth so you can wade through the mystery and raise more money for your mission.

1. Be curious. People rarely share a juicy impact nugget unprompted. Take the time to ask questions, probe, and lean into a meaningful conversation. If the answer feels superficial, keep digging.
2. Treat everyone as an ally. When you’re seeking information, assume that everyone is on your side. Be friendly to others and assume that they will be friendly back. When you hit resistance to share something meaningful (and you will), do the opposite of backing away: engage and lean in to understand what’s really going on.
3. Bring your notebook. Write everything down. Names, connections, passions—everything! You never know until the mystery is being solved what will be important. Write down follow-up questions that you want to ask. Make lists of other people that you want to interview. Everything is interlinked, if you take the time to notice.
4. Look in unusual places. Have you talked to reception lately? These front-line staffers hold the key for information and stories. Be creative and seek out unusual situations, events and people in the pursuit of truth.
5. Find your heroes. Every charity has people who do amazing things because of their passion for the cause. Find them, get to know them, and create ways to bring them into the fold. They will become your secret detectives, your Watsons to your Sherlock. And they will be loyal to your cause. Forever.