Fundraising a situational activity

Nonprofits want to get the best use they can out of volunteers, but the situation becomes even more important when organizations are recruiting volunteers and volunteer leaders for fundraising campaigns.

Speaking during the AFP International Conference on Fundraising, Larry Crouch and Mark Moshier, development specialist and team leader, respectively, of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) discussed pointers about recruiting and utilizing fundraising volunteers. Referring to the BSA’s community campaign manual, they said that the recruitment of sufficient, qualified volunteer leadership on or before predetermined deadline dates is the single most important element of the annual campaign process.

They also suggested:

• Recruit in person. A deeper commitment is usually secured.
• Recruit as a team, with the campaign director and a natural partner.
• Communicate what is expected.
• Use a job description if necessary.

They then suggested that the best fundraising volunteers fit the following profile:

• Ability to give a significant gift.
• Ability to manage and lead people.
• Complete projects on time.
• Successful recruiter and delegator.
• Believes in the mission and the need to provide resources for growth.
• Able to articulate those beliefs.
• Active (but not overused) in the community, knows financial base and leaders of the community.
• Possesses the qualities (with a successful campaign experience) to serve on the steering committee next year.