Just as spring cleaning helps to clear out old clothes, clutter, and cobwebs from your closet, the same can be applied for your nonprofit organization. During a session at the Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraisking Conference in National Harbor, Md., Janice Raeber, Gina Fromme, and Megan Nichols discussed how they applied style advice from the 1970s to the Lutheran Family and Children’s Services Foundation. In “The Capsule Wardrobe,” the trio discussed how to apply the idea of a capsule wardrobe to fundraising and marketing to create a clear, streamlined approach.

Susie Faux coined the term “Capsule Wardrobe” during the 1970s, referring to a wardrobe built around several timeless staple pieces, alternating in seasonal and trendy pieces. A capsule wardrobe is applicable to any style and allows you to clearly see what your wardrobe is missing. The same idea can be applied to marketing and fundraising.

Some of the items in a fundraising and marketing closet include events, direct mail, social media, and planned giving. Decide what your organization’s staple pieces are and carefully sort through the rest, removing what is no longer contributing to your organization’s mission. Let go of any personal attachments you might have and realize there’s only so much room in your “closet;” there are only so many hours in a day that can be devoted to projects and events.

Once your organization has decided on its core ideas, you can begin “accessorizing” to choose what style you want your organization to have. Some key things to consider are imagery, fonts, colors, and the messaging themes your organization is using.

Using a streamlined and focused approach to fundraising allows your organization to save valuable time and resources, creating a cohesive branding and message to your donors.