I’m not talking about selling cookies or coupon books. I’m talking about raising real cash to make real progress.

1. Get emotional: The frustrating part about raising money is that logic doesn’t work. Appeal to donors’ emotional side and they’ll open their wallets.
2. Say Thank you: If you want them back and to donate more next time, you had better say thank you.
3. Communicate: Make it easy for your donor base to receive communication from you. Let them know the human interest stories from within your program.
4. Build personal relationships: In addition to #3, contact large donors and prospects personally to build the relationship.
5. Immortalize donors: Put their name on a brick, a locker, a plaque or just your website.
6. Get over it and make the ask: You heard me.