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| Dear “Volunteer Callers” Colleague, Scare away the solicitation fright, by helping volunteers participate in a a “thank-a-thon” as described in this issue of On-The-Go eTA. In addition, study the advantages of using the telephone to raise funds in addition to learning tips on how to organize a phonathon. Do you have questions about thank-a-thons and phonathons? Any other needs? Contact us through LEADline@CampaignConsultation.com. Access previous issues of On-the-Go eTA by clicking on the title at the right. Phone-a-thon volunteers often hear the complaint, “The only time you contact me is when you want my money.” A ‘thank-a-thon is one way to make contact with your donors in a way that focuses on them and not your needs. In Seattle, the YMCA uses their volunteer teen members to stage a “thank-a-thon.” Instead of asking for dollars during phone calls, they thank donors. The young people are satisfied to be able to give of their time share their personal “Y” story as they hone their speaking skills. “Y” donors look forward to the calls and enjoy hearing the young voices. Donors are also pleased to know that the YMCA value their donations and are more likely to give again at a possibly increased amount. Pleasantly surprise your donors and schedule a “thank-a-thon” using a small but effective group of volunteers. Donors are often grateful and even amazed that they are not being asked to give another gift. Thank-a-thons are also good learning mechanism to help volunteers get comfortable talking about your program which is key to successful solicitation.
Advantages of Using the Telephone to Raise Funds Although face-to-face solicitation has the highest rate of response at about 50%, requesting support over the phone is second highest at approximately 11 – 25%. Here’s why:
Tips for Organizing a Phonathon Whether you are a small program or a large organization, you can organize a group of volunteers to help you raise funds. In fact, even though there are companies you can pay to run your telephone marketing program, volunteers are perceived as having no conflict of interest. They are authentic and can make that personal approach like no one else. To start, you need a database with easily accessible phone numbers. If you are just beginning to build your donor information, ask a group of volunteers to start researching the telephone directory. Also, make sure you are requesting phone numbers on all reply devices used in your mail campaigns, wallet envelopes in newsletters, etc. Click here for some preliminary tips on how to organize a telephone fundraising campaign. Let us know Do you have insights to share about phonathons and thankathons? Contact us at LEADline@CampaignConsultation.com (LEADline is a service of Campaign Consultation, Inc., a national provider of training and technical assistance for the Corporation for National and Community Service.) We would be happy to answer questions or to give you more support. Thank you for your interest in On-The-Go eTA. We encourage you to send this and other issues of OTG eTA to friends and colleagues who would benefit from the information. Also, if you’re on information-overload, you may request email removal. Otherwise OTG e-TA will be back soon with another edition.
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Details from above: Tips for Organizing a Phonathon (cont.) Step One: Compile your Donor Contact Information / Donor Giving Histories
Step Two: Prepare Dialogue Guide / Fact Sheet
Step Three: Prepare your Volunteers
Step Four: Make it Easy and Fun
National ASK (Awareness, Skills, Knowledge) to Sustain Institute, sponsored by Corporation for National and Community Service, provided by Campaign Consultation, Inc. 1998, 2002 Resources Now! National Institute, sponsored by Corporation for National and Community Service, provided by Campaign Consultation, Inc. 2006. Support Center for Nonprofit Management at http://www.supportctr.org
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Chronicle of Philanthropy: Workshops/Clinics:
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Let us know by contacting us through LEADline@CampaignConsultation.com
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