One simple tool when your nonprofit Board says they can’t “ask for money”: Unleash the Inner "Girl Scout"
A few years ago, I was coaching a nonprofit Board in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many of them were completely convinced they were not going to be “asking anyone for money.” After an hour or so, a few of them were beginning to get the picture, but most weren’t. In a moment of exasperation, I thought of my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. They are like jackals. They show up at your door. They know your favorite cookie. You love selling the cookie because you buy them yourself. “Okay everyone. “ I had found the magic comparison…”What’s your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?” Fundraising can often bring up feelings of apprehension, especially for nonprofit boards who may not have extensive experience in asking for donations. However, reframing the concept of fundraising and comparing it to selling everyone's favorite Girl Scout cookie can help alleviate these fears. In this blog post, we will explore how the process of "selling" the nonprofit mission is similar to selling Girl Scout cookies, and provide valuable tips to help nonprofit boards overcome their fear of asking for money.