The Cost of Scattered Efforts

Research from the nonprofit sector consistently shows that organizations attempting to launch multiple new fundraising initiatives during challenging periods typically underperform compared to those maintaining strategic focus. When we scatter our efforts:

• Resources Become Stretched: Already limited staff and budget get spread too thin across too many initiatives.
• Quality Suffers: Programs, communications, and donor experiences all decline in quality when we're trying to do too much.
• Donor Confusion Increases: Mixed messages and frequent shifts in focus create uncertainty among supporters about your organization's priorities.
• Measurement Becomes Impossible: With too many simultaneous initiatives, you can't accurately determine what's working and what isn't.

The Strategic Power of Focus

Contrary to intuition, narrowing your focus during challenging times actually expands your impact. Here's why:

• Resource Optimization: When you focus on fewer, high-potential activities, you can dedicate appropriate resources to ensure their success.
• Clarity in Communication: A focused message cuts through noise. During uncertain times, donors appreciate organizations that communicate clear priorities and specific needs.
• Expertise Development: Teams become more effective when they can develop depth in specific areas rather than constantly shifting between disparate initiatives.
• Measurable Results: Focused efforts allow for clear metrics and quick adjustments based on results.

How to Maintain Focus During Storms

• Revisit Your Mission: Use your mission as the ultimate filter. Does this new initiative directly advance your core purpose? If not, table it until calmer times.
• Apply the 80/20 Rule: Identify which 20% of your fundraising activities generate 80% of your results, then double down on these high-performing channels.
• Create a "Not Now" List: Maintain a list of good ideas that simply aren't priorities during this challenging period. This acknowledges their value while keeping them from distracting your current efforts.
• Set Clear Success Metrics: Define exactly what success looks like for your focused initiatives. This prevents scope creep and provides clarity to everyone involved.
• Communicate Your Focus: Explicitly share your strategic focus with staff, board, and key stakeholders. This builds understanding and alignment around your prioritized activities.

The next time your organization faces a fundraising storm, resist the urge to do more. Instead, challenge yourself to do less—but with greater focus, intention, and excellence. As counterintuitive as it seems, narrowing your focus during challenging times often creates the pathway to not just weathering the storm, but emerging stronger on the other side.

SOAR is here to support your as you navigate your storm season. Contact us today at info@soar.partners to learn more about our risk mitigation strategic support.