Non-Profits and One Night Stand Fundraising
Why does SmileTrain want me to have a one-night stand with them when what I really want is a long-term relationship with a non-profit?
I got this postcard from SmileTrain today and it’s perhaps the strangest — and worst — call to action from a non-profit I’ve ever seen. Let me be clear that I think that SmileTrain does wonderful work providing cleft palate surgery to kids in 77 developing countries and I am inspired by their mission.
That said, this is the exact opposite of the relationship I want with a non-profit. First of all it comes off sounding like a desperate plea: why do they need so much money right now and not in the future? Secondly, if it’s an organization I believe in — and donating to it would be evidence of such faith — why on Earth would I not want to be contacted again? I want to be able to develop a relationship with the non-profits I believe in — be it through monetary contributions or volunteering — so of course I want to be contacted again.
I believe the exact opposite of this ask is what non-profits should be doing; ask us to learn more about you, interact with you on social networks, share a story with us, and along the way — if you successfully make us a part of your team — we’ll gladly give. That’s the only way to be sustainable — not a “one-and-done” transaction.
What do you think?
