How dumping my cell phone raised $10K for my nonprofit
Shantelle Brumfield
Are you a nonprofit leader struggling to reach your annual funding goals each year? If so, let's connect.
Hey, nonprofit leaders! I've got a tale that might hit close to home, particularly for those wearing multiple hats in various sectors. I know all about that life. I'm a social butterfly by nature. I've navigated through corporate, government, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, accumulating a vast network of contacts along the way. But let me tell you, just having a plethora of numbers in my phone hasn’t always translated to success & stability, especially when it comes to fundraising for my nonprofit organization.
Despite knowing countless people and being connected on various platforms, I found myself facing a common problem: disorganized contacts. I lacked a master list of active champions, volunteers, partners, and donors I could consistently tap into for assistance. It felt frustrating because I knew I had the potential to leverage these connections for the betterment of my cause, but I didn't have a structured approach to do so.
It was around this time that I started working with David Lytle, serial entrepreneur, and corporate consultant, who made it clear that this was a problem and that I needed a change. He suggested that I take a few “radical but simple” steps —
#1 starting with dumping all the contacts from my phone. Wait WHAT! Yes, you heard it right. At the time it sounded drastic because I had over 5,000+ contacts in my phone. However, he assured me that it was a necessary move to clear the clutter and start afresh. Oh Lord, a sister had to get her emotions together!
The reality kicked in when I realized that dumping contacts wasn't the solution in itself. I needed a strategic way to get through this daunting task, while not wasting time or losing my contacts. That's when David gave me two more steps that provided the framework to manage my network effectively and maximize its fundraising potential.
Here are the steps for those who are keeping track:
1. Dump all contact information from your cell phone.
3. Contact Hierarchy Plan™️
The Donor Hierarchy List™️ helped me segment individuals based on their commitment level, whether through volunteer time, other forms of support, or financial contributions. It allowed me to recognize that not everyone could contribute monetarily, but they could still be valuable assets through their time and energy.
On the other hand, the Contact Hierarchy Plan™️ provided the roadmap and strategy needed to engage the right people at the right time. It emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between attention, collaboration, and engagement to holistically approach each level strategically to avoid donor burnout and maintain healthy relationships. (Find out more at www.thebrandhospital.com)
Through these tools, I could gauge the true potential of my contacts and leverage them effectively for fundraising. Whether it was reaching out to high-net-worth individuals for major donations or mobilizing volunteers for grassroots efforts, every level of support plays a crucial role in my organization's success. Ultimately, I raised $10K for my organization just from dumping my phone and have maintained this minimum of annual giving since taking that step. WOW!
So, here's my question to you: Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of contacts in your network? How do you manage your connections effectively, especially when it comes to fundraising or advancing a cause? Share your thoughts and experiences below! Let's learn from each other and empower our organizations to thrive.
