• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Shop
  • Jobs Board
Campaigns & Elections logo

Campaigns & Elections

  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Articles
    • Industry News
    • CampaignTech
    • Creative
  • Videos
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Reports
  • Expert Database
  • Events
  • Awards
    • Reed Awards
    • CampaignTech Awards
    • Rising Stars
  • Consultant Directory
  • Become a Member
  • Shop
  • Job Board
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Fundraising in a Recession

Last fall, Barack Obama had an all star as his finance chair. Penny Pritzker, founder and chair of Classic Residence by Hyatt, is one of the world’s richest people. So how did he get the hook-up?

 

Through personal relationships: Pritzker’s children attended a basketball clinic run by Michelle Obama’s brother. And that kind of personal connection is even more important now, thanks to the recession.

 

Subscribe for Industry News Plus the Latest in Campaign Strategy & Tactics

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Nancy Bocskor, a fundraiser and the founder of the Nancy Bocskor Company, told that story at today’s “Fundraising During a Recession” panel at the Art of Political Campaigning conference, sponsored by Campaigns & Elections’ Politics magazine.

 

“Personalization is more important than ever,” Bocskor told attendees. “All fundraising is personal.”

 

That means you can’t just ask for money; whether you’re raising funds for a candidate or an issue campaign, you have to tell people how much money you’ll need and what you’ll be spending it on.

 

Personalization also requires specifically tailoring the message to donors’ interests. With money tight, candidates have to compete against every other cause, from cancer research to environmental crises. “You need to figure out a compelling message,” said Bryan Rudnick, CEO of Alliance Strategies Group. “Why someone should give you money instead of another cause.”

 

Personalization means sending a thank you note, too—no matter how much a donor gives. That simple message could turn a five-dollar donor into someone who gives thousands.

 

Stephen Meyers, the president of Republican fundraising firm SCM Associates, gave attendees a list of seven rules that should shape their fundraising strategy in these tough times:

 

Don’t ask for less money, ask for more.
Don’t spend less money.
Don’t apologize for fundraising—be positive.
Be clear about your needs.
Strengthen your relationships.
Go back to your best donors for more money.
Use the new media avenues that are available.

Share:
FacebookTweetLinkedIn
Filed Under:
Fundraising

Primary Sidebar

By
Boyce Upholt
06/12/2009 12:00 AM EDT
FacebookTweetLinkedIn

C&E Creative Summit 2023 Countdown:

Get Tickets

Most Read

  • Digital Organizing

    How Digital Can Help Thread the Needle in Virginia

  • Sponsored

    Combine Digital Advertising With Direct Mail, The SMART Way

  • Sponsored

    Political Comms Is The Premium Peer-To-Peer Texting Platform

Subscribe for Industry News Plus the Latest in Campaign Strategy & Tactics

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Become a member and get access to exclusive content.

Join Today

Footer

Upcoming Events

  • September 21

    Campaigns & Elections Creative Summit

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

For the latest in campaign strategy & tactics plus industry news and analysis, subscribe for free today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow us

Follow Campaign and Elections for more daily content.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Political World Communications, LLC

Advertisement

Subscribe for Industry News Plus the Latest in Campaign Strategy & Tactics

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.