By Gary Laermer
Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Greater New York
One of the questions I am asked most frequently is, "How do you fundraise?" It seems like a simple question but, in practice, asking individuals and corporations for their support is more art than science.
That's because fundraising is much more than asking for money. A key goal in development work is cultivating long-term relationships with donors. A committed patron will prioritize your nonprofit when it comes to charitable giving each year.
The majority of nonprofits still rely on the generosity of donors, though giving patterns have changed. A decade ago, benefactors were inclined to support multiple organizations. Today, we see donors making more targeted gifts in an effort to maximize their impact. At the YMCA, program-specific giving attracts three times as many supporters as our requests for support for general operations.
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