| Dear Non-Profit Organization, | | | | news releases, logo use, etc. Respect that a |
| I haven't heard from you in awhile and I admit, it hurts. I | | | | corporation receives hundreds of requests, and at any |
| find it hard to believe you aren't answering my letters | | | | given time is working on existing projects, as well as |
| or returning my calls. I thought we got along so well | | | | reviewing new proposals. |
| and we seemed to have so much in common. I really | | | | 6. Worse than lack of notice, is not asking for approval |
| hoped our relationship was going to be long term. I | | | | before announcing the donation or sponsorship. |
| don't know how to put this delicately, but it seems like | | | | Corporate funders request to review news releases |
| once you got what you wanted, you weren't | | | | and announcements in advance, not only to make sure |
| interested anymore. I know you're busy but I've | | | | they're correct and consistent, but to make sure they |
| detected a pattern. I only hear from you when you | | | | have the opportunity to maximize communications. The |
| want more. I feel used. | | | | organization may wish to post on its website, and may |
| Sincerely, Your Corporate Donor | | | | have reasons why the date might not be optimal. |
| The best way to raise money for your organization is | | | | 7. Providing too much, irrelevant information. This |
| to keep your existing donors connected and happy | | | | makes it difficult for a corporate funder to easily |
| with the experience. Like a milestone first date, the | | | | communicate the partnership in various vehicles, such |
| relationship is tentative and vulnerable. Remember, | | | | as its website, speeches or annual reports. If a funder |
| donors are looking for a mutually beneficial and | | | | has to spend valuable time sifting through, it is simply |
| rewarding relationship. Unfortunately some nonprofit | | | | easier to profile a different nonprofit organization |
| organizations are guilt of relationship faux pas. Here | | | | instead. |
| are some examples. | | | | 8. Sending photos with no index, identification or |
| Top Ten Turn Offs | | | | captions. |
| 1. No thank you letter sent - the ultimate sin! | | | | 9. Lack of coordination within your organization. If you |
| 2. If a thank you letter is sent, it contains spelling | | | | are providing more than one point of contact for your |
| mistakes and appears to be a form letter with no | | | | project, ensure all of your team is on the same page. |
| impact statement or relationship to the specific gift. | | | | 10. No followup. If you have worked together on a |
| 3. No follow up report or evaluation is provided despite | | | | news release or event, ensure to send copies of |
| this being a condition of funding. Give the organization | | | | coverage along with feedback. This is golden for |
| enough detail to confidently portray your initiative. How | | | | corporate communications and public relations |
| was the money used? What was the impact? Were | | | | departments. |
| the milestone dates met? This will help the donor | | | | Relationship Rescue |
| organization easily and accurately promote your | | | | If you see yourself in any of these scenarios, it's not |
| project through its corporate public relations activities. | | | | too late. You can still have a chance at a long and |
| 4. Disregard for approval policy and corporate identity | | | | mutually rewarding relationship. At the very least, you |
| standards. | | | | can still be friends! |
| 5. Lack of notice given when requesting approvals on | | | | |