Nonprofit Fundraising Lessons From My Cat

You are probably wondering: what could cats possibly have to do with nonprofit fundraising? Unless we’re discussing animal shelters or rescue cats, are our furry friends relevant?

The answer is yes! Without even trying, our pets can teach us more than we realize. Let’s take a look at some important nonprofit fundraising lessons we can learn from my own personal furbaby, a ragdoll cat named Zooey.

Don’t Pounce On My Head When I’m Sleeping

Nothing is more frustrating than being pestered by a feline in the middle of the night. As much as I love my little girl, she isn’t quite so adorable when she is waking me up at 3:00am to play fetch with her toy mouse.

Take a lesson from my nighttime woes. Your donors enjoy giving, but they don’t want to be constantly asked for money. According to a study by Cygnus Applied Research:

Almost two-thirds of charitable givers reported being asked too often to give.

Despite asking to receive fewer requests, three in four people continued receiving the same amount.

45 percent of donors said they stopped or reduced their gifts as a result.

While it is important to let people know when you need help, too many requests can drive away potential donors. Balance is key.

Purr Loudly

Everyone loves to hear a kitten purr. It is a tell-tale sign that your cat is happy and fully appreciates your attention — and your expert belly massages.

If you want donors to keep giving to your cause, show them your appreciation. Let them know how grateful you are for their help. A quick note or phone call to thank someone for their donation can go a long way.

Play With Your Toys

When you buy a toy for your pet, you want them to actually play with it. Otherwise, you feel like you wasted your money. This happens pretty often in my household. I invest in a toy that I think Zooey will love, only to find out later that she couldn’t be less interested.

Nonprofit fundraising is no different. When your donors give to your organization, they want to know that their gift will be put to good use. Always use your donations wisely, and find ways to let your donors know how they are helping your cause.

Make It Easy to Pet You

Long-haired cats have a habit of showing off their adorable features. Zooey often plops down on the floor, stretching out so her fluffy hair is on full display. Why does she do this? Partly to show off, of course. But she also wants attention, and is hoping I will indulge her with a belly rub.

Some cats tend to scamper off in another direction when humans approach. Would you take the time to chase a kitty down just to show it some love? Perhaps, but most people would give up after one or two attempts at contact.

Nonprofit Fundraising Made Easy

If you want your nonprofit fundraising efforts to be successful, and you want to receive as many donations as possible, make it easy for your donors to give. Don’t make them chase you down or jump through hoops. They want to give you a pat on the back. Let them.

The perfect way to do this is to accept mobile donations via a nonprofit app. Mobile giving technology makes the process fast and convenient. With such a tool at their disposal, your donors will give to their heart’s content — and you will have a lot to purr about.