Fundraising Activity vs Activity That Raises Funds

Yes, we are all very busy.

So now must be the time for you to protect every moment of your day.

Long ago, I moved from the world of radio to the ad agency world. There, I learned something that completely shifted my perspective: you must keep track of your time to bill clients. This was a huge surprise to me, since I had always just spent whatever time was needed to get the job done.

SURPRISE!!

I was learning what I had never fully understood before: your time is money.A funny realization for someone who had literally sold time in :30 and :60 increments.

Unless you work 24/7 (please say no), you have a limited number of hours to raise money for the organization you serve—which I assume is your primary goal if you’re reading this. So let’s make the most of it.

Think about how you spend your time.

Do you go to mixers and not ask the right questions—so you can quickly understand whether someone is a true prospect or someone who wants to sell you insurance?Do you sit in meetings that don’t move your mission forward?Do you spend hours on emails that could have been a five-minute phone call?

Every one of those moments adds up.

Being intentional with your time doesn’t mean doing more—it means doing what matters most.

Before your next event, meeting, or call, ask yourself:

• What is my goal?

• Who do I need to connect with?

• What do I need to learn about them?

• How will this move our mission forward?

And just as importantly—what can you say no to?

Because every “yes” to something that doesn’t serve your mission is a “no” to something that could.

And Then… Follow Up (This Is Where the Magic Happens)

You’ve spent the time. You’ve made the connection.Now don’t waste it.

The biggest mistake I see? People attend an event, have great conversations—and then never follow up, or follow up in a way that feels generic and forgettable.

If you want your time to actually turn into impact, your follow-up must be timely, personal, and purposeful.

Within 24–48 hours:Reach out while the conversation is still fresh.

Make it personal:Reference something specific you discussed. Not “great to meet you,” but“I really enjoyed hearing about your interest in supporting veterans,” or“I keep thinking about what you said about wanting to get your team more involved in the community.”

Add value:Share something relevant—a program, a story, an upcoming opportunity that aligns with what they care about.

Have a clear next step:Don’t just “stay in touch.” Suggest something:

• A quick call

• A tour

• Coffee

• An upcoming event

Make it easy for them to say yes.

Track it:If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen. Keep notes so your next conversation builds on the last one—not starts over.

And one more thing—follow-up is not one and done.Real relationships take multiple touches. Thoughtful persistence shows professionalism, not pressure.

The most successful fundraisers I know aren’t just great storytellers or relationship builders—they are incredibly disciplined with their time. They qualify quickly, listen intentionally, and follow up with purpose.

Your calendar should reflect your priorities.

If building relationships with donors and partners is critical, does your schedule actually show that?

Or is your day being filled by things that feel urgent but aren’t truly important?

At the end of the day, time is the one resource you can’t replenish. You can always raise more money—but you cannot create more hours.

So protect them.Use them wisely.And invest them where they will make the greatest difference—for your organization, your mission, and the people you serve.