How to Generate Good Fortune when Raising Capital Campaign Funds

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression:

“Some people have all the luck.”

And if you’re halfway reasonable, you wish you were one of those fortunate folks — particularly if you’re working on a capital campaign.

Yes, Luck Plays a Role in a Successful Capital Campaign

Most of the success of a capital campaign stems from the steady work of building strong relationships with donors and conducting a well-designed campaign.

But luck plays a powerful role in campaigns now and again. A donor will surface out of nowhere and make a big gift to the campaign. Or someone you didn’t even know by name who has given $25 year after year after year after year will close out the campaign with a monumental gift you never imagined.

These amazing gifts look like they come out of nowhere — and in a way, they do. But I believe you can do something amazing that will put you in their paths.

Create Good Fortune Throughout Your Campaign

It’s quite simple, really.

Make a practice of getting out of your office and talking to people. You’ve got to talk to people about themselves — not about you or even your organization. Here’s why:

1. The more you ask people about themselves, the more they will enjoy the conversation and, paradoxically, the smarter and nicer they’ll think you are.
2. The more people you talk to, the greater the chances are that one of them will be able to lead you to something special.
3. The more you learn about people, the more opportunities you’ll see for yourself, your organization and your campaign.
4. Getting out of your office will get your brain out of the weeds.

The Hand of Fate in Real Time

Now, you may not believe me, but as I was sitting here writing this post, the phone rang. It was my friend and former client, Adrianna. We had worked together on a very successful campaign more than a decade ago. She said:

“Andrea, you’re not going to believe this, but I just got a call telling me that a donor I’ve never worked with before has decided to give us a million dollars!“

I replied, “How in heavens name did you make that happen?”

I know that Adrianna is one of those she-has-all-the-luck kind of people. But her response made me laugh out loud:

“Well, I was playing golf with a friend the other day who works for a big company in town…”

You don’t need to know the whole story, but the fact that Adrianna was out talking to people, finding out about them, and sharing her stories led to a brand new million-dollar gift.

Get Social… Good Campaign Luck Will Follow

Yes, Adrianna spends lots of time out of the office talking to people. Her generous spirit and genuine interest in other people makes most everyone happy to talk to her:

• She shows up at their offices.
• She has lunch with them.
• She sits at her local bar watching March Madness basketball with them.
• She even plays golf with them.

Generate All the Luck You Need for Your Campaign

Do you want to be lucky like Adrianna?

Then start getting out from behind your desk more often. Take the time to ask people about themselves and their goals and dreams. See if you can find ways to help them achieve their dreams, especially when those dreams happen to overlap with your vision.

Not only will your luck change, but you’ll have more fun!

Draw People (and Donors) into Your World

When you draw people closer, your life will be more exciting and the energy you radiate will create a magnetic glow that makes people happy to be in your world.

This will work for your campaign and it’ll work to improve your year-in, year-out fundraising too.

It’ll make YOU one of those people who have all the luck!