The world is changing faster and faster whether you are talking about effective fundraising or any other topic. How do you keep up, keep true, and keep effective? Many old-school concepts like real relationships matter are still fundamental to success. Many new realities are also true.

Let’s discuss a very specific example like the old classic Feasibility Study. You know, spend a ton of money (because it costs a lot of time and money) to personally – on-site – interview twenty or so people in order to determine the passion for, concerns about, and financial feasibility of a project. A really helpful process in theory – but now often terribly outdated.

How many of your busy major donor prospects want to book two or three hours to get to and complete an interview? How many just say no to that time commitment? How expensive is it for your consultant to be on-site for those interviews? How many key donors cannot be there when your traditional consultant is present for the few days she or he will give you?

As a consultant doing your study, would I rather meet potential donors face to face? Probably in a perfect world. Read the body language, for a fuller experience. In a few cases, that connection is important. But the hassle barrier for most of your potential donors is significant. I can get 85% or more of what we
needed to learn in a 45-minute phone call. (Zoom is cool too, but who wants to be stuck to their computer, or have a technical glitch?). Way easier to schedule. Way more flexible and better to reschedule. Little intrusion. Still a great connection. I have had some deep conversations while a potential donor was in their car driving to another important appointment for them. Very cost and time effective for everyone involved. Did I sit down and look everyone in the eye? No. But did I talk meaningfully with twice as many or more influential people for half of the cost? Yes. We learned much more — and the interviewees still very much appreciated the conversation.

We live in a fast-paced, new, and changing world. Think differently about you accomplish things.

The old Feasibility Study is just one small example of how to work differently and more effectively. Call me and let’s talk about the changing landscape that is important to you.

By the way, there are other options besides a Feasibility Study to meet your needs, depending on how your decision matrix is structured, what you need to move forward, and how your culture operates.

Maybe you need an intentional information rollout designed to also gather important feedback. Maybe you are ready to move into a financial outcome-determining, quiet, lead-gift phase. One size or strategy does not fit all. Let’s figure out what works best for you