Fundraising Tips from Tijuana

Refugees, diapers, fundraising, and lunches at food carts.

I’m finishing up a week in Tijuana. With everything happening in the Los Angeles area, Tijuana felt calm.

There is an endless amount of refugees there, many already in the asylum system and waiting for a notice that will most likely not come under the current administration.

This week I focused on meeting with past nonprofit fundraising clients, delivering diapers, tampons, pads, and baby formula to shelters I work with, and doing some quick fundraising trainings that were more like reminders of how to fundraise during a crisis.

I also had a couple of lunch meetings at my favorite food cart!

If you are in nonprofit fundraising, the main ideas I talked about with fundraisers and leadership while in Tijuana were:

Keep asking.

Keep thanking your donors.

Keep sharing the impact of your donor’s gift.

During a very difficult time, some nonprofits slow down their asking. Don’t do this. You are in a relationship with your donors. They see supporting your mission as a part of their ability to make the world a better place. Please don’t take that opportunity away from them.

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Take a risk. Be of service. Support your friends and colleagues. Be kind.