1. Consider alternatives to cash.
Maybe your school's Web site needs to be updated, or your athletic fields are looking a little ragged. Do you have any donors who are IT specialists? Any who own or work for a landscaping or contracting firm? These people may not be able to donate money, but they may be able to donate their time and special skills on weeknights after work or on the weekends.
2. Be open.
It's entirely possible that some of your donors have been victims of recent financial scandals, which can unfortunately erode their confidence in any and all nonprofits. The only way to reestablish that trust is to be open about your finances, operations, and policies. Nonprofits that implement community-development projects, such as teaching literacy programs at the local library or on campus, can go a long way towards re-establishing good will and trust in the minds of current and potential donors.
3. Connect with donors.
A number of nonprofits are reporting that economic uncertainties have caused many donors to forego writing checks in favor of giving that is more focused, which means that it's of the utmost importance to strengthen your connection with current donors. One way of doing this is to have your current students create a keepsake, memento, or project of some sort that they will then send to respective donors. This is even more effective if you can connect the projects to the result of the donation. Was a large donation used to buy audio/visual equipment for the school? Then have your students compile a DVD that shows them using said equipment to document events happening around the school. People who receive a nonprofit organization's services are often its best spokespeople, and your donors will feel a deep connection to your school when they see how effectively you've spent their dollars.
