#20 Overcoming Fundraising Fears: The Ladder Approach

Winning Edge

• Exposure-based therapy relies on repeated, controlled exposure to a fear to diminish its impact
• Fundraising can be intimidating, but the ladder technique can help overcome fears and raise money
• The Fundraising Ladder Technique:
  • 1. Set a consistent time dedicated to fundraising activities (e.g., 20 minutes daily)
  • 2. Set a process-based goal that's easily attainable (e.g., make one donor phone call)
  • 3. Imagine a ladder with tasks on each rung, starting with modest objectives
    • Read your fundraising script out loud
    • Print your call sheet
    • Open the Excel document with the list of people to call
  • 4. Progress to more challenging tasks, like making the first call
  • 5. Gradually increase your goal as tasks become more manageable
    • Push yourself with gradual, comfortable progress, and pause if proceeding feels overwhelming
• This step-by-step method helps overcome initial resistance and makes fundraising more comfortable in just a week or two

For more tips on effective fundraising strategies, check out the accompanying one-page PDF.

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