Why Raising Money for Charity Is Brilliant for Advisors

If you are a successful advisor, you have made your career because you have helped people in your local community.  You have raised your visibility.  People know who you are and consider you a qualified professional.  You still haven’t broken into the top tier of wealth in the community.  Getting involved with fundraising for a local nonprofit is an excellent next step.

Ten Reasons Why You Want to Fundraise

Let’s assume you are already involved with local charitable organizations.  You write checks and buy tickets to attend gala events.  Here’s why you want to dive deeper and how to do it.

  1. Giving back is the right thing to do.  Your community has helped make you successful.  It’s only right to find a way to give back.  If the world was divided into givers and takers, you want to be seen as a giver.  Why?  Because you are.
  2. Nonprofits are always in need of funds.  Most aren’t getting big checks from the government.  They rely on private donations.  If you help them fundraise, you are on the revenue side of the equation.
  3. You have the skill.  As a financial advisor, you can look people in the eyes and ask them for money.  Few other people do.  This is an area where you can make a big impact and draw attention to yourself.
  4. You can get this done quickly.  You are used to getting appointments, showing up, making your case, asking for the order, getting out and following up.  The task that takes you minutes will take other people weeks or months.
  5. They have prospects.  You don’t need to find donors.  Your local nonprofit knows who has deep pockets.  They can tell you who to go after for a contribution.
  6. The stars align.  You want people with assets.  Philanthropists have money to give away.  The people you will meet are prequalified.
  7. People will see you.  We know their prospects are also your prospects.  If you called to talk about investing, their screener would shut you down.  Call to talk with them about a high-profile charity and doors open.
  8. You can make a connection.  People with money often give to charity.  Today’s philanthropists want to see how their money is being spent.  They attend events put on by the organization.  You attend the same events.  You can connect and reconnect again, identifying interests in common.
  9. You are identified with a noble cause.  Word gets around you are raising money for a worthy charity.  Many people feel kindly about the mission.  They wish they could do something to solve this social problem.  One of the easiest things they can give is money.  You are the conduit.
  10. The concept of the second check.  You made new friends.  You’ve gotten to know them, seeing them at social events and around town.  You have identified a need.  You step into your business role and politely ask them to become a client.  In your mind, you are asking for the “first check,” the one that opens the account.  To them, it’s the “second check” because the first one they handed you was a contribution to the charity.  They had a good experience and got to know you better.  The second check is easier to get. Here’s one more benefit:  The nonprofit will appreciate what you’ve done.  They will want you to continue.  They will likely bring you inside the inner circle, made of some of the top tier in the community.

Related: Addressing “This Time It’s Different”