Nonprofit Strategic Positioning to Attract Unrestricted Dollars
I help nonprofit CEOs raise the total amount their strategic plan actually needs — overhead, infrastructure, salaries, reserves, and growth initiatives included. Not just enough to keep the lights on.
I'm the go-to expert for helping organizations frame their asks for unrestricted general-operating support.
It's not as hard as you think.
Let's fix it.
"But, Sherry — nonprofit donors only want to give restricted, project-based gifts."
Unrestricted revenue is the most valuable form of philanthropic support your organization can receive — and it's historically been seen as the hardest to raise.
That's not true.
It's only hard to raise general-operating dollars without the right sales training and the right tools in hand. Unrestricted dollars are how nonprofits grow, and you can lead donors and funders to that understanding. Full stop.
As a nonprofit fundraising strategist, I’ll show you how to:
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Articulate
Articulate your organization's true financial need
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Lead
Lead donors into investment-level conversations that result in general-operating support
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Unlock
Unlock the revenue flexibility you need to build a truly sustainable organization
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Reach
Reach the diversified, aspirational budget that's previously been out of reach
Donors who give unrestricted dollars simply need more from you — strategically.
Traditional storytelling and transactional fundraising don't scale general-operating dollars for nonprofits.
I'll show you how to translate your strategic, programmatic, and financial story so donors and prospects see their partnership as mission-essential.
In short: everything you do needs to be translated into something this type of donor sees themselves investing in. You need a donor lens. That's what attracts the unicorn donors who just get it.
Some of my amazing nonprofit clients:
"[Securing more gen-operating revenue is] really just storytelling. I had been going into every conversation thinking, okay, which project is going to resonate with them? Instead, I start every conversation about the organization and what we are doing overall from that higher level… Honestly, you gave me the framing and the language to be able to tell that story to funders."
— Eve, Founder and Executive Director of BITE // Now securing regular 6- and 7-figure general operating gifts
I'm done talking about the dreaded nonprofit overhead myth.
For decades, the nonprofit sector has been held to unrealistic expectations and outdated metrics that keep organizations from growing.
The most insidious? "Nonprofits should be able to do more on less." Not only are nonprofits expected to solve huge crises — they're expected to do it on shoestring budgets.
I don't need to tell you: life-changing missions require a real investment in resources, tools, and people.
The Nonprofit overhead myth
All those "truths" about overhead? Work with a fundraising strategist like me, and you'll find they don't hold up.
When your donors understand what your organization actually needs to change the world in ways they care about, they understand why you need general-operating dollars — for your people and processes, not just your programs.
Beyond fundraising consulting.
Into revenue transformation.
I can't wait to help you start attracting the unrestricted dollars you need.