It may be time to start asking some questions if your annual fund isn’t performing up to forecasted levels. Questions like:
Do your annual fund totals only reflect unrestricted gifts? If so, what’s the rationale?
In your case for support, are you focusing on generic needs or specific priorities?
Is your communication style donor or institution centric?
And maybe the most important question: if your donors had more control over how their gifts were used, would they provide more regular support?
Is it time to stop worrying about unrestricted gifts as you encourage your donors to support areas in your organization that matter most to them?
Your nonprofit is, after all, their nonprofit.
Try reminding your supporters that the institution they support can be as great as they want it to be.