Cause Related Marketing and Income Development

I think one of the most noble occupations one can pursue is anything "cause" related. These days numerous worthy charities are suffering because of a dip in funding sources. My professional advice is commonsensical and something I espoused even before the economy went into the pooper.

Collaborate. Collaborate. Collaborate.

Charitable causes with strong leaders and advocates vying for the same dollar abound. Don't reinvent the wheel. Share resources. Share vision. Oftentimes egos or the desire for "my cause to be better than your cause" get in the way of the true objective. "Do Good." I truly believe that if people spent more time sitting around a table (that is circular rather than rectangular) and planning how to share expenses, more money could be spent on the cause itself.

Coming from both sides of the "ASK" table, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that the audience (whether a benefactor or someone to whom you are marketing) has very little attention span for duplication of effort. Our consumers are savvy, skeptical, and sick to death of being asked for money.

The bottom line is to show how your cause is worthy AND your organization is efficiently operated.