Fundraising & Perseverance: Why Resilience Drives Success

Posted by: Allyson Spring 

Fundraising isn’t just about the money—it’s about belief, resilience, and unwavering commitment to a cause. Having worked most of my career in enterprise tech sales, I’ve seen firsthand how the most successful strategies require long-term relationship-building, strategic storytelling, and a relentless pursuit of measurable goals that increase short term wins and long term growth . The same principles apply to fundraising: you won’t always get a “yes” the first time—but perseverance turns a “no” into “yes” and goals into reality.

For those of us deeply invested in causes like cancer research, veteran support, and government innovation, fundraising is personal. I know this because I’ve walked this road, fundraising for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of my father, Dr. Ken Moskowitz. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that fundraising success isn’t about luck—it’s about showing up, refining your message, and never giving up, even when momentum slows down.

In this blog post, I will share some strategies I have refined. I share how perseverance fuels fundraising, some practical ways to push forward when things get tough, and how to use digital engagement, storytelling, and SEO-driven strategies to amplify your impact.

1. Fundraising is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Whether you’re fundraising for cancer research, a nonprofit startup, or an AI-driven government initiative, you’ll face roadblocks. People will ignore your emails, momentum will dip, and fatigue will set in. The difference between success and failure? The ability to keep going.

I tend to think about it like sales planning: You wouldn’t expect a major contract to close after one email, right? The same applies to fundraising. Success comes through commitment and perseverance.  

✅ Consistent outreach – Keep your campaign visible across multiple platforms.

✅ Tailored messaging – One-size-fits-all doesn’t work; personalize your approach. What works for me may not work for you.  Or what has worked in the past may not work today. Keep your messaging targeted and tailored to your prospects today.  

✅ Strategic follow-ups – Don’t assume silence means “no.” People get busy—remind them why your cause matters.  

💡 Real-World Example:

When I started fundraising for LLS , I assumed that sharing my father’s story would be enough to drive donations. But storytelling alone wasn’t enough—I had to ask multiple times, follow up personally, and build emotional urgency. It took multiple touchpoints and different communication styles (emails, Facebook, Instagram,LinkedIn posts, direct messages, contests) to hit my goal.

2. Some Digital Strategies to Keep Your Fundraising Momentum Going…. This is where I put my marketing hat on.  Integrated marketing, Digital Marketing… yes I took a class to learn some tips and tricks to leverage digital campaigns, analytics to get more data driven insights on where I was getting the most return and what actually generated donors and donations.  So you don’t have to take a digital marketing class here are some best practices and tips. 

If your campaign is losing steam, it’s time to pivot and optimize. Here’s how:

🔹 Optimize for SEO & Visibility

Most fundraisers focus on social media but ignore Google search rankings. If you want sustained traffic, optimize your campaign page and blog posts with:

• Long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to raise money for cancer research” instead of just “fundraising”)

• Internal & external backlinks (e.g., linking to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Charity Navigator improves credibility)

• Image alt text & captions to boost Google Image ranking.

💡 Actionable Tip: When posting about your fundraiser, include phrases like:

“Join our mission to fight cancer – help fund leukemia research today.” This naturally incorporates keywords people actually search for.

🔹 Social Media Engagement + Hashtags

Fundraising success isn’t just about asking—it’s about engaging and building a community.

🔥 Best-performing fundraising hashtags:

• #FundraisingForACause

• #GiveBack

• #LightTheNight

• #CancerResearch

• #ResilienceInAction

• #NonprofitSuccess

• #AIForGood (for tech-driven fundraisers)

💡 Advanced Strategy:

Tag relevant LinkedIn groups, influencers, and companies that align with your mission. For example, if you’re raising money for veteran support, engage with organizations like Wounded Warrior Project or Team RWB.

3. Turning Interest into Action: Overcoming Fundraising Stagnation

🚨 Common Fundraising Problems & Solutions:

Challenge	Why It Happens	Solution
People say they’ll donate but don’t	They forget, or the process is inconvenient	Follow up with a direct link to donate (e.g., “Here’s the fastest way to support our cause: donate now”)
No one is sharing your campaign	People need a reason to engage	Create a challenge or milestone (e.g., “If we hit $5K, I’ll run a marathon!”)
Momentum dies after the first wave of donations	The hype fades	Post weekly updates and highlight individual donors to encourage more giving

💡 Psychology Tip: People are more likely to donate when they feel a sense of urgency and social proof. Use statements like:

✔️ “We’re just $500 away from our next goal—can you help push us over the line?”

✔️ “Join 100+ donors who have already contributed—your support makes an impact!”

4. Fundraising & Resilience: Lessons from Sales & Leadership

In the tech sales world, I’ve managed difficult clients, closed deals in challenging environments, and navigated teams through high-pressure situations. The same skills—resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking—apply to fundraising.

Key leadership lessons that work in both sales and fundraising:

✔️ Relationships matter – It’s not just about asking for money; it’s about building trust over time.

✔️ Rejection isn’t the end – Every “no” is just a “not yet.” Keep following up.

✔️ Data + Emotion wins – People respond to both logic and storytelling. Use stats + personal stories to maximize impact.

Final Thoughts: Keep Going. Your Cause is Worth It.

Fundraising is hard. But hard isn’t impossible. The best fundraisers, like the best sales leaders, don’t let obstacles stop them—they find another way forward.

🔹 If you’re stuck, pivot.

🔹 If you hear “no,” follow up.

🔹 If momentum slows, reignite it with fresh messaging and urgency.

🚀 Your next step:

• Share your fundraising campaign link everywhere.

• Tag people who care.

• Stay persistent.

💬 What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in fundraising? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your experiences!

Bonus: SEO-Optimized Labels for Blog Posts 

Use these for better ranking:

✅ fundraising strategies

✅ how to overcome fundraising challenges

✅ resilience in nonprofit work

✅ AI for social good

✅ government and nonprofit partnerships