A political candidate's fundraising message to a potential contributor
is crucial. It will determine whether the contributor will or will not
donate to the campaign.
There is the usual five-minute fundraising call pitch: "Hi my name
is…and I am calling you today about my campaign for Congress. I
am running for Congress because… My background is…. I believe
in issues x, y and z. Can I count on a contribution of $1,000 for my
campaign for Congress?
When our guru, Ken Christensen, arrived on the train from Washington,
he looked disconcertingly like an undertaker: lean, tense and sweating
heavily in a black suit.
He was all business. "You need an office," Christensen snapped. "give
me the keys to your car." Four hours later he had rented space on Red
Hook's main street, and was unpacking telephones, fax machines and files
from a pile of suitcases.
Two weeks after Christensen arrived, my wife emerged from the Boiler
Room. "We've done it!" Jean shouted. She'd managed to raise about $106,000.
Candidates are always searching for new ways to raise money, but
in reality there are only a few solid ways of raising money for campaigns.
Campaigns must focus on realistic, manageable and efficient fundraising
programs.
Need Bucks? Get a Pro
from Campaigns & Elections, June 1997
by Kenneth S. Christensen
Hiring a professional fundraising firm has many advantages. Following
proper legal and ethical standards -- while raising more money -- is
an unbeatable combination.
Political Events Are All About Fundraising
Kenneth S. Christensen quoted in Advancing Philanthropy Magazine: Advancing Philanthropy, Ideas and Strategies for the Fundraising
Community, July/August 2001
Kenneth S. Christensen, partner, Christensen & Associates Inc., says, "Political
events are all about raising money. The candidate is the key to the
whole operation and is the driving force behind any political fundraising
event." Creating a buzz - grassroots interest, the opportunity to communicate
the candidate's message, getting volunteers excited about the campaign
- is a side benefit.
