Q: A doctor friend has a vision of building a cancer treatment center. How would he go about cultivating donors for this new organization?

Christine in California

A: Start off by doing a Treasure Map^® to find out who would be interested in this endeavor—perhaps cancer survivors or family members who have been affected by cancer. These are the people to invite to your first Point of Entry^® Event to find out who would like to get involved. You can hold a Point of Entry at someone's home, or any venue you like. Present your guests with the facts (maybe some statistics on cancer in your community) and the emotion about this new organization and its vision. Be sure to capture people's names so you can follow up with them to get their ideas and see how they would like to participate.

As you hold regular Point of Entry Events, more and more people will jump on board and participate in fulfilling your mission. From there, just keep on following the Benevon Model, continually involving and following up with the people who show interest in your organization. When you know they are with you for the long term, you can ask them for money and set up your Multiple-Year Giving Society^™. These donors will give your new organization solid ground to stand on.

Terry