Winning Edge

#46 The 10 Call Rule: How 1 Hour a Week Transforms Fundraising

Commonwealth Partners

The 10 Call Rule: How 1 Hour a Week Transforms Fundraising

  • Zig Ziglar's principle: "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"
  • Persistence matters more than perfection in fundraising
  • Problems with delaying fundraising until election years:
    • Skills get rusty
    • Missed opportunities to build a war chest

The 10 Call Rule:

  1. Block one hour each week specifically for fundraising
  2. Commit to making 10 phone calls during that hour

Implementation Strategy:

  • Start with previous donors
  • Update them on legislative session
  • Make a specific ask
  • Pause and wait for response
  • Process donation immediately or follow up

Benefits of Consistency:

  • Hundreds of calls completed over the year
  • Steady building of campaign funds
  • Stronger donor relationships
  • No last-minute fundraising scramble

Action Step:

  • Block one hour next week for making 10 calls
  • Set as recurring event
  • Try for 10 consecutive weeks
  • Protect this dedicated time

For more fundraising strategies and tips, refer to the accompanying one-page PDF.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com