Fans of “The Secret” will tell you that it’s the Law of Attraction in the Universe that can help you succeed. This strategy may be true for charities as well as business people and entrepreneurs around the world.

By being positive about your circumstances, you’ll notice more good things happening than bad. There will always be another animal to rescue, another crisis to handle. But, by thinking positive thoughts, you will be attracting better circumstances and outcomes for your animal rescue.

Having a positive outlook and thinking good thoughts will help you bring in more donors and volunteers as well. The way you present your nonprofit group is a key factor in how others around you will perceive it. If you are constantly screaming “we’re going under and need money fast,” you will more likely alienate donors and volunteers than find the help you so desperately need. By turning over a new attitude and explaining your situation in positive terms, you will more than likely attract donations and helpers in your time of need.

Which sounds more appealing to donors?

“Save us! We’ve had a litter of puppies and we’re swarming in debt. If we don’t get $500 by this Friday, we’re going to throw in the towel. We just can’t take in any other animals. We know there are people out there with money, and they’re not giving it to us!”

“The puppies are here! We’ve been blessed with another beautiful litter of pure love. We’re looking for sponsors to help defray their medical costs to ensure they start their lives healthy and happy. Please consider a donation of just $10 towards their first shots and worming. The PayPal button is located below, and you’ll receive a photo and certificate of the litter that your donation will help rescue. We’re hoping to raise $500 to offset their medical costs in order to keep our operation running smoothly. Thanks for your support of the animals of OurTown!”

While the first scenario announces gloom and doom, the second promotes joy at their birth, encourages participation from community members, imparts ownership of animals as part of the community. These two snippets are discussing the same scenario; the need to raise $500 to help with the medical costs for a litter of puppies. Notice the difference in how you feel when you read those phrases. Which group would you want to work with?
Volunteers and donors want to be a part of a winning team. They certainly don’t want to give their hard earned dollars and small amounts of spare time to a group that does not seem like it can get its act together. If your community perceives your rescue to be constantly floundering, unable to handle its finances, only screaming about needing more money, you will produce a poor result in your donations and volunteer recruitment. While the group that seems to need the money the most may bring in a few dollars here and there, they will continue to scream about their dire circumstances, which may ultimately bring them more gloom and doom and more crises to handle. In the long run, this defeatist attitude will truly doom them. The other scenario shows a group that is positive, actively working towards a goal, and promoting generally a better feeling about their situation. They, in turn, will see better results from both donors to help with the cause, and volunteers to work alongside them.
Project your image as a hard working group, dedicated to your cause. Yes, sad things happen, abused animals need rescuing, medical costs pose a constant problem. By staying positive and projecting the image of calm, security, and good health for your animals, you will attract more volunteers and donors to your nonprofit group! The Law of Attraction will help you bring about that which you think about! Think about success, happy adopters, loving families, healthy animals, and generous donors who love the work you do! The more you think about it, the more you will see it in your own group.