It’s true, when we are nervous, we tend to ramble. Asking for a contribution makes most people nervous, which causes rambling. And together, we have the perfect storm to make the most common fundraising mistake: talking too much.
Lori L. Jacobwith
Raising awareness is in the top five things every nonprofit organization wants. Or so they tell me. What they don’t know is how to not be the best kept secret in your community...
It’s 2018. And time to jump right in to fundraising activities. Before you dive in and expect different results doing more of the same, take a pause and notice what happened last year. As you review lists of names and donor data, remember that you exist to serve others: your clients and your donors of time and money. These are real people—not just numbers...
It’s your ultimate goal: To raise enough money for your organization to be healthy and prosperous … for as long as your important work is needed. Just like Spock said, “Live long and prosper!”...
Unfortunately, in the nonprofit sector, sympathy is one of the most common feelings caused by sharing a story. We rush to share some facts and leave little room to connect with the person and their conflict. We simply end up feeling sorry for the person. That is not the kind of storytelling that causes listeners and readers to take action...
People listen differently when stories are told. Just watch a toddler listen to their favorite book over and over again to know this is true. At the end of your workday, you likely share short glimpses into your day with the stories you tell your family or friends. A well-constructed story is one of the most effective fundraising tools simply because our brains love and need stories to process what we are thinking...
Your organization has no cute kids, puppies or people that you regularly serve. But you keep hearing that you’re supposed to share those “mission moments” about real people to engage your community. How does sharing powerful stories work for you?...
Not surprisingly, most development professionals have a long "To-Do" list. It can feel overwhelming to keep up with data-entry, make donor phone calls, draft mailings and reports and more. Being able to cross things off our list can feel great...
