The Fundraising Factory - Posts Tagged ‘Donor’

Just the Facts Maam-Donations Change Lives

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Everyone already knows ALL non profits need revenue.   How do donors choose where to contribute?
Meaningful messages are imperative in getting the attention of donors today.   Just saying you are providing shelter to the homeless is not enough. 
 
The question is why should I give to you?  Give me a compelling reason.  Make me believe.  Spell it out! 
Tell me what my $20 donation will do.  
Tell me my donation will provide 3 people a bed for the night.  
Tell me my donation converts into $98.15 of food. 
Tell me my donation will provide one mammogram for a woman who can’t afford it. 
I want specifics.  I want the facts.  I can get my head around facts.  The facts spell out clearly how my contribution changes lives. 
That’s what I want: lives changed!

Think about it,
Lucinda

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Posted in Donor, Marketing, Rants, donations | No Comments »

The Donor Connection

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

This time of year mailboxes are flooded with fundraising “ASK” letters.  Although the causes may be worthy of a donation most of us have limited resources that only allow us to give to a few.

Here’s my two cents worth on the ASK…

1. Build trust.  Start off honestly, sincerely and from your heart.  Tell us why you personally are writing the letter.

2. Be a storyteller and share circumstances about peoples lives that have changed because of the money you have raised for your non profit.  When you share a great success story you immediately establish credibility.  Compelling stories move people to support a cause.

3.  Ask BIG!  Don’t hold back on what you ask for.  People will give what they can but you need to share the need for giving EVEN if it seems like a lot to ask.

4. Spell it out.   Let them know how their gift can be used.   Correlate dollar amounts to services needed by your clients.  They see how donations of different levels can help pay for heat, rent, food for a family any service your non profit provides. They connect on a deeper level and the donation becomes more meaningful.

5. Be Humble.  Recognize the current economy and how it effects donations.  The donor can understand a real human need and are more likley to empathize with these difficult times.

I hope my two cents makes sense to you and helps your non profit stand out from all those envelopes.

Cheers and Happy Fundaraising!

Lucinda

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Posted in Ask Letters, Fundraising | No Comments »

Social Media and the Donor

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Using the social media network for fundraising and building potential new business/donations is a key component to today’s overall marketing strategy for most organizations. Here are 3 questions to ponder.

Does your donor know you?   As part of your online strategy, integrating compelling videos and pictures will deliver memorable online experiences and promote sharing through your website, Facebook, and Youtube.

Do you recognize the small donor?   The Obama campaign proved just how much small donations had a huge impact.  When you demonstrate that X dollar donation equates to X in services AND give examples such as (X$ donation-feeds 10 families). This creates an online high touch experience for potential new donors and reinforces the loyal supporters choice to give.

Are you accountable to your donors?   With everyone asking for a click donation it’s important to create a high value proposition succinctly explaining how results and long term sustainability will be achieved within your project or organization.  Your donors have the right to expect accountability.

Don’t be fooled though.  Although, social media offers good tools, the click will not replace the necessary human connection that we require.  I use social media for communication but I change the world one pin at time, one person at a time.

Check out Beth Kanter, an expert in Social Media for the non profit.

Let’s stay connected and happy fundraising,
Lucinda

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Posted in Donor, Fundraising, social media | No Comments »