Uncategorized Archives - Page 5 of 23

Your board-Are you sharing these Key Messages?

Ok, I confess. Being in a room with Board and Leadership is THEE BEST THING I DO!

Leading a Board Experiences is an opportunity for me to:

clear confusion
address distaste for the “f” word (fundraising, you silly)
plant seeds for BIG VISIONS and,
provide a self-selected road-map of how to help with fundraising

……….and it leaves me SUPER-CHARGED!

Witnessing the “ah-ha’s, hearing their ideas (and in a “Marcy-session” – their asks) and, of course, singing, “People love to give me money!” is my idea of a perfect day.

No matter how much you think your board knows, here are key messages to share with them again and again. Why not just forward this post out to them?

I attached it here as a PDF for you, too.

Marcy’s Big Ideas for GREAT Fundraising Board Members to know!

1. Think about money differently.

Successful board members challenge limiting beliefs about money. “There’s not enough.” “We can’t afford it.” They get comfortable talking about what the money DOES in their non-profit.

2. Have a Big Vision.

Big donors want big visions. Partner with, and challenge leadership to make a BIG difference.

3. Reflect on your own commitment – emotionally and financially.

Your time is a great gift, but your dollars make the real statement to others. Give your money.

4. Remember, Individuals give the most and always have.

For the past forty years, of the billions given each year in the USA, consistently roughly 5% is given by corporations, 15% from foundations and 80% from INDIVIDUALS!

5. Larger gifts are key to changing your results.

Large gifts are transformational. You must raise your sights from $5,000 to $50,000 to $5 Million and have clear giving options that accomplish clear results at these levels.

6. You don’t have to ask for money to help.

You DO have to give yourself, consider others you know who have capacity, share your values and beliefs in your non-profit’s mission and engage them or connect your staff with them. Learn Marcy’s 3-sentence ask technique anyway – you may see how easy it can be to artfully ask for anything.

7. Giving is not about getting – it’s about doing.

Even your corporate sponsors want something more meaningful than their name on your website. Stuff and perks are fine, but real impact is better.

8. Focus on major gifts, not gimmicks.

Focus on relationships with those who can make major gifts. Raising TWO six-figure gifts brings better ROI than auctions, galas, outings and giving days that need scores of little donors (and take tons of staff time) to raise the same amount.

9. Date before you propose.

Consciously consider if you are being transactional or are you engaging in real conversations and meaningful experiences with others. Respect the pace of the person you date.

10. Be excited about what you do!

Be an ambassador for your non-profit. Share what you are doing with others. Tell others why you serve and give!

Know that others take their cue from leaders like you. How you think, how you talk about your big visions and goals, and how you give will inspire others to follow suit. Own this! Inspire generosity! Shine on!

Invest in JOY®

April 27, 2022

Uncategorized

Cultivating in Uncertain Times

Have you ever been around a farmer in spring? It’s a worrisome time. Will there be enough rain, too much rain, the right temperatures and ????

YET….. every year THEY PLANT AND CULTIVATE their crops to bring us food – important work to be sure.

Your work is important, too.

And even in these uncertain times,

YOU. MUST. PLANT. AND. CULTIVATE!

Will our event really be in person? Will our programs be carried out the same? Will supply chain issues delay or scrap our campaign building project? Can we raise major gifts now? A campaign? Am I effective working from home or just enjoying it? How will unprecedented inflation impact my family and beyond?

Uncertainty brings self-doubt; isolation brings self-doubt. Self-doubt is paralyzing.

When you wonder if anything you are doing is going to stick, it’s hard to take a step, buy a plane ticket, book the hall, set up the donor visit, or announce the plan, project or focus for your major gift work. What do you say to your major donors?

Cultivating in Uncertain Times……What you must remember!

1. ALL times are uncertain. We can plan and double check and yet, things can and do change. They always have! You may do, and redo, and redo again. What is certain is that your actions WILL have an impact. Taking no action also has an impact. Reassure your major donors that one thing IS CERTAIN – they will always hear from you and they will always be important to you.

2. Work on your mindset as a strategy. I started teaching mindset in 2005 to a lot of eye-rolling. To be sure, what you hear influences you. And you hear a lot of fear. Fear is crippling. You must take charge of your self-messaging. Don’t go into any conversation with your mind made up regarding the outcome. Be curious around what your donors are really thinking. Don’t assume you, or the media, has it right.

3. Plans change – Dreams don’t. Big donors want big visions. If your building or program campaign is running into some price hikes and delays – stick to the dream – what the money really does – how it will lift up, change, make better. Keep your major donors informed about delays and revisions in a positive way – – don’t dump all the dirty laundry on them – YOU are the leaders of this strategic plan/project/dream. Certainly share, on a high level, the challenges, and assure them that the leadership team is embracing these challenges, embracing new timelines, changes in scope, phasing, whatever – AND that what the money will REALLY DO, really will not change.

4. Honor your major donors by inviting their advice and participation.

They are smart, successful folks. Brainstorm the various ways you might invite them to participate – join in a planning meeting, serve on a Campaign Planning Committee, review a draft, be part of a focus group, or simply give you advice and information about your fundraising prospects – do they share values and interests? Talk about your specific needs – listen for the fit. You want to hear their thoughts about the projects – get them excited – bring them into the process as your special friends.

5. Change “What If” to “What’s next?” Are you asking yourself, “What if the sky falls?” Look around you. Is the sky still up there? Ok then, that would be the fact. So, “What if my donors won’t give the same now?” Instead, look at what IS. Are you engaging and asking and are donors giving now? Yes. So ask instead, “What’s next?” in engaging them and proceeding to write and speak a lovely 3-sentence ask!

When it is uncertain, JUST KEEP GOING! Uncertainty becomes deliberate when you keep taking steps.

And stick with me, stick with each other. GO to lunch, network, attend conferences, bring your donors together with you in small groups. Community has never been more important as we build back from isolation to being together.

My battle cry for 2022 is BE BRAVE! Take a step. Talk good about everything.

Be clear. Be fun. Be hopeful. Be happy.

Invest in JOY®

April 13, 2022

Uncategorized

Change your thinking, Change your Board

If you’re thinking your board and volunteers still prefer to zoom, change your thinking!

When I look at my most successful clients RIGHT NOW – the ones who are having the greatest success with NEW major gifts – all are effectively and personally bringing people together.

Meet Jill Vitale-Aussem. She’s CEO of Christian Living Communities in Denver and author of, “Disrupting the status quo of senior living,” a must-read for anyone who will ever get older.

We are in the advanced gifts phase of a major initiative to build new physical spaces and transform the care model. A key piece of our plan is to re-ignite the Advancement Council – a group of past board members launched in mid-March 2020 – yep, right alongside the covid shutdown. Their two meetings were virtual and mostly reports managing through the pandemic. Yikes!

LEARN from this! This meeting, just yesterday, was wildly successful! Here’s why!

10 TIPS for IN-PERSON BOARD MEETING SUCCESS RIGHT NOW

1. BEFORE the meeting

When the decision was made to bring the group together again, typically the Admin would send a group email announcing the date with a draft agenda. Instead – Olivia Mayer, Director of Development, sent a personalized email to each member sharing the opportunity to re-start this and that she’d be calling. These calls allowed her to share details, sure, but more important have a warm interaction and get a feel for where they were at with the organization and in life.

2. Zooming, too, is still ok, but make in person more attractive.

During these calls, people had a choice of attending in person – or zoom. Not attending wasn’t really on the agenda. Few missed. A simple boxed lunch and conversation proved more attractive for most. Staff connected ahead of time with those on zoom to be sure they were confident with the technology piece.

3. Redesigning the guidelines for the group – you need to be clear

Also prior to the meeting, we met with the creator of the original guidelines. These were modified by the former CEO who had left and did not embrace development. Working together these guidelines were rewritten to include every member’s consideration of their own gift! It’s important to be transparent that fundraising and giving is part of the group’s purpose. AND, the board member who drafted the first draft agreed to lead the conversation for the rewrite!

4. Don’t get right down to business

I may be old school, but I believe the small talk, rapport building time is critical. So instead of getting down to business, get down to relationship building. It builds trust, good will and a “feeling.” There was a gathering space by the entrance where the CEO and a few other staff greeted guests. This was celebratory – filled with hugs! People MISS each other! Don’t send people directly to their seats!

5. Whew – we’re finally at the meeting! Connect to MISSION!

No powerpoint. Five simple pages – agenda, mission and vision, current status, strategic goals and fundraising initiative.

At the start of EVERY meeting, the group reads OUTLOUD together the vision and mission.

6. Share your story!

What???? Everyone is going to get the mic? YES, everyone was asked to take a turn sharing their connection to CLC. Remarks were heartwarming, humorous and meaningful. Sure it took about 25 minutes. SO WHAT? Several commented about finally this council was going to DO SOMETHING! Almost 100% said – WE LIVE OUR MISSION.

7. Leadership leads with Vision and Vulnerability

Really a few sentences can pretty much sum it up. More important is intermingling the power of the partnership they need with the folks in the room.

8. The work of the Board is led by a volunteer

A volunteer shared the creation of the group, reviewed the guidelines, shared his own plans for participating and noted that all should consider their gift. (ok so he was the perfect volunteer! AND he was on the screen!)

9. The funding initiative is presented with donor-focused practices and only the largest giving options are listed on the page – a simple one-pager.

Marketing people think paper raises money and are concerned with brand. Managers think timelines raise money and are concerned with reports. I shared examples of different mindsets that demonstrated our focus on a positive donor journey. You need whatever you need to SIMPLY tell the story and keep yourself focused on one thing – providing a meaningful donor experience. In this case, what should the board/council member’s experience be like?

10. Call to ACTION!

Using my three sentence ask – ASK for the action you want. Generally I want one action – but for this there were two – paraphrased – “You have been long time supporters. You understand the new model will transform care. Would you consider continuing to serve on this Council and continuing the conversation about your role – your investment in the initiative?” Then I ask for head nods, verbal yeses, and wohoos! We got all three – from everyone there.

Wozaa! Done!

And now – the fun and important work of, indeed, continuing the conversation. Make this as much as possible relational and not transactional. Remember this key truth about working with your board and volunteers….

You must embrace thinking about your board/volunteers as folks who really are on your side to help you. Deal with volunteers who are undermining the good work you are doing – they cannot be allowed to tarnish your mission. This is just one example to help you build a board that is major gifts ready. And….what happens next, and next, and next is key to your success! How wonderful to once again be able to fill our days with hugs, smiles and joy. Thank you for what you do every day to create experiences just like this. Fear less, Raise More, SHINE ON!

Invest in JOY®

March 23, 2022

Uncategorized

Be Prepared!

Some people just have that Midas touch! The story goes that King Midas was obsessed with gold and when granted a wish by the gods he quickly asked that everything he touched be turned to gold. As his wish played out, a rose, his breakfast and his beautiful daughter – all turned to gold upon his touch. It’s easy to see that just a bit of prep would have provided a much better outcome for the King! There’s a happy ending for the king. He was able to have his wish reversed and reap a second chance to use his wealth to be generous and thoughtful.

Be PREPARED! (The song from Lion King enters my mind – it’s here – just for fun)

Here are five tips to Be Prepared!

1. Look Ahead. Be cheery, not dreary!

Whoa – did THAT sneak up on me! Yes, we have timelines and reminders galore. Yet just spending a few minutes to look at your calendar – today, tomorrow, this week, this month, the next few months…..and consider, “What’s coming up that will be better, easier, more effective, and less stressful if I do this in preparation?” This is not a big time deal, but a good daily practice. Be cheery, not dreary in what lies ahead. Your thoughts become your life. Do you think, ‘Oh THIS visit, or event, or meeting, or family task – UGH’ or, ‘I am so overwhelmed, busy…whatever.’ Or are you eager about life and what lies ahead? Be cheery, not dreary.

2. Set aside time to consider.

You will find me gazing into space. This la-la land is actually incredibly productive and let’s my marvelous mind be creative, problem-solve, reflect and reframe the opportunities and challenges of both my personal and professional agendas. Blended with looking ahead (above) I get so comfortable with my ideas that I dismiss my mindset insecurities that lead to procrastination. I like to use solo driving time, waiting in line or on hold time, and walking time. My goal is not to have a podcast or music or something pounding into my brain every second – but to let the space provide the strong next steps I will take.

3. Helpful, (not creepy) research.

I get asked a lot about research and major, transformational gift success. In my experience, research will NEVER take the place of an authentic conversation with a perspective individual giver (and remember, 80% of all dollars given in the US comes from individuals).

Engaging a research tool IS very helpful when you have a large – hundreds or thousands - of names in your data base that are giving gifts of $5000 or less and you want to prioritize who to begin engaging more intentionally. If you have fewer than 500 names and want to grow your donor base, you may also want to use research to uncover those with capacity and an interest in your mission. At the core – People like people like themselves who share their values and interests. Are you clear on the values and vision of your organization?

Don’t assume – ask. “You seem to have a real heart for lifting up the nursing staff (or the students, or homeless, or cancer research, or X), is that accurate?” To be prepared does not mean you have every detail – or even many details. It means you have an authentic intent to get to know your donor better. A donor’s journey with YOU is unique and you are best prepared when you are open to listening for a partnership that provides the kind of donor experience that creates lifelong donors. Then YOU are writing the results other researches are collecting.

4. Write a 3-sentence ask. Maybe two! (Marcy’s ASK worksheet)

When you don’t know where you’re going any road will do. When you make your best guess on how you think a perspective giver may want to support you AND write a 3-sentence ask… suddenly you have a destination! When you also use my 3-sentence ask to determine the NEXT step for a donor visit you have the two tools you need most to be prepared for any major gift call or situation in your life.

Let me give you a quick example from one of the non-profits I’m currently coaching. She has a donor who has made a 7-figure gift to a local university and a 5-figure gift to her. For the first time, she wants to ask for a high – 6 or 7 figure gift. On our visit, we had two asks written and practiced. Gift ask (made generic) “You have supported (our non-profit) generously for years. You understand from being a resident here how important the X project will be for ensuring X. Would you consider a $1M gift to support X?” Our second ask, written for this call was, “You have been such a friend to (our non-profit). You understand how (our CEO) has envisioned the future here. Would you consider meeting with her to continue this conversation?”

She said yes and this ask beautifully set up the next step AND confirmed we were on the right track with our gift ask.

5. Have flexible goals and expectations.

The world does not revolve around you, your family or non-profit. In fact, you may not even be on the radar of those you want to engage on a personal or professional basis. This doesn’t mean you sit around waiting for them to return your call. It means that you patiently persist. Who can help me develop this relationship? Having deadlines and results that are dependent on the actions of others is frustrating at best. Focus your goals and expectations on what YOU can control. You decide how often and how creatively you will reach out to connect. You can have a relationship action plan written. You can be at-the-ready with both next steps and gift asks written that bring you both closer to a giving (or living) partnership.

And one final thought – just as King Midas got a second chance, I believe that our nonprofit calling gives us scores of opportunities to provide second chances over poverty, poor decisions, addiction, and wasted time. When we are prepared with vision, listening and gratitude we transform our own lives and, together with our generous givers, our world. Thank you having the REAL Midas touch!

Invest in JOY®

March 9, 2022

Uncategorized

Share your experience. Are you Efficient or Effective?

Automate, set up systems, create distribution lists, batch, group like tasks – in other words – be efficient! Make the most of your ever-so-limited time. And certainly we have more tools, and a wider acceptance for using them, than ever before.

But what if all that efficiency isn’t leading to the best result?

What if it’s not as effective?

The difference between effectiveness and efficiency can be summed up sweetly and succinctly – Being effective is about doing the right things, while being efficient is about doing things right.

Let me jump right in with some examples from folks I’m working with right now….

An e-blast is sent out to thank all donors. It’s got a catchy and powerful story and a good photo. Even though it says, “Dear Joan” you know it’s too many. While this is efficient – it is far more effective to personalize the email to at least your major givers. You can repeat some of the content. The impact will be considerably greater for the time you spend in personalization.

Several people in a shop want to attend a conference together and were told it is more efficient for one person to attend and bring the content back. Actually, the investment for several folks to attend together is more effective. They can attend multiple sessions, the time together strengthens staff bonds, and they can brainstorm on implementing the conference tips and tools on the spot. Often there is even a price break for 3 or more.

A new advancement council composed of past board members launched in early 2020 (followed by covid) and is set to meet in-person now after a couple of zoom meetings that were mostly reports. Instead of having the admin send out a group email (efficient) I ask the development officer to send out a personalized email to each member sharing she would call to hear their thoughts and see if they wanted to attend in person or zoom. This was 45 calls – hardly efficient, but SO much more effective in providing an easy conversation for her with key prospective givers about their thoughts on the council and the upcoming campaign.

A major donor who had always been delighted to meet in person had grown quite zoom savvy over the pandemic so the development officer felt it would be fine to continue this. It would save her an hour drive each way. In fact, the donor shifted her giving to another organization that continued to meet with her in person citing she felt “closer to that mission.” It’s always about your donor – not you.

Org X doubled the size of their holiday greeting to include more givers and community friends this past holiday. Three folks hand signed each card and included messages on many. Several additional year-end gifts were presented from this – 5 times paying for the extra costs.

Events of several hundred may return – I ask, “Why?” Donors can attend and never talk to another soul in the masses. Efficient? Maybe. Effective? No. Micro-events is where it’s at!

The spouse of a major donor passed (heart attack) and the funeral was both in person and on zoom. I was pretty clear on this one. Show up.

A new call program would deliver a message to multiple numbers saving the board from making those thank you calls. It would also save the staff the set up with the board. While this sounds good – it’s a big miss in bringing the board together with givers – even if they just leave a message. Expressing their gratitude out loud fuses them with your mission, their service and their own giving.

A long-time development officer found during the pandemic that several of her key donors were now very comfortable with text messages. For Valentine’s Day she used the message, “Roses are red, violets are blue. OrgX is thriving, because of you.” While she copied/pasted, each message was sent out individually. It was a massive hit and she got warm and wonderful return messages.

You may find yourself drawn to efficient options because they are convenient, save you from some heavy lifting and perhaps cost less. Plus, you only have 24 hours in the day and need to make choices on how to spend your time. However, when you are looking to enhance your MAJOR GIVING success – how you treat your donors is crucial.

While the words effective and efficient both mean “capable of producing a result,” there is an important difference. Effective means “producing a result that is wanted”. Efficient means “capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy.” Being efficient to produce short-term or lackluster results is not the goal. Yet, also understand – the perfectionists among us – that there is such a thing as, “good enough.” At times getting out a batch thank you email is the best choice.

You are smart and capable. Take a few minutes to think through your actions and ask what will provide an opportunity to have a deeper connection, a personal conversation or make someone feel special. You can be effective AND efficient!

What you do is special and how you feel is important to me. Here is a bit of a worksheet – share with me something you have done to be effective – even though it maybe wasn’t as efficient. This will make me feel like we are healing from this isolation and reconnecting.

Shine on! Even on cloudy days.

Invest in JOY®

February 23, 2022

Uncategorized

Six Simple Fun Donors Loves

Laughter and Love to YOU!

It’s almost here! Valentine’s Day!

Here are six simple and fun ways to show your donors love:

1. What Valentine’s Candy is never on time?

Yep, ChocoLATE

Yet remember you can really never be late. What if you sent an email on February 15^th that said, “You’re support and caring for our mission is loved just as much today as yesterday. And it will be loved tomorrow and the next day and the next day……Happy Valentine’s Day

2. Chocolate never goes out of style – add a kid’s Valentine card.

Even for men. Chocolate/dark chocolate kisses always bring a smile. Couple it with a children’s Valentine card. XOXOXOX. Yes – to donors.

3. What did the calculator say to the pencil on Valentine’s Day?

You can always count on me.

Let your donors know that you appreciate that you can count on them to support you again and again AND that they can always count on YOU, too!

4. By text, phone or email – “Sending you love today.”

Think of every donor you know who has lost their spouse and reach out to them with this simple message.

5. Write this poem to them…Roses are Red, Violets are Blue (your ending)

For example, “Roses are red, Violets are blue, we appreciate, the help (love, support, food, ?) from you.

6. What did the stamp say to the envelope?

Stick with me and you’ll go places.

Lighten up, share some kindness, hug people, live every day with love. Philanthropy is by definition, the love of humankind. Our work is to inspire the love of humankind – on Valentine’s Day and every day! WOhoo!

You are loved.

Invest in JOY®

February 9, 2022

Uncategorized

Better Think AGAIN – a tool for you.

Do you feel it, too? Ongoing uncertainty – you are constantly reacting.

A few days back things got tense around moving a meeting. A client shared she’d yelled at her spouse for leaving the milk out and it spoiled. It seems that even the most optimistic among us are on edge, crabby and frustrated.

We don’t have to be.

Our mind is the mighty force behind just about everything in our lives – the good and the bad. Our thoughts can either hold us back or propel us forward and when repeated over time they create our beliefs about ourselves and our lives.

The toughest part to take in is that WE ARE IN CONTROL of our thinking. It’s always our choice. So I’ve got a VERY SIMPLE tool for you to reframe your brain for 2022 success.

Here it is.

Think about anything coming up – a donor visit, an event, a night out. (what is that again?)

Finish this sentence…..

This year it’s going to be hard to ____________________.

(raise money, hold events, meet with donors, manage the family, ???)

Then THINK about it. Why do you think that way? Does it really have to be hard?

And debunk it!

Here are 10 examples of reframing your thinking – all true comments from my coaching calls.

1. People know I am just looking for money.

I really want my giver to experience joy from her giving.

2. I need to tell potential donors what we do.

I’ll ask my potential donors their impressions of our programs and listen to their replies.

4. I have to call to make donor appointments. UGH!

People love to give me money! (you can sing it too) Donors are lonely.

5. I sent them an email and they didn’t respond. They are not interested.

How can I make it easier for them to get in touch?

6. He was really awful to me on that last call. I don’t have to put up with that!

How can I care for him now. Clearly something is up. (hug a porcupine)

7. If only my Board would help.

When my Board understands that people who share their values and interests may also be interested in supporting us, it will be easier for them to help me.

8. It’s too soon to talk about another gift.

Clearly they have experienced the impact of their gift and feel appreciated. They are thinking, “What’s next?”

9. It will be so much harder to raise money this year.

Money comes to me easily and frequently.

10. I am feeling uncertainty and constantly reacting to last minute changes I didn’t cause.

Things are getting brighter. I am feeling lighter!

WRITE YOUR REFRAMES – start with…

It’s gonna be hard to…. OR I’m worried about…. OR I really stress when…..

And debunk that thinking!

Cheers to you – you have embraced life to influence good and you’re doing a great job of it!

Invest in JOY®

January 26, 2022

Uncategorized

It’s 2022 Now what? Creating a Joyful Giver

Ta da ta da……CHARGE!

Let the new year BEGIN!

Be BRAVE!

You now have a new year to create joyful givers to partner with you to do your good in the world! There’s nothing better! Congrats to you for finishing up 2021 and bravely jumping in to greet what this year brings!

Yesterday I shared “Creating a Joyful Giver” for Crescendo’s Practical Planned Giving Conference. Great experience! While I provided a ton of information, here are just a very few highlights. The key message:

Simone Joyaux, a key fundraising guru we lost tragically last year to a brain aneurism said, “Use whatever word you want… but always remember this: Donors give through your organization to fulfill their own aspirations. Do you know my aspirations? Do you know my philanthropic story?”

In a nutshell, Creating a Joyful Giver is:

Creating a Joyful Giver – Everything YOU do

(experiences, notes, calls, etc)

to help a prospective or current or disenfranchised giver

better understand everything “you” do!

This includes the usual stuff you already know. This year’s tweak is the word, “meet.” Meet used to be in-person much of the time. Now “meet” is open to a whole new world of possibility! However – remember this – “meet” still means in the best way for the GIVER – NOT YOU. It’s not about what’s easier for you, it’s what is BEST FOR THE RELATIONSHIP! Don’t be lazy and send a video tour when there is no reason they can’t come in.

Some typical examples….Send/email photos, tours-in person and video, “meet” with leadership, Program Staff, other donors, a recipient, key staff and others. Perhaps host a micro event 6-20 of current donors to brainstorm! And sure…send the newsletter.

Here’s what is important.

ASK YOURSELF – Does what I am doing help the giver answer the question, “What gift would make me joyful?”

Here are 8 results EVERY cultivation touch should accomplish!

1. Gives folks permission to give to what brings them joy.

(this is true for gifts for sponsorships, annual fund, specific program, anonymous gift, name a building, NOT part of the campaign list)

Too often we talk to donors about OUR needs, our list, our priorities. Yes, we need to be clear on our options for giving. We also need to be open to what is in a donor’s heart and work with them to blend what brings them joy with our needs.

2. Seeks to understand what is important to the giver.

In everything we do….that sentence that says…”What brings YOU Joy in supporting us?” needs to be a part of it.

3. Respects that givers interests change over time.

Giving may change or stop. While there are LOTS of reasons for this – illness, new relationship, kids no longer involved, changes in wealth, etc – it’s important to reassure a donor we are FOREVER grateful for their investment with us and we look to keeping them part of our family – whatever that looks like.

4. Deepens a giver’s knowledge of mission impact.

Everything we do should speak to a result we have accomplished – as simple (and CRUCIAL) as changing a life, to completing a room on the new building wing and what will happen in that wing.

5. Creates a treasured memory.

When someone is giving you money, understand that they long for a deeper relationship (note – HOW this relationship looks is different for every major donor). What seems like a simple act to you can have meaningful results. Keep your “feelings” meter at the ready and don’t just go through the motions because you’ve done it 100 times.

6. Includes group and individual actions. (Micro events)

Massive galas and events are going away – I hope – you know I never was a big fan. I DO hope we will use this an a chance for hybrid experiences and smaller “micro-events.” People DO connect differently in person and as soon as we can get back to in-person the better. But please may we finally drop measuring success on attendance and bigger is better? For major gifts, it’s not. Even major universities are having multiple capital campaign celebration events instead of 1000 folks in the room. My dad used to say, “You could drop dead and no one would find you until the next morning!” meaning you were just a body in the room – nothing special.

7. Defines what the money will do – ALWAYS IMPACT.

It’s not about the money, it’s always about what the money does (the building, the program, the annual fund, support the food bank, whatever) and REALLY does (lift up a person, bring people together, feed a person, keep someone in school, deepen a walk to faith)

8. Creates a constellation for the giver.

I like to think of Creating a Joyful Giver as putting the stars into a constellation that when completed (we’ve found the gift that brings them joy) LIGHTS up the sky with a picture of them/their support. Corny…but how I have looked at it. Each touch that brings them closer to the completed constellation is a step closer to knowing what their major gift will look like.

Invest in JOY®

January 12, 2022

Uncategorized

It’s your fault!

Many folks have given up by now. It’s been quite the time.

But not you. Nope.

This rising JOY as the end of 2021 gets closer and closer is All. Your. Fault.

You – the fundraiser, Executive Director, or volunteer who is so deeply dedicated to creating home for the disabled and frail, finding the cure, planting the tree, filling the pantry shelves, funding the scholarships and so much more….

You just press on.

You are eagerly inspiring generosity!
You are celebrating and appreciating your givers.
You are asking them to once again invest in doing good.

And many, many do. Because of you.

Yes, they give because they believe in your mission and want to make a difference.

But it’s all your fault for connecting the dots for them – weaving their giving aspirations with your results.

Because of you, they know about your work and how to do good in the world.

Your tank of hope never quite runs dry.

Oh there are days, to be sure, that you wonder what this world is coming to. Yet, in these final few weeks of the year, there you are.

Sending out notes overflowing with sincere gratitude.
Celebrating each conversation – even the ones that end in, “Not this year.”
Asking for the major gifts that will anchor and grow the mission.
Organizing thank-a-thons so givers truly understand their giving is appreciated.
Connecting on zoom, face-time, on the phone – and, you bet, in person to share a conversation about how their investment will make it better this holiday season….and beyond…. in scores of different ways.

So to you I say remember this:

Opportunity never stops knocking.
New givers are on the way.
The words and ideas you need will find you.
You’ll have another chance.
Things are getting brighter.

Yes, the JOY, the giving, the happy tears, the solid foundation you are creating for your non-profit…it’s all your fault.

And what a blessing you are! Thank you.

Invest in JOY®

December 8, 2021

Uncategorized

Live Bright – Leave Light!

You – yep YOU…touch lives in so many special ways! Every day!

At this Thanksgiving time here in the USA, may we ALL join together to give thanks.

Many things have changed. Our commitment to inspiring generosity has not! YOU are a gift and I am grateful for you at Thanksgiving and always!

SHINE ON!

To celebrate, I’m sharing these words penned by my dear friend, the late Jerry Panas years back.

Enjoy, and I extend my richest blessings to you.

With love and thanksgiving,

Invest in JOY®

November 25, 2021

Your board-Are you sharing these Key Messages?

Cultivating in Uncertain Times

Change your thinking, Change your Board

Be Prepared!

Share your experience. Are you Efficient or Effective?

Six Simple Fun Donors Loves

Better Think AGAIN – a tool for you.

It’s 2022 Now what? Creating a Joyful Giver

It’s your fault!

Live Bright – Leave Light!

Let’s Connect

Stay Inspired!