Donors respond when you show them they matter

Do you need your donors? Then tell them so! I know that sounds like relationship advice from a talk-show psychologist, but it needs to be said. So many fundraisers instead practice We Have It All Together fundraising: They believe that fundraising consists of showing donors how effective and successful they are, and invite donors to jump aboard the We Have It All Together Bandwagon. No wonder so many donors think they aren't important to the organizations they support. We Have It All Together Fundraising inadvertently tells them things are fine without them. Unless you have a funding structure that makes donors unnecessary, tell them you need them. If you need them urgently, if you need them to keep the doors open, if programs would be cut without them -- don't hide it. Be honest, open, and urgent. Practice "You Matter a Lot" Fundraising. It makes some in nonprofits uncomfortable to admit their dependence on donors. They think it reflects poorly on their management. But donors want to be wanted. Years of experience, including head-to-head message testing, tells me this: An appeal that says, We may have to cut programs unless people like you give outperforms an optimistic things are great, please join us message by dramatic margins. So put We Have It All Together Fundraising to rest and go out there with some You Matter a Lot Fundraising that tells your donors you really need them! (This post first appeared on July 22, 2015.)

from Future Fundraising Now https://ift.tt/2SdufUP