May 17, 2016
Have you ever struggled with tip-toeing around the gesture of asking people for money because you feel like it’s more of a turn-off than it is drawing people in? This is something I too have contemplated when working with nonprofit organizations. Recently I encountered an act of such creative generosity, I knew I had to share my experience to help inspire new ways for you to ask your donors for help.Just a few weeks back, I was in an Easter church service and I had the privilege of watching a very specific need met. The head pastor stood on stage and asked all single moms to stand. He then requested the rest of the congregation gather any loose dollars or change in our pockets and wallets. We were then prompted to give to the standing single moms. The entire atmosphere took a shift as the room was filled with great compassion and gratitude while tears of joy streamed down many faces. I have never experienced anything like it. I realized the reason it was so touching was because it was both the “donor” and the recipient who were greatly impacted. It was the most tangible impact I have seen in a long time.Incredible, right?! If you’re looking for creative ways to compel your donors to give, let me assure you that you a small gesture not only goes a long way, but also creates an easy way for your donors to experience the great impact of their donation. Here are some ideas to help inspire creative ways for your donors to give.
You may not always have a live congregation to do an immediate act of kindness, like the church in my experience had. But you still have a people group that isn’t far from your reach. There is a community of donors ready to see the effects of their financial support. With that said, creative giving doesn’t always mean going above and beyond. You can still go the extra mile by meeting people where they’re at, creating a practical way to meet their need! Find the basic need and simply be the means for your donor to meet the need directly.
Ask any donor if they would love to tangibly see their money in action, and watch their faces light up. Believe it or not, people are actually looking for organizations to give to, so don’t be afraid to ask! According to Giving USA, Americans Donated an Estimated $358.38 Billion to Charity in 2014, becoming the highest total in Report’s 60-year History! Check out how to be excellent in fundraising, and when you do so, make sure you provide them with the why and how to give!
General mass emails are so last year! While it may be more work for a small percentage, you must consider your long-term goal: to ineffectively reach thousands or effectively reach a few very generous donors? You can start by sharing your goal and your vision by sending your donors a simple heartfelt video, a handwritten note from those being affected by the organization, along with some pictures of the person or group impacted! Consider giving them examples, such as if they give “X” amount, it will feed a family of four for a month. This will allow your donor to feel as though they can directly see where their money is going. It also helps to follow up and thank you your donors. These things will allow your donor to feel in touch with the reality of the need and the person in need. Don’t forget social media platforms as well! They are a great way to spread the word, it allows supporters to become advocates for your organization and market to their social community on your behalf.Remember, creativity doesn’t always mean expensive or out of reach; just keep it personal with your donors from the beginning to the end. You’ll be shocked at the positive response you get from donors the next time you ask.