Fundraising: Tell Your Story Well

We know why people give. But often there is a disconnect between why people give and how we ask them to give.

The resolution? Tell your story well.

When you tell your story well, givers will have more joy and satisfaction and you will raise more money for your important work.

In this series of posts, I will help you get a practical handle on three ways you can tell the story of your outreach. You'll help your givers know they are making a difference and find great joy in their partnership in the good work you are doing together.

If you are one of the people in your organization who is tasked with raising money, you probably have questions, like how to:

• Find new donors?
• Begin relationships with new donors?
• Motivate a donor to give?
• Keep them giving?
• Motivate a donor to increase their giving?

You have probably heard many good answers to these questions, which I predict have one common denominator: Tell your story well.

Why People Give

In this first blog post of the series, we start with what we know about givers and why they give.

People give because they:

• Believe in your work — and your unique ability to do it
• Are helping change or save lives
• Want to change the future and give hope
• Want to make a difference
• Have confidence in your fiscal stability

People also give because they:

• Have a relationship with someone in leadership
• Know the need is urgent
• Were asked
• Believe it makes sense
• Feel a pull on their heartstrings

For those who are more left-brained and rational in their approach to life, facts, strategies and statistics will help persuade them to make a decision to give. For others who are right-brained and more emotionally oriented in life, stories about your outcomes in a person’s life will pique their interest and help them make up their mind.

In fact, as much as we’d like to think otherwise, there is ample research to document that most decisions are based more on feelings than rational, logical thinking.

Why People Don't Give

It is just as important to understand why people do not give.

People don’t give because:

• You have a budget shortfall
• You have a need
• Statistics and strategies and goals
• They’ve given before

The bottom line is this: For people to take action, they need to care. Feelings inspire people to act. If we do our job well, we can help givers feel, care and act for the sake of the lives you help save and change every day.

In the next blog post of the series, we will discuss the complications associated with telling your story well as you communicate with your givers and raise funds.