Most nonprofits rely on history and achievements to convince donors, but these often fall flat emotionally. It’s like a chef selling calories, not taste; technically solid, but not compelling. Real change happens when nonprofits shift from explaining to sparking real connection and excitement.
When the Lincoln Foundation started sparking curiosity first, conversations shifted, and they landed a $100,000 grant that had eluded them for a year. Change your introduction, and you elevate every conversation.
Fundraising shouldn’t be a grind but an open invitation for investors to become ongoing partners in your mission. When staff and board own this mindset, fundraising becomes more effective and energizing.
Avoid falling into the “we did this, please give” routine. Instead, invite supporters to invest in lives and specific outcomes that you deliver today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. The shift isn’t just about a better story, but a systemic change that inspires commitment and buy-in from everyone.
How to Start:
- Stand out. The way you introduce your organization should be unique and strategically unusual, causing the listener to lean in rather than glaze over.
- Go out: Growing your investor pool requires that you interrupt potential investors in their spaces and places.
- Go all out: The changes created by Unapologetic Fundraising aren’t extreme, but when everyone is aligned around an intentional framework, the transformation explodes.
Ready to ditch the status quo? Fundraising success comes from emotional connection, not history; move hearts and minds to open up wallets. For more, visit wearefieldtrip.com.
