The AHAs came fast and furiously as people learned how to inspire their donors at this year’s Inspired Fundraising Retreat.
People in the room and those on the livestream learned why donors give, got a framework for storytelling, and learned how to dissect a story that grabs your heart so you can understand how to build your own.
They also learned what a good Ask looks like and what to do in between the Asks.
Attendees heard from guest speakers about capital fundraising, raising awareness online and staying in compliance with IRS regulations.
We talked about getting support. We talked about setting up inspiration for yourself BEFORE you need it.
And in the middle of it all, we laughed, we cried, and we made fantastic new friends.
We even played some games and did some goofy exercises!
Here are some of the biggest takeaways that attendees shared:
It’s not about the money. It’s about what the money makes possible.
You are not begging for money. You are giving donors an opportunity to give, to share their inspiration with the world! That’s priceless.
Just because a donor loves your cause donor doesn’t mean you know specifically why they give. Ask donors to find out and keep from guessing!
Don’t worry about being small. Worry about being silent.
Donor relationships are key to dependable funding. Put more into the emotional “bank” than you take out.
Crayons are magic! People love Thank-You messages from kids.
Donors want to be part of a story, not a number in your budget.
Define your need and focus on the impact. Don’t go chasing grants that won’t fulfill your goals.
Treat everyone as if they could give you a game changing gift. Don’t judge people’s desire or ability to give because until you ask them, you don’t know what their giving capacity is.
Keep appeals personal. Make every donor feel important.
Keep your organization donor-centric; use “you” language and “hero” language.
Tell stories with universal and relatable situations. The donors need to empathize with the beneficiary and see how their donations complete the story.
It’s not all work. Folks had fun at the photo booth…
It’s important to commit to your own personal fundraising education so you can keep growing as a professional, stay on top of the latest trends, and keep tweaking your annual fundraising plan.
If you missed it, you missed out! Make plans to join us next year so you can get all the insight, inspiration, and AHAs first hand. www.InspiredFundraisingRetreat.com
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