Episode #232
Have your donors become too good of friends?
Have you every had a donor relationship turn into more of a friendship? And then when it came time to ask for a gift, it felt awkward or perhaps even a bit icky? How did you handle that?
In today’s video, Sandy Rees from Get Fully Funded.com shares a story with you about a time this happened. Because the donor had become good friends, it was very awkward for the head of an organization to ask his “friend” for money. Sandy tells you how they overcame the unease of the situation and has some takeaways for you from this particular example.
If you have any stories or advice around relationships with donors, please share them in a comment box under the video. Your nonprofit friends will appreciate it.
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If you have any stories or advice around relationships with donors, please share them in a comment box. Your nonprofit friends will appreciate it. 🙂
I think the last piece Sandy shared was the most insightful for me. “We want the donor to connected to the bottom line/the people, not just the individual employee/member.” I think that is the key when developing donor relationships. It shouldn’t be about YOU but about the organization – at all times.
I, too, thought that was an excellent point, and worth repeating.
Great stuff – thanks!
Only good thing about Monday’s is MovieMondays!! 🙂
When everyone focuses on the impact/outcome, it builds a better relationship. 🙂
There’s an old adage “People give to people” and that sometimes is misinterpreted in my opinion. It doesn’t mean “People give to people in spite of the organization’s mission.” Sandy’s point about the donor staying connected to the organization (it’s work and impact) is critically important. It’s true that the “right person” making the ask in the “right way” is very important, however, we cannot forget the “right program” is just as important and stewarding the donor’s gift through program impact specifically the importance of their gift is crucial. Keeping them connected to the impact their support is having on the problems they care about that the organization is addressing is key to retaining their loyal support.