Does Money Have a Soul?

We think about it and argue about it.

We worry about it and spend it.

We dream about it. And we (hopefully) save some of it.

Money. Does it have a soul?

Its purpose is simple: To allow an exchange of goods and services. Unfortunately, money is not evenly distributed and that causes feelings of discomfort, fear, and embarrassment. How do we talk to someone about making a $100,000 contribution when we may not be able to do so ourselves?

I believe fundraising DOES have a soul.  And contributed money is the conduit for the positive energy of giving and serving others.

As fundraisers our work is to offer opportunities for our community to do more with their money than they would be able to do on their own.

When we invite a gift we are offering the path for passionate people to take action with their wallet. We are offering engaged supporters the opportunity to speak by making a financial investment in our work.

It’s worrisome to me, then, that so many people I encounter in nonprofit leadership positions are afraid to discuss money.

Recently heard from two Executive Directors:

“We can’t tell anyone we have a deficit! They’ll think we don’t know how to run our organization.”

“I don’t actually know how much we have to raise this year. I’ll have to ask the people in finance for that information.”

Recently said to me by two Development Directors:

“We are a small community and we don’t want anyone to know we have to raise an additional $400,000 this year.”

“I don’t KNOW what it takes to support one person in our programs. We haven’t figured that out in our organization.”

YIKES!

It’s time to shift our thinking.

At Cause Camp 2018 in Lincoln, NE I helped attendees think about: What is our Money Story? And how do we tell it? At the core of our money story is how you think about money.

Click here to download the slides and Money Story Checklist from Cause Camp.

Here’s a peek at some of what I shared:

• • The question isn’t: “How do we get more money?”

• • The question is actually: What is our own relationship with money?

• • Putting a face on the impact of a contribution without explaining what it takes (financially) to help that person – leaves money on the table.

• • You and your donors will feel more comfortable when you use the phrase: Here’s what it takes to do our important work…
    
    

• • Asking for money is not all about the money.
  • It often feels like money = power. But what if it doesn’t have to feel that way?

Do you KNOW and regularly share your money story? The Complete Storytelling System – Modules 5 & 6 will teach you how to skillfully combine your people & money stories to raise MORE money.