You spend OH so much time on the details of planning your golf outing, gala, fundraising breakfast or lunch, wine-tasting, or fund-a-need activity. And then, invitations are sent and you expect donors to give.
Unfortunately, your guests don’t care much about the napkin colors, centerpieces, gift bags, or the font on the invitation. They care about things you likely haven’t focused on, yet.
To make your fundraising event a success you’ll need to shift your focus. Make certain your guests understand and are able to answer three key questions before they attend. Otherwise, and I’m serious here — don’t expect donors to give at your next fundraising event.
Three things donors should know BEFORE they attend your next fundraising event:
- What does it take to fully fund your mission?
- Why is more required NOW?
- Who is impacted when a contribution is made?
Our job is to help make the complex simple to understand. Talking about money and who you serve might feel complex. But it doesn’t have to be. Help people know your organization by sharing a powerful story.
EXAMPLE
- You have a fund-a-need or some sort of ASK at your next fundraising event.
- Please spend quality time finding & crafting a powerful mission moment story. This becomes your example of what happens when a donor gives. My rule of thumb: for every 10 minutes spent on logistics spend one-minute crafting & sharing a mission moment story that also answers the three questions listed above.
- Be sure you prepare your auctioneer or “asker” with a powerful short mission moment story about someone whose life is different because they had the courage to walk through your door.
- Share bits and pieces of that story BEFORE the event WHILE answering the three important questions.
- Tease your registered guests with short videos, quotes, photos, or new details about the person in your mission moment. But also educate them about the impact of specific dollar amounts. Keep this information real and specific.
- It takes $943 (or $3681 or $7805) per week to do _____ for someone like ______(name of the person in your mission moment story).
- At your event remind your guests about the “what it takes” messages they’ve already read or listened to. Invite your guests to decide how many weeks or months they choose so their contribution makes the biggest impact.
Without this knowledge, your guests will likely give smaller amounts, if at all.
Remember: both their head and their heart must be moved to take action!
On the resources page of my website download a PDF of more than 20 places to share parts of your mission moment story before, during and after your next fundraising event.
