I’m incredibly passionate about shifting our conversations about money. Especially in the social sector. ESPECIALLY for people like you working to raise the funds you require to do your important work.
Every day I encounter people who get hung up talking about money.
What I’ve found is the discomfort talking about money has a direct correlation to the amount of money an organization raises each year.
In my work, my goal is to inspire people to get excited to talk about how the money they are raising makes a difference for the people they serve.
I make it a point to regularly share examples of CEOs, Development Directors, and Board Members who are so good at talking about their organization’s funding gap they receive checks and online contributions that are larger than usual and often arrive without ever having to “make the ask.”
Quick Refresher: the funding gap is the difference between your total expenses minus what you have raised to date…not pledges or pending grants…but what is in the door and already working to serve your community.
What makes people good at talking about money?
1. They accept the reality that every nonprofit organization has a funding gap – from the first day of their fiscal year to the moment they close the gap.
2. They understand the funding gap is NOT a measure of a badly run organization. It’s a measure of how much the work you do is needed by your community.
3. They are eager to share people and money stories with everyone. Often.
I encourage you to share your funding gap using authentic communication about the reality of running your business. And yes you DO run a business. It may be a not-for-profit business, but it’s still a business.
The key is to share examples of you work by using stories of lives that are changed because of the work you do.
It’s important to share the large number (total annual funding gap you must raise this year) so we can see the full “gap” that has to be closed.
How cool would it be to have someone hand you a check for $50,000 as happened to Carla, one of my clients, a few months ago. She shared the update on where things were with closing the gap before year-end with a long-time donor. The update included the information that the organization was about $50,000 behind last year at the same time. The donor stopped by with a check for that same amount later that same day saying, “I don’t want to have you worry about where the funds will come from to do all that you need to do.” True story.
It’s equally important to share examples of how real people’s lives are changed with smaller dollar amounts: tell people that it takes $47 a month to help Janice learn the skills she needs to pass her GED test. Or it takes about $250 to provide hands-on weekend trainings for more than 500 youth leaders.
The more passionate you are when sharing this information with potential donors, the more excited they will be to help you.
Here’s the key to amp up your enthusiasm about money talk: Remember you are fulfilling the aspirations of your donors. Remember you are giving them the OPPORTUNITY to be of support and be a part of your community.
The goal is to allow supporters to be a part of something greater, in whatever way they choose; and making them feel great about making that choice.
Don’t be shy about allowing anyone and everyone in your community know that you welcome their generosity no matter how they choose to give it.
I’m passionate about making sure our work has ease and joy. Now go bring joy to someone today by sharing the update on how you are doing closing YOUR funding gap.
Want Lori to help bring easy & joy into your work? Schedule your FREE 30 minute strategy session today!
