So, here\u2019s the million dollar question: Is your fundraising message up to snuff? <\/strong><\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s amazing or in need of a thorough tune-up, it\u2019s important to review and refresh your fundraising message based on trends, feedback, and results. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the ways your message might not be hitting the right notes. Then, follow the provided checklist to fine-tune it.<\/p>\n Yes, I know you\u2019re helping to advance the community through dozens of strategic partnerships and providing sustainable solutions via implemented best practices.<\/p>\n That\u2019s wonderful and all, but that doesn\u2019t do much to tug at your heartstrings.<\/p>\n Yes, nonprofit jargon<\/a> may work for you and other nonprofit pros. But guess what? They\u2019re selling you on a product you need, not a mission for you to care about.<\/p>\n So ignore the jargon, toss out the idioms, and make your words count. Explain your mission and provide a reason for donors to give without cluttering the appeal with well-intentioned but ineffective fluff. Find nonprofit’s communications voice <\/a>so to speak!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve heard it once, you\u2019ve heard it a million times: donors give to your mission, not your organization. Yet it\u2019s so hard for many of us to switch to an impact-based fundraising message to ensure we\u2019re conveying this correctly.<\/p>\n If your fundraising message addresses how your organization is helping to solve the problem, or if you\u2019re asking donors to give to address some inexact solution, then you\u2019re missing the mark.<\/p>\n Which sounds better?<\/p>\n Make your community of supporters the hero, and don\u2019t forget to use \u201cyou\u201d as often as you can!<\/p>\n Not every donor will personally connect with your cause– that\u2019s a given. But whether your work involves saving an obscure endangered species, preserving farmland, supporting your local elementary school, or providing wrap-around service for victims of domestic and sexual violence, you must find a way to get your target donor to relate to it.<\/p>\n Since stories are so powerful in helping foster that essential connection, use them whenever possible in your fundraising appeals. Allow your audience to put themselves in your client\u2019s shoes, or see the benefits of your work. Images work wonders, as do videos, and short story snippets.<\/p>\n By ignoring the story, you\u2019re setting your message up for failure. If it\u2019s not relatable, it\u2019s not working.<\/p>\n If you didn\u2019t care about your nonprofit\u2019s mission, you probably wouldn\u2019t be working there. So, what\u2019s your \u201cwhy?\u201d What about your organization compels you to spend your days connecting with supporters and fundraising? What makes your nonprofit different from others?<\/p>\n Chances are, your \u201cwhy\u201d is quite similar to your supporter\u2019s \u201cwhy.\u201d Remember, your audience isn\u2019t necessarily buying what you do, but why you do it.<\/p>\n Therefore, if you\u2019re not explaining to your donors why they should get involved, then your fundraising message isn\u2019t as powerful as it should be. Your donors know why they should give to your cause, but you need to reinforce that reasoning in your message.<\/p>\n If you need a refresher on finding your \u201cwhy,\u201d head back to Simon Sinek\u2019s amazing TED Talk : How Great Leaders Inspire Action<\/a>.<\/p>\n In explaining the \u201cwhy\u201d don\u2019t be afraid to think outside the box. Infographics and bold statistics (relatable, of course) are effective formats to use.<\/p>\n In our fast-paced world, we\u2019re constantly bombarded with messages from our friends and family, as well as businesses and brands. Unfortunately, it\u2019s hard to stand out in the crowd with so much noise out there, which is why a boring fundraising message just isn\u2019t going to work in attracting an audience and converting them into donors.<\/p>\n Instead of sticking with a plain and simple fundraising message, push the envelope. Use clever songs in your fundraising video like AMIGOS de las Americas did to promote their peer-to-peer fundraiser<\/a> or try an intriguing hashtag.<\/p>\n Try being funny, sarcastic, daring or bold to get your point across and get noticed in the process.<\/p>\n You use multiple avenues to present your fundraising message to prospective donors. Today, you\u2019re reaching out using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, your website, donation page<\/a>, emails, direct mail, phone calls, in-person meetings, and so on. It\u2019s a lot to manage, to say the least.<\/p>\n The problem starts to arise when you present your fundraising messages on these platforms and you don\u2019t remain consistent. Advertising different campaigns, focusing on contrasting stories, or using different campaign descriptors can easily confuse your audience.<\/p>\n Inconsistency looks bad on you and erodes your supporters\u2019 trust in your process. It\u2019s better to recycle a fundraising message then confuse your donors.<\/p>\n Summer is the perfect time to refresh your fundraising message, and you should be done just in time for the busy fall fundraising rush. Use this checklist to ensure your offers are connecting with your donors.<\/p>\n Before you push out your fundraising message this fall, give it a quick once-over. A refresh every now and then is good to help you present an effective offer that will get your donor\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n6 Ways Your Message Isn\u2019t Making the Cut<\/h2>\n
1. There\u2019s Too Much Jargon<\/h3>\n
![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CCAN-Jargon-1024x270.jpg\")
2. It\u2019s Organization-Focused<\/h3>\n
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![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OSU-Alumni-Impact-1024x324.jpg\")
3. It\u2019s Hard to Relate To<\/h3>\n
![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Beyond-Borders-Story.jpg\")
4. There\u2019s No \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/h3>\n
![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Testicular-Cancer-Foundation.jpg\")
5. It\u2019s Boring<\/h3>\n
![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ALS-Ice-Bucket-challenge.jpg\")
6. It\u2019s Inconsistent<\/h3>\n
Fundraising Message \u201cRefresh\u201d Checklist<\/h2>\n
![\"fundraising](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Checklist.jpg\")
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