Donor meetings can be mysterious and stressful to some. Making an ask for money isn't something we all intuitively know how to do. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah demystify the donor meeting to explain what happens at a typical donor meeting and how you can best prepare. They provide tips on how to think about donor meetings as opportunities to build a relationship with an important member of your community. You'll finish your listening with concrete ideas on how you can strengthen your donor meetings.
Category: Fundraising
Episode 60: Becoming a community giving ambassador
Many of us know community giving projects. They are community-wide invitations to give to your favorite nonprofits usually on one day or in one period of time. Our colleagues in Washington State may know GiveBig. In this episode, Sarah tells Nancy about the story of her local community giving project, Give Methow, and how it has created giving ambassadors throughout the community. They talk about some of the general lessons any nonprofit leader can learn from Give Methow and why it matters.
Episode 56: What to do about inflation
Nonprofits are facing all of the same inflationary pressures as others across our communities. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about how a nonprofit can respond to inflation, particularly related to finance and fundraising. They share some ideas for thinking about salary adjustments, communicating with donors and supporters, and engaging board members in scenario planning. They highlight the importance of true cost accounting and advocacy as ways to expand the amount of money you have to work with. You got this.
Episode 48: Become a trustful nonprofit
There have been a few reports out over the past year that warn us that trust in institutions has decreased, including in nonprofits. One body of research that we will link in the show notes says that only 19% of people highly trust nonprofits. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what causes people to trust a nonprofit, how you know if people trust your nonprofit, and what you can do to increase trust. Trust us, you'll want to take a listen.
Episode 47: Understand your donors’ why
Your donors give for a reason. Do you know what it is? In this episode, Sarah and Nancy explore four common reasons why donors give. They give advice on which of these groups of donors you should spend more of your time with and why. If you don't know why your donors give, listen for some ways that will help you find out. Your mission matters, and money is the fuel for you to deliver that mission. Take 20 minutes to reflect on your fundraising practice so you build your movement for the next year.
Episode 42: Breaking the rules
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what kinds of rules we face as nonprofit leaders and what rules we can break--should break!-- as we build strategy and intention around our programs and practice.
Episode 37: Successful End-of-Year Fundraising
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah discuss ways a small nonprofit can build a simple strategy to raise more money in November and December.
Episode 36: Nonprofit Radio Show LIVE @ Idaho Nonprofit Center conference
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah answer questions from Idaho nonprofit leaders.
Episode 28: Community Building: Strategies for knowing who cares about your mission and how best to engage them
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about how to know who is in your community and how best to engage them.
Episode 27: Communication That Invites People In
Effective communication is key to community building. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk generally about ways to think about communication as a way to bring people in to your community.