Stories, Fundraising & Life’s Greatest Question

What you will learn in this episode:

There is one question that more of us would ask than any other question:  What's my purpose here?

From the beginning of our history, humankind has been grappling with the age-old questions: 

• Why am I here? 
• What is the reason for my existence? 
• What is the meaning of my life? 
• Is there a reason for my presence in the universe?

These questions are universal. They lurk deep within the secret chambers of every human being on earth regardless of their race, color, ethnic heritage, socioeconomic status, or nationality.

Harry T. Jones teaches business leaders that: 

"Purpose involves having a passion for impact beyond yourself. Amazing inspiration and energy are released when we serve a purpose beyond ourselves. In business, profit is significant. But profit for the purpose of impacting others is fuel for a significant business and life!" (Read more here).

As nonprofit leaders, we have the unique opportunity to serve people by allowing them to answer this question: WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? 

Fundraising gold nugget: Stories are the currency that fundraisers collect to pay their donors.

Telling stories of impact that connect the daily efforts of your mission to donors' gifts is a significant part of a fundraiser's job. Through stories, we connect the work we do to the benefits it brings to others. 

In the book Change Your World, John Maxwell says that connecting our mission to "the benefits it brings to others leads to better results, greater satisfaction, and well-being."

In Life's Greatest Question, Tom Rath gives examples of this:

"...when a cook...can literally see the people they serve, it increases that customer's satisfaction with the meal by 10%."

"If the cook and customer can both see one another, satisfaction with meal quality goes up 17% and service is 13% faster.”

Through well crafted stories, we allow donors to actually “see” the impact of their gift.

Fundraising gold nugget: Stories of lives impacted by our mission inspire donors to give more and increase their satisfaction and well-being.

Donors experience a far greater sense of belonging and dedication to your mission when you connect their gifts with stories of impact.

Want more money? Tell better stories!!

David

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

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You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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