The ongoing work to grow giving that saves and changes lives is just a set of skills and disciplines.
Why, then, is it so daunting in any season, but especially so amidst these extraordinary challenges for 2020.
Along with countless other skills each of us have picked up in 2020, development leaders must add growing impactful influence to their toolkits.
To date, immense pressures and needs have already arisen and will continue as we watch damage unfold in this world. At the same time this is revealing itself more fully, many people and organizations are also screaming about their income, their business, their fundraising needs, their cause, or their point of view.
Being heard is extremely difficult.
It’s important to step back and clarify the true influence you and your organization have.
Online communication, in many ways, has put us more in touch with one another than any time prior in history. However, saying – or rather posting – is not a guarantee for being heard nor influence. This is a recipe for great frustration and little progress.
The world is in the middle of a profoundly difficult time that will define generations; ripples are reaching the shores of each individual’s home front no matter their story or standpoint.
Planning is a must. Communication and posting is important. But, it’s ACTION that will mobilize people to their highest and best. Circle the wagons. Gather and form a Task Force. Make sure about what this broadcasting communicates. Take measurable steps forward that make a difference in the lives you serve.
Do an accounting of your influence.
Who are the people that you can reach?
We are not just talking about reaching people via email, via letter, and social media. We are talking about knowing the people with whom you can truly communicate! Anybody can blast something out on social media. It’s a little bit harder to actually follow up and take action.
Yes, the needs feel countless, overwhelming, beyond our reach.
So, let’s not compete on needs and noise volume. Instead, let’s give people the opportunity to fund a plan to actually accomplish something specific.
Informing and guiding givers encourages a greater return on your investment to your efforts to reach out to begin with, but follow-up is the key trust-building activity. In times of crisis, donors give where they have trust. Anyone today can mobilize a cause online, most without results. People who have trust with givers are the ones who can take action, rally a giving movement, and follow-up to report the results.
Start communicating overall to those in your sphere of influence. Say something like this: “Hey, we are seeing a lot of need. We’re putting together a plan to respond to these challenges, but I want to hear how YOU are doing. What’s all this looking like in your life? What advice do you have for us? What steps should we be taking together? Is there a way you can help make this happen?”
I pray this provides you with a structure for continuing your efforts to grow significant giving. Now, more than ever, communication and connection and listening are highly valued. Your continued work encourages me too! Report back to me – our team loves to hear how these words impact you and your ministry.
We have a Rapid Success Project tool that may be helpful to you as you move forward with the above planning and suggested action steps! Download this tool today.