We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Have you ever tried? It’s a myth. You sure can! New forms of games or play can actually provide more happiness and longevity in a dog’s later years. Don’t just believe something is true just because you’ve heard it a few times. It pays to look for yourself, to ask questions. This is the overall state of donor engagement these days among many social good organizations.
Have you ever heard “The number one reason people don’t give is because they’re not asked”? It’s also a myth. It’s the biggest myth leading to crowded inboxes and an over-saturation of solicitation according to Greg Warner, CEO of MarketSmart, author of the book Engagement Fundraising: How to Raise More Money for Less in the 21st Century, and a recent guest on The sgENGAGE Podcast. In the episode, Greg speaks with Blackbaud’s Steve MacLaughlin on the concept of engagement fundraising, how it differs from relationship fundraising, and why social good organizations need to adapt to this new state of being. Greg’s passion is evident throughout the interview as he explains the concept of engagement fundraising and why it is so crucial.
Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:
What is Engagement Fundraising?
- It looks at the consideration process that the donor goes through and tries to consider how to engage rather than solicit
- It’s not about moving donors – it’s about donors moving themselves forward in the consideration process
- It aligns offers that provide value to that particular donor based on their life story, interests and desires
“Engagement fundraising looks at the consideration process that the donor goes through and tries to consider, if you do it well, how are we going to engage, not solicit. And by the way, solicitation is a very teeny, tiny, teeny, tiny component of fundraising. In fact it happens almost automatically if everything else is done right.”
How Can Your Organization Implement Engagement Fundraising?
- Open your mind and challenge long standing ideas for relationship fundraising in your organization
- Consider the interests of your donors and what value you can provide unique to your organization
“So engagement fundraising is about helping to facilitate the thought process and helping supporters move themselves through the consideration continuum – not by soliciting them and not by telling them how great the organization is and what they can do – but rather by aligning offers that provide value to that particular donor based on their life story, interests, desires, all that and according to where they reside in the consideration process.”
Listen to the rest of what Greg has to say on opening your mind to engagement fundraising in The sgENGAGE Podcast Episode 85: Understanding Engagement Fundraising.
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Thank you for sharing Joe.
Good insights, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this interesting perspective.
Bust those myths!!
Sounds like an interesting interview! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing an insightful article.
“It’s not about moving donors – it’s about donors moving themselves forward in the consideration process”
Wow. What a valuable perspective.
thanks for sharing
“aligning offers that provide value to that particular donor based on their life story, interests, desires, all that” – I can’t tell you how much sense that makes. The biggest gifts our organization received this past year were unexpected because we made connections with people and listened to their stories and they felt tied to our mission as a result.
This is so encouraging! This is the direction that my org has started to move toward and I am glad to read that we are on the right track!
Wow, this is a big change in thinking, but I think it makes sense – people expect everyone, even us small not-for-profits, to adapt to how they want to be engaged – now to make it happen!
Interesting and Cute dog
Thank you for sharing, Joe! These are good insights.
Always good encouragement – it’s never too late to keep growing and learning!
“Have you ever heard ‘The number one reason people don’t give is because they’re not asked’? It’s also a myth. It’s the biggest myth leading to crowded inboxes and an over-saturation of solicitation…”
Absolutely the problem if an organization is stuck in “we’ve always done it this way” rut.
LOVE the comment that solicitation is just a tiny part! Building the relationship is the key! GREAT article!
This shows me that my organization is on a good path. Thanks for the validation! It’s interesting how just a simple thank you can go a long way. Recently I had to call people to update their credit cards we had on file, 2 out of the 3 increased their monthly giving without my asking. It was because I was prepared with information- how long they’d been giving, how it maybe coincided with their graduation, etc. It’s exciting to get a gift without really asking.
Thank you for helping think from a different perspective.
Thank you
Thank you!
Engage, not solicit. Words to live by.
Thanks for sharing! Great advice!
What timing for me! I was making thank you phone calls last night, and I always take time to look at the person’s history and information on their record before making the call. Taking a moment to find a way to engage them beyond giving and TY makes such a difference. I may have even recruited someone to help us at an upcoming event! Thank you for this reinforcement of my philosophy. I must be doing something right!
Great Advice Joe! Miss working with the dogs? 😉