As a nonprofit leader, it is likely that building and maintaining donor trust is one of your highest priorities. Have you ever thought about embracing radical transparency as a practice to foster long-lasting relationships and build trust? An upcoming meeting or retreat could provide a perfect forum for your team’s reflection on this topic.
Paint the Full Picture
What is radical transparency? It goes far beyond reporting on finances and operations. It's about sharing your vision, challenges, successes, processes and even shortcomings. It means being upfront about where you and your organization are excelling and where you are working to improve.
Show and Tell the Story
One nonprofit leadership team I worked with years ago actively embraced transparency in their donor communications. Facing challenges with their specialized yet outdated, outgrown facility, they opened their doors wide and invited donors and volunteers into crowded spaces that didn’t function as well as they could. They told incredible stories about the work happening with young people and staff inside these spaces. They talked about the need to unlock more space and the ripple effects that would have on their entire program. Their show and tell approach, whether at in-person events or coffee chats, on phone calls, or in writing, were infused with pride and honesty as they openly discussed obstacles.
Find the Difference Makers
What happened next? Their transparent strategy captivated and inspired potential donors who were left feeling like part of the team, like they knew the organization behind the scenes, and saw themselves as the difference makers. Those donors in fact made all the difference when the organization was successful in meeting their capital campaign goal and opened a new campus center addition.
Gain Trust
Why is transparency so crucial? It demonstrates trustworthiness, accountability, and an authentic commitment to your cause. It shows donors your layers behind the scenes and demonstrates that you are dedicated to responsible and ethical stewards of generous gifts.
Questions to Ask
- Do we regularly share detailed information including both successes and challenges, with our donors?
- Do we have open channels for donors to learn more, visit, ask questions or share concerns?
- Are we clear and specific about how donations are used with concrete examples of their impact?
Spend some time looking inward at your own transparency practice. Your team, donors, and mission will be better for it.
Every nonprofit leader will face a time when even the best plans don't work out. When that happens, working harder isn't necessarily the answer. It might be time for a reset. This summer, we'll be sharing stories and ideas to regroup, reimagine, reinvigorate... and reset!
