“You won’t truly connect with someone until you see yourself in their story.” This advice, first read in a book years ago, has stuck with us, especially in our work with nonprofits, churches, schools and other charitable organizations.
Relationships and authentic connection have great power in fundraising or in any facet of life. Time and time again, we see a well-told story nestle itself in the heart of a donor. People do not give money because they have money, they give money because they care about something. And stories help nurture and grow that care and commitment.
The gateway to caring is connection. If we develop and ask thoughtful questions and take the time to really listen to the answers we can begin to understand what people believe, value and care about. How do you do that?
If we can help prospective donors to see themselves in people we serve we can inspire them to embrace our cause and support our mission. And for your inspiration, we have two videos, from two very different organizations, that do a great job of doing just that:
University Place Presbyterian Church
Video credit: Michael Rabb, AM Studios and the team at UPPC
YMCA of Greater Birmingham
Video credit: Frank Ozment, Liesa Cole, Stan Bedingfield, John Gaiser, Rich Albright
What about you? Do you have a great example of seeing yourself in the story that you want to share?