Hello! 

Fundraising can be a daunting journey, but you’re not alone. You have an ally in navigating the challenges. Through a thoughtful approach, together we can transform your nonprofit’s trajectory. Our approach is anchored in personalized storytelling, seamlessly executed campaigns, and a mindful strategy, designed to elevate your organization.

Let’s dive into how we can go on this journey together.

Personalized Storytelling:

In the hustle of fundraising, your nonprofit’s narrative deserves to be more than a mere report of events and outcomes—it should be a compelling saga that resonates deeply with your tribe. Thoughtful storytelling ensures that your mission’s distinctive facets are not just acknowledged but celebrated. From an individual’s personality, needs, and successes to articulating the tangible impact of every contribution to the community, we’re dedicated to transforming your constituents’ story into a memorable connection that inspires.

Multi-Channel Campaigns:

Fundraising shouldn’t be a solo performance. Through campaign strategy we are ready to stand by your side, leveraging your people and assets to orchestrate multi-channel campaigns that ensure your message reverberates across diverse platforms. From traditional mail to social media engagement, email, and events, we tailor campaigns to suit the preferences of your audience. Mindfulness is our promise, guaranteeing your voice is heard clearly and with heart-felt intention, creating a buzz that sticks in the hearts and minds of your donors.

Expertise:

In the ever-evolving landscape of fundraising, experience is your ally, and we’re here to make it work for you. Our thoughtful mindset integrates analytics, segmentation, and a personable email and social media presence. Picture a world where fundraising becomes a rewarding and engaging experience for you and your supporters. We are on a mission to turn the fundraising landscape into a symphony of campaign processes ensuring a dynamic, enjoyable journey for you and your donors.

Fundraising is hard, but remember, you’re not alone. Let’s do this journey together—aligning heartfelt personalized storytelling, the dynamism of multi-channel campaigns, and a mindful strategy. We’re your partners in creating narratives that resonate, engage, and raise funds that allow you to thrive. Together, let’s sculpt a strategy that fits the uniqueness of your mission and serves your community!

With Gratitude,

Patrick

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Faith-based organizations are at a critical juncture. The challenges are multifaceted, from declining donor trust to the erosion of traditional engagement avenues. Yet, amidst these challenges lie opportunities for innovation and adaptation. 

By examining recent Faith-Based Giving Reports and understanding the dynamics of generosity across the nonprofit sector, there is an opportunity to embrace new strategies for donor engagement that can chart a path for organizations toward a future filled with impact and growth.

As we compare the challenges and opportunities found in the Givelify Giving in Faith 2024 Report to prevailing findings of faith-based philanthropy in the nonprofit sector presented by Classy’s Faith-Based Giving Trends we can begin to chart the path ahead.

Understanding the Landscape of Faith-Based Generosity:

Recent studies on charitable giving in the United States have raised concerns about declining generosity, while informal forms of giving are prevalent among people of faith. 

The Giving in Faith 2024 Report, produced by Givelify in collaboration with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, offers a comprehensive exploration of faith-based giving in the U.S. by examining the perspectives of individual givers, faith leaders, and congregations.

The Giving in Faith 2024 Report highlights the deep-rooted connection between faith and philanthropy, showcasing how religious beliefs are powerful motivators for giving. Despite concerns about declining giving nationwide, faith-based individuals have exhibited remarkable generosity, contributing not only financially but also through their time and resources. The report also underscores the pivotal role of faith institutions in fostering community development and social impact, serving as beacons of hope in times of need.

Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

The landscape of faith-based fundraising has its challenges though. Declining church attendance, decreasing religious affiliation, and a loss of trust in religious organizations at a macro scale pose significant obstacles to fundraising efforts. 

However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and adaptation. By understanding generational dynamics and crafting tailored experiences for donors we can overcome barriers to engagement and inspire a new wave of generosity.

The Current Sector Landscape

According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, the nonprofit sector is experiencing a decline in donor trust, with consumers now placing more trust in for-profit businesses than nonprofits. This trend is particularly significant for faith-based organizations, given the additional pressures they face:

• Decline in Church Attendance: The number of church attendees has yet to fully recover from the lows of the pandemic, impacting the traditional avenues for engagement and donations.

• Decrease in Religious Affiliation: By 2020, only 47 percent of Americans belonged to a house of worship, indicating a decline in religious affiliation and potential donors.

• Erosion of Trust: Religious organizations are no longer the most trusted charities in the U.S., further exacerbating the challenges faced by faith-based nonprofits.

While these trends may seem daunting, they also present an opportunity for innovation and adaptation. As Mark Neigh, Vice President of Digital at Masterworks, puts it,

 “Many people leave the church because they don’t see organized religion living out the core principles they believe in, like helping those in need.” 

This sentiment underscores the importance of creating relevant and meaningful experiences for donors, particularly younger generations who are seeking authenticity and impact in their philanthropic endeavors.

Generational Dynamics:

Understanding the motivations and preferences of segmented generations is important to crafting effective engagement strategies. While younger generations may approach philanthropy differently from their predecessors, the underlying ethos of generosity remains consistent across generations. By leveraging digital platforms and storytelling techniques, faith-based organizations can create meaningful connections with donors and foster a sense of belonging to your cause.

Crafting Tailored Experiences:

Faith-based organizations must move beyond transactional interactions and focus on creating transformative experiences. Whether through community-building initiatives, compelling branding, or multichannel marketing strategies, there is an opportunity to cultivate deep, long-lasting relationships with donors. By aligning messaging and outreach efforts with the preferences of each generation, faith-based organizations can inspire continued support and loyalty.

Key Strategies for Success

• Community Building: Establishing a community is essential for retaining donors across generations. Faith-based organizations can leverage the power of faith and aligned values to build community, particularly by leveraging segmented messages,  relevant storytelling, and strategic events to engage constituents, donors, and prospects by fostering peer-to-peer connections.

• Branding: Building a story-informed brand identity can instill trust and legitimacy among donors, particularly younger generations. Consistent messaging and related storytelling will strengthen connections and inspire involvement.

• Multichannel Campaigns: Embracing a multichannel approach will allow you to tailor a unified message that connects with constituents and potential donors across multiple engagement points and platforms. Using digital and traditional approaches with segmented audiences will ensure you are maximizing your potential and effectiveness.

Embracing Change for Growth:

Faith-based organizations can proactively adapt to the evolving fundraising landscape. By understanding donor motivations and preferences and by fostering meaningful connections and experiences, organizations can reverse downward giving trends and pave the way for sustainable growth and impact.

As we navigate the uncertainties of the future, one thing remains clear: the power of generosity and community transcends generations and challenges. By harnessing the power of storytelling, data intelligence, and community building, organizations can pivot their fundraising strategies to meet the evolving needs of donors.

While change is inevitable if we are purposed to listen, learn, and respond mindfully, the path forward can be hope-filled for your organization as we continuously learn what inspires and motivates donors to give.

Read more about the Power of Listening in Fundraising

With Gratitude,

Patrick

Have you ever wondered what truly matters to your donors? The key lies in a simple yet profound act: listening. It’s the cornerstone of fundraising, setting the stage for meaningful connections and informed actions.

In the realm of fundraising, donors take center stage, and you must resist dictating what should matter to them. Instead, the focus shifts to hearing directly from donors and learning about their interests, passions, and motivations.

1: Do Less, Listen More 

The journey begins with establishing two-way communication from the onset. A three-part automated email series for new donors can allow you to prioritize listening right from the start. By encouraging responses to these emails and personalizing replies, this approach will signal a donor-centric attitude.

2: Tune Into Donors

Digital behaviors, website visits, email clicks—these are all signals that reveal a donor’s engagement level and interests. Utilizing tracking tools and social listening enables you to gather insights efficiently, fostering connections based on individual preferences.

3: Survey Your Lists

Regularly seek formal feedback through surveys and interviews. By asking insightful questions, understanding donor motivations, and adapting strategies accordingly, you demonstrate a commitment to refining your fundraising approach and building relationships with donors.

4: Pay Attention to Social Media

Social media is a great listening platform, offering insights into donor interests and sentiments. Engaging actively in online conversations and identifying influential donors can amplify the impact of your fundraising.

5: Map Relationships

Understanding donors within their communities is powerful. By mapping relationships based on social groups, you can suggest more personalized actions, building micro-movements for your cause.

6: Be Curious. Ask Questions

Every interaction is an opportunity to learn more. Whether through casual conversations or formal surveys, organizations can extract valuable insights by staying curious and encouraging team members to do the same.

7: Have A Feedback Loop

Feedback loops should be simple, standardized, and actionable. Closing the loop on donor feedback ensures a responsive approach and strengthens donor relationships.

8: Group Donors By Personas

Creating donor personas based on collected data allows organizations to tailor communications, content, and actions for different donor segments. This personalized approach enhances the overall donor experience.

For example, suppose you discover three distinct donor groups through a feedback loop. By defining new donor personas, you can now tailor your communications to appeal to each group’s specific interests.

In the world of fundraising, every interaction is a chance to listen, learn, and connect. By placing donors at the heart of the journey, you can forge lasting relationships and make a meaningful impact.

Reach out to learn more!

With Gratitude,

Patrick

The journey of running a nonprofit organization is filled with challenges and fundraising can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you wondering where to turn for support. Fear not, here is a fundraising framework just for you!

1. Know Your Audience: Build Meaningful Connections

In the world of engaged fundraising, understanding your audience is key. Take the time to connect with your supporters on a personal level. This insight can help you to craft a compelling stories that resonates with them. Share stories of impact, showcasing the real-life change your nonprofit is making. Send a timely “Thank You” note and include a bit of encouragement. Make your supporters feel like integral members of your community, and they’ll be more likely to engage and contribute.

2. Use Multi-Channel Campaigns: Meet Your Donors Where They Are

Multi-channel fundraising campaigns help you to build a following, engage constituents, and raise money! Don’t limit yourself to a single platform – a diversified and integrated approach is the key. Engage with your audience across various channels, including social media, email, and even traditional methods like direct mail. By meeting your people where they are, you increase the chances of catching their attention and building a relationship that goes beyond a follow, a like, or a one-time donation.

3. Segment Your Donor Base: Personalization Matters

Segmentation will supercharge your campaigns and amplify your engagement. The process will also help you understand who your followers, constituents, and donors are. Personalization is not just a buzzword; it’s a strategy that can significantly boost engagement. Identify key segments within your database and tailor your messaging to address their specific interests and motivations. A personalized approach makes people feel valued and understood, fostering a deeper connection with your cause.

4. Streamline Technology: Simplify Your Processes

Technology is your ally in the quest for fundraising success. Leverage fundraising platforms, CRM systems, and other tools that can streamline your processes. Automation can help reduce administrative burdens, allowing you to focus more on building relationships with donors. Embracing technology doesn’t just make your life easier; it also creates a more seamless and enjoyable experience for your supporters.

5. Set Clear Goals: Inspire Action with a Purpose

Your donors want to be a part of something meaningful. Clearly articulate your fundraising goals and how they contribute to your overarching mission. Make your goals specific, measurable, and time-bound. When donors understand the impact of their contributions, they are more likely to feel a sense of purpose and urgency, driving them to take action.

6. Celebrate Milestones: Show Appreciation and Recognition

Acknowledging the efforts and contributions of your donors is crucial for building lasting relationships. Create a culture of appreciation with timely recognition. Wait too long and you may miss the opportunity for a second gift. Show appreciation through social media shout-outs, personalized emails, “Thank You” cards, and donor appreciation events. You need to make your supporters feel like the heroes they are.

7. Diversify Revenue Streams: Plan for Long-Term Sustainability

To thrive it’s essential to diversify your revenue streams. Explore various fundraising avenues, such as recurring campaigns, business partnerships, workplace giving, event sponsorships, and peer-to-peer programs. By establishing a diverse funding portfolio, you not only insulate your organization from economic uncertainties but also create a foundation for long-term sustainability.

In the fundraising journey, remember that every interaction with your supporters is an opportunity to strengthen your community and advance your mission. Embrace the insights shared and infuse them with your unique passion and dedication.

Hopefully, this has been a source of inspiration and a beacon of hope. Together, we can create a future where your nonprofit not only survives but flourishes, making a lasting impact on the lives you touch.

I am here to help with personalized storytelling, multi-channel campaigns, and a mindful approach, so you’re poised to not just survive but thrive in the world of fundraising.

Keep inspiring, keep connecting, and keep bringing hope to the world.

With gratitude,

Patrick

Now is the time to be focused on your Monthly Giving Program and appealing to those potential donors.

In the dynamic world of fundraising, finding the right focus for your efforts is essential, and your Monthly Giving Program could be the key to unlocking a sustained and engaged donor base. Building relationships and nurturing donors is a year-round task, but strategic focus can significantly boost your program’s effectiveness. Let’s explore why your Monthly Giving Program is a vital component of your fundraising plan.

Finding the Right Timing:

Navigating multiple campaigns simultaneously can be overwhelming, making it challenging to effectively engage potential donors. Consider shining a spotlight on your Monthly Giving Program between your spring and year-end fundraising campaigns. This targeted approach allows you to capture the attention of potential donors without competing with other campaigns.

The Importance of Your Monthly Giving Program:

Your Monthly Giving Program holds a pivotal role in providing financial stability to your organization. By transitioning one-time and annual givers up the engagement ladder, you cultivate a deeper investment in your mission. This not only increases their lifetime giving value but also enhances the likelihood of retaining these donors in the long run.

Building a Loyal Community:

A branded monthly giving program offers the opportunity to create a loyal and engaged community within your giving circle. Imagine these contributors as long-term investors in the success of your mission. Engaging monthly donors requires a unique approach, much like companies interact with investors differently from one-time customers. This strategy adds depth and stability to your mission, fostering a sense of belonging among your donors.

Moving from One-Time to Monthly Giving:

Just as a one-time consumer may need several engagements before becoming a loyal customer, so too does a one-time giver. Gradually, as their consistency and engagement increase, you can extend an invitation for them to become monthly donors. Think of it like someone subscribing to a monthly service they love. As a community-driven mission, this is your chance to create a circle of deeply invested individuals connected not just to your cause but to each other and the community.

Real-Life Inspiration: Kingdom Eyes Monthly Giving Program

For example consider the Monthly Giving Program that we developed for Kingdom Eyes, a disability awareness organization. Branded as “Kingdom Builders,” this program identifies individuals who resonate with the mission and understand the transformative power of their investment. The program breaks down the impact of the donor’s investment and extends an invitation to quarterly gatherings for community and connection with like-minded individuals. This community-building opportunity aims to be both fun and uniquely aligned with the organization’s culture, ensuring that participants walk away feeling connected and part of a community that truly matters.

A Monthly Giving Program can bring financial stability to your organization by moving one-time and annual givers up the engagement ladder to be more invested in your mission, increasing their lifetime giving value and increasing the likelihood of keeping those donors engaged in your mission long-term.

By Patrick Kennedy

5 min read

Events are a love / hate relationship for many, but we all know that events drive engagement, that’s why we do them. Not all events are engaging and an event without the proper context can drive your budget into a hole. Now in our digital world we especially need to be thinking about context as our events are turning virtual. By establishing our “Why” and a strong narrative we will create meaningful context and engagement across live and virtual gatherings.

For years I’ve seen a ton of success integrating live events with digital campaigns. A well orchestrated campaign can provide a much needed and powerful context for your fundraising event. With this strategy it’s not about the event as much as it’s about the campaign as a whole. Making the event a compliment versus the main focus will allow you to leverage your fundraising event in a powerful story based framework to drive engagement toward your fundraising goals. So as we move into a virtual event landscape, we can make the digital campaign even more explosive, especially now that people are becoming normalized to the virtual meet-up. The digital and virtual landscape is dynamic. If we integrate virtual events with digital campaigns we will be able to elevate the event medium to make a more powerful appeal that highlights impactful stories, and casts a vision that inspires your constituents to give.

You may be thinking that the virtual event will never replace the in-person event, and I agree. In person connections will always be more meaningful but that doesn’t mean that we can’t leverage the digital landscape to create impact moments that can be just as lucrative!

According to recent study, Why America Gives 2020, “30% of survey respondents said they supported or participated in a virtual charity event since the start of the pandemic. Of those respondents, 60% said they donated and/or raised more in the virtual environment than they have for past in-person events. These results not only underline people’s willingness to participate virtually, but the possibility for greater levels of support.”

Event planners like Danielle Snelson are pushing the fold on virtual events and seeing a huge upside. The most noticeable upside is that virtual events can be a fraction of the cost to produce, which can allow you to increase returns by connecting with more people while cutting production time. An innovation that can cut down on time and expense while increasing revenue is definitely worth pursuing – and when you sync it up with a well orchestrated campaign, you may just see exponential returns.  

This is a great 10 min conversation with Danielle Snelson on her experience with virtual events.

Here’s the big take away: There is a huge upside to virtual events. Consider creating one and put it into context within a digital campaign. 

By Patrick Kennedy

5 min read

It’s the digital age and your organization has almost every tool at your disposal to communicate with people, and most of these tools are FREE! That’s amazing and exciting, but that also means there’s a lot of noise out there, because everyone is doing it.

The question is “How do you cut through the digital noise?” 

The good news is that you’re sitting on a gold mine, and the gold is in your story. 

Storytelling is a timeless framework that leverages all the good work that you’re doing and puts it into a compelling narrative that inspires people to to help you do the great work that you do!

This blog will touch on the basics and even give you a little more to get your storytelling started. So let’s walk through the Storytelling Framework.

1. Character

This is the community you are serving. To develop the Character, you want to identify a single person who represents the whole. This person’s story is a glimpse into the struggle that people are facing. The details of the character such as their name, age, family, who they are, and their unique struggle are key pieces that will connect with your audience.

“If I look at the mass, I will never act. If I look at the one, I will.” ― Mother Teresa

2. Conflict

This is defined as the unique problem that your Character is facing. The conflict is also connected to the larger problem in your community. For example though you may have a huge problem you are trying to solve, such as homelessness – For the sake of your story and your potential fundraising campaign, you will want to try to focus the story on a goal that you need to meet. Such as “We need $50,000 to upgrade our shelter facility”. With this goal you now have an achievable outcome and a filter in which you can choose the right character and proper story so that you can focus on how that character personifies the need to upgrade your shelter facility.

3. Guide

You and your organization are the guide. This is a very important role and a critical perspective for your organization to understand. You need your whole organization to be focused on guiding your constituents (donors, volunteers, and followers) on a journey to become the Hero of the story. These are the people who ultimately serve the needs of your community and therefore need to be communicated to accordingly. The way that you communicate will help your audience know that they are the most important part to the organization and ultimately the Hero that supports your community. If you confuse yourself, your organization, or your program as the Hero serving your community then you may be completely losing connection with your audience and ultimately losing support and impeding your impact. 

4. Hero

Your audience is your Hero – those people who are in your contact list – (Social Media Followers, Email Followers, Volunteers, Donors, and Constituents). Your audience wants to feel like they’re making a difference for the causes they care about. To do this you need these people to feel like they are the solution to the cause – because they are! Without their gifts, voice, and volunteer efforts then there is virtually no solution. Your supporters are the Hero of the story, so be sure not to confuse this with your organization and staff. This can be easy to do. You are in fact the Guide, not the Hero.

5. Call To Action

This is where you present your plan and make your appeal. The clearer you make your plan and appeal, the more impactful you will be. Though the actual internal plan, (facts and figures) may be full of detail and nuance, you must make it very simple and boiled down. As the Guide in the story, your constituents are looking for the answer to the problem and how to respond accordingly as the Hero. If you confuse them with facts, figures, and nuance then you will lose their attention and support! Remember, this is not a grant report. So you must present a simple plan; usually with 3-4 bullets with 1-2 sentences. Then let your audience know what you would like from them and why.

Your “Why” is the most important question that needs to be answered for your audience and it needs to be answered with intention. You then use the conflict of your main character’s story to paint a picture of how life will be better for the community because they responded. Don’t shrink back on the appeal. Be intentional, and direct, and invoke purpose and emotion. Your audience wants to feel like they are making a difference, and that feeling is a powerful retention moment for their heart to connect to your cause for the long term.

Now that you have the framework, consider what kind of stories you need to tell and then run those through the framework. For example, here are three primary stories that you need to be communicating:

1. Fundraising Stories – Stories that help your cause raise money.

2. Impact Stories – Stories that show impact, either successes or challenges.

3. Thank You Stories – Stories that show gratitude for your constituents.

Once you’ve thought through some of the stories you could share, put them into action and reach out to me. I’d love to hear how it’s going!

By Patrick Kennedy

3 min read

Now more than ever our ability to communicate through digital channels is a priority, particularly if we want to stay engaged with our donors and constituents. This is the first of a series of blogs that will hopefully help you think strategically about your communications and lead you on a journey to ultimately thrive in your marketing, fundraising, and outreach. I like to think of communications as the heart that is pumping blood through the body. With a healthy heart your organization is going to think clearly, speak effectively, and run productively.  

As we start out on this journey I’m going to guide you to one of my favorite resources on this topic which is a communications agency out of New York City. Their name is Big Duck and this is a webinar on communications called “Engagement” from their Nonprofit Communications Engine Series. 

Here’s the big take away: “Start with a strategy anchored in an understanding of your audiences, the actions you want them to take, and what’s in it for them.” – Big Duck

The Nonprofit Communications Engine online workshops session 2: Engagement from Big Duck on Vimeo.

Engagement with your audience is what drives donations, connects your services to constituents, and ultimately builds community around your cause. Effective engagement starts with your strategy not your tactics. While digital communications uses an array of digital channels to communicate, we also need to start at the beginning which is your strategy. So if a board member has a great idea about implementing the newest social media channel you can refer back to your strategy, overlay it with your audience personas, and then get a clear idea if it’s going to be the channel you need to implement or not. 

This is the type of thought leader I like to follow and being an active learner is what makes our work better. I hope that it helps you out!