When you set out to raise funds for your worthy charity or cause there are only two words that really matter. Get these right and you’ll need little else to be wildly successful.
You’re kidding me. Just two words? It can’t be that simple.
No I’m not and yes it is. We fundraisers are no different than the rest of humanity. Given the option we always tend to over complicate. What’s that law of thermodynamics? The one about chaos always increasing?
The two words? Truth and trust.
Why these, you ask?
First of all, because they represent the essence of philanthropy and second because the qualities they describe are, unfortunately, all too rare.
What donors value most is truth and trust. The unvarnished truth for both your successes and failures. The unvarnished truth in your dealings with them. The trust that comes from doing what you say you will do for both big and small promises. The trust that becomes sterling from keeping the donors’ values.
Principle 1 of The Eight Principles™ is Donors are the Drivers®. Donors drive the philanthropic enterprise with their values, visions and, of course, their resources. If you understand this and act upon it, you are well on your way.
Sure, there are lots of systems and processes you can employ in effective fundraising for your cause. Most of these are even beneficial.
If you’ve nailed the truth and trust categories, however, most everything else will sort itself out.
Principle 7 of The Eight Principles™ is Renew & Refresh™. Truth telling with investors and keeping their trust will renew your donors year end and year out, and will make acquiring new ones almost effortless.
Trust me.
Why? It’s as I said in the beginning. Because both are so rare.
