There’s no such thing as “generic’ persuasion.
Truly understanding your organization’s ideal donor is the most important element in your fundraising success.
Have you created your organization’s “donor profile?”
What is her level of education? Where does she shop? What other organizations does she contribute to? What is her income level? Where does she live? What does she do for fun?
You get the picture.
Most of the clients I come in contact cannot describe their “ideal donor” in detail.
The more you know about who is attracted to your organization the stronger your donor base.
Confused about fundraising? What is “donor-centric” fundraising? Learn why Simple Development Systems is your “road map to success that can take the scary out and bring in a sense of comfort, self-confidence, and focus about what can and should be done.”
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Pamela, you are so correct – a strong donor base is possible when organizations know donor profiles. I see this more and more in the direct mail pieces I receive. I can tell when a nonprofit is talking to me – a female, giving to multiple orgs, etc, etc – and when I get a generic communication not targeted to me.
I also see my clients have better returns at charity auctions when they know guests profiles and can match up the auction items and price points with guests. The research really does pay off.
Thanks for the reminder to think these questions through. Am in the process of setting up “listening” methods for my organization.
And thanks for using “she” instead of “he.” If “he” can be universal, so can “she.”
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