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My pleasure and thank you as well
this myth really caught me off-guard too. I had always thought that I had to be connected to rich persons to get funds for a project
I found this module very interesting and refreshing. Truly, your network can be your networth and one really has to look inward, there are tremendous resources there.
@Facilitator I found that you have a very rich experience in different countries. We do have a very good storytelling course: https://courses.philanthropyu.org/courses/course-v1:PhilanthropyU+Storytelling_000+1_1.37_20191118_20191229/about Feel free to join.
@ChegeSimon @julietmyjewel I hope you have started to reach out to your networks if fundraising is needed for your organizations. That would be a very good experience for fundraising from outsiders at a later stage.
Yes, #2! The exercise demonstrated that we can work out from our networks to generate broader support and hopefully ultimately reach those with greater resources.
Thank you for demystifying the myths
@Nelson, Many thanks for the link to the Story Telling course. In fact, every course I have attended has hinted at the crucial role of story telling in bringing stakeholders on board.
The trouble is, when I'm telling a story I tend to get long winded by adding a lot of foot-notes, so I end up being boring. I therefore need to learn telling a story in a proper way.
In his new memoir, A Promised Land, former President Barack Obama describes how, after delivering one of his early presidential campaign speeches, he asked his top advisors, including Mr. David Axelrod, what they thought. He says they told him bluntly that his speech was ok for facts, figures, and all - only it hasn't won him any votes! So, from that moment, these senior advisors, who were established political consultants with several successful campaigns under their belts, went on to coach their novice charge in the DOs and DONTs of an effective campaign speech - and, as they say, the rest is history.
So, it seems story telling can be tought after all.
Thanks again for encouraging me to take this course.
Very well said @jillwuqu.
You are most welcome @julietmyjewel.
You are most welcome @Facilitator.
I had long believed that the rich do matter in fundraising but honestly this module opened me up to greater analysis and indepth study.
I'm surprising to know the 7 myths for fundraising
I have not been aware of all these myths. But then I always though donors need to know about the organisation inside out so that they can easily chip in to provide whatever kind of assistance. And again I believed Soo much in the power of figures( statistics) in influencing donor decisions. Thanks all these have been clarified articulately
So did I, prior to knowing about the 7 myths @tmadhlayo. I am glad we know better as of now.
Thanks for responding to the discussion @Okujja.
I have been improved a lot with this teaching! specifically the first myth that fundraising is about getting cash.
Surely here in Africa and probably in some other parts of the world the language of cash sounds more meaningful than other resources. We need to over come this mind set so as to think of other forms of funding that can also improve our organisations for example books, computers and other materials.
I was surprised to know the myth number 2 and 4 because mostly rich people do philanthropic or charity events and for myth 4, this has been a common perception that mostly the talking must be on the side of the NGO. Little did I know that it is more effective to leave the conversation to the donors.
Rightly said @KibirangoSolomon, thanks for contributing to the discussion.
Well you know now, and I am glad you have come to terms with the knowledge of the myths @ChezEbot.
i was shocked to realize that fundraising was not essential about cash. many times i did not pursue fundraising because i thought i should look for wealthy people with lots of money.
Very true
I was surprised and happy to learn that myth number 3 was not true. I presumed that in most cases, the receiver was solely the people receiving the support.. I didn't think about what donors get out of the partnership.
@Facilitator That's a very good sharing. Perhaps, storytelling is more of an art than science, though we can learn the skills. Wish you find the cue. And thank you for supporting our courses.
I found myth 3 really helpful - rather than simply asking for something, to place some emphasis on what the donor gets from the donation, how it meets their needs and desires.
The Myths did not really surprise me for the most part. But I feel that many people think of giving from a large pool of money. So the idea that knowing rich people or having a lot of money comes to mind when we think of Philanthropy. I was watching a YouTube video about Oprah and was reminded that she urged people to send in pennies and was able to raise a staggering amount of money. Thus showing the power that anything can add up., even from pennies.
@Emma_Kingdon, you have rightly captured the knowledge of the myth in your statement.
@averysherrodjr, I am glad you can attest to the knowledge of the myth with an empirical evidence.
All the myths are important, but the most important thing to highlight is to be listening to all the concerns, of the future donor, which is what is important for him, about what he wants to support and benefit and we will be his listener, his guide and above all else the most honest, transparent about our organization.
I was surprised about myth #4, I know you need to build relationships with your donor however I really thought you needed to tell them as much about your organization so they know why you are reaching out. Good to know!
some time its hard for me as in quiz the answers are different from the leson
But I once thought you need to tell the donors what want instead you should listen to the donors instruction
The myth regarding the way we should explore the organization's potentials and achievement vis-Ã -vis the sponsors' interests really impressed me, to the sense that we should, then, provide different approaches and projects (minimally individualized) to different sponsors. I hope we can further develop these reflections throughout the course.
Fundraising myth no.5 is particularly the mindset I've had for a long time now. I've realized otherwise today.
Thanks for your rich input @irmacuellar.
@eaj2710 for your information, you aren't the only one who found him/herself in that condition on encountering the myths for the first time. However, the most important thing is that you now know better and would be guided accordingly.
Yes @zulfat, most of us thought the same way until we finally encountered the knowledge of the 7 myths.
@marianayante, thanks for joining the ensuing discussion.
@ritareal, I am glad you have as of now.
I thought the same too, I believed the donor should know and have a lot of details about the organisation and the project.
Now I know better!
For me, I learn so many new things. While I am not sounding pessimistic, I'm wondering how to get some of them work in my country. Whether poor or rich, if people cannot see immediate benefit; they are often not willing to tie down their funds.
Myths number 4 and 5 were the myths that most surprised me. I had the feeling that the more you explain about your organization and providing statistics would definitely interest the donor to support your proposal. This is a big lesson learned.
I was suprised by myth number 2. I though knowing rich people puts someone on better position to get the funds required
Fundraising is only about getting cash!
I think only cash is not about geeting from donors, donation in kind also means alot for fundraiser.
I have got surprised with this myth
still hard to understand them as they sound vice versa
I believed in myths 2 and 3 as well here. But I do appreciate how they were clarified. One question I have concerning myth 3 is, how do I present what the donor will receive or gain for supporting me? Thank you
I am greately surprise with myth one.It is really a new experience to me
All the myths I must confess are a reality
What an experience of knowing the myths
I learnt that is necessary try to fill out the expectations of donors according to their social interest.
I really thought so too, naturally one would think selling its organization to the donor is what will get them interested to be involved and want to support. I really appreciate the wealth of Knowledge I've acquired here, Thanks
myth number for helped me a lot i was thinking of the opposite
Exactly what I thought prior to taking this class, I always thought I needed to sell my organization works perfectly to the donor to convince them.
It all makes perfect sense now.
I thought so too, but then listening to Tom I realized he was actually right, you need to give the donor ample opportunity to express himself so as to know his thoughts and opinions about your proposal and also what he/she is actually interested in.
@DesarrolloyLibertad, this is so true.
@Kaycee91, this is a clear indication that you understood the myths.
I am glad you have realized it finally @Kaycee91.
You are most welcome @I43_David
Quiet from the beginning i was believing that statistic and facts are the most important thighs that does make a difference and also will impress the donors, i was wrong, stories when expressed with soul are far more effective than the numbers
Actually Myth one, I always thought fundraising is only about cash. but now i have got a deeper understanding
None of the myths surprised me as this is mostly review and I have been fundraising for years.
I was surprised to lean that fund raising is all about knowing rich people, but my question is are all rich people philanthropist?
really, my question here is this. are all rich people philanthropist?
@DevaPrasad, you are not alone in how you felt the first time you came into contact with the myths, but in the end something good came out of it.
@melvinmattia251, NO!! rich people are not all philanthropist. However, there are some rich people who are philanthropist.
sure. that is always the case. not everybody has the spirit of giving. the few richest people in the world can feed the whole world but it is not happening due greed
@melvinmattia251, well said dear.
Donating to certain causes or projects can also provide visbility, credibility or be beneficial to the brand of the donor organisation. I belive that approaching fundraising as partnership building is very helpful in this sense.
I was surprised by myth 5, mainly because I always thought facts and statistics were the most important parts when presenting a project to potential donors.
@Camilla_P, you are right in your assertion.
@gabzambrano98, I am glad you are familiar with the knowledge of myth 5 as of now.
Very informative and well explained. I was most surprised to learn that myth 4 was not true because I thought providing in-depth details about your organization/project was a priority. But it makes sense why it would not be entirely appropriate.
I truly believed that you tell the donor as much as possible about the organization and its mission and vision. It makes total sense to listen to the donor and see what their vision and mission is and tie it back to your organization's.
I agreed on donors number. But still should start with small number
I had always thought numbers are important to donors but this course has given me an insight on the importance of story telling.
@DPK, I am glad you have come to terms with the knowledge of the myths.
@awesome71, that is an effective way of reaching to the heart of the fundraiser.
@nacojohn, there is so much power in storytelling than it is in statistics and figures during fundraising.
Coming from a Sales background I usually try to bring in facts and numbers. People are usually more reserved. So I was surprised to rather engage in a conversation and let them talk most of the time... and tell them stories of how we made an impact.
@MajaM, that is exactly how things work in the "For-Profit" industry; you actually have to present all those facts in order to make a sale.
However, things are different in the "Not-For-Profit" world during fundraising; you would have to do much listening in order to align your presentation in the direction of the donor for impact.
I always thought that telling a donor as much about your organization or project as possible is a good idea. I am glad to learn that it isn't.
@Kepz, I am glad you have accepted the knowledge of the myths as you stated.
Happy to have completed this course. I will now proceed to take Tom's Master Fundraising Strategies course.
I only thought that fundraising is all about raising cash.
I thought that telling a funder everything about the project would glean more interest so it was interesting to learn that actually we should let the funder lead and bring the conversation to the project or organisation when opportune moments happen naturally.
I was surprised with the myth that you need to tell donors as much about your product as you can.
it actually surprised me too. i always thought you needed to sell your project or organization. It was very interesting to know I have been wrong all this time
@Kepz, that is a laudable decision. We wish you all the best in your endeavor.
@lekishonalex, now you know better that fundraising is not all about raising funds. There is much to it than meets the eye, hence the importance of this course.
@rozmjuguna, you are not alone in that state: a lot more people felt as you did when they took-up the course. However, it is best you concentrate on the acquired knowledge moving forward.
I agree with #2, my understanding was in line with the myth, i get clarification.
i am really surprised to learn about the myths as i used to always consider to be true. i am really delighted to know that fundraising is not all about money and rich people. i am relieved after studying about all the myths about funraising.
I'm delightfully surprised to discover that donors appreciate stories over statistics and facts. I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, people need to feel an emotional response to the cause they're being asked to support.
@khushi_28, I am glad you appreciate the knowledge of the myths. Yes indeed! fundraising is not all about money and rich people. It involves any other thing either than money that can benefit one's cause.
@Klamb21, your conclusion captures the exact knowledge which the myth seeks to address.
I have always been at-the-ready with my Elevator Speech about my nonprofit. However, just like beginning sales tactics, listening to your potential donor and finding ways your nonprofit can connect with their interests is a tried and true way to ensure both the donor is happy with the relationship and is extra "sticky" for future donations or a continued partnership.
I'm delightfully surprised to discover that donors appreciate stories over statistics and facts. I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, people need to feel an emotional response to the cause they're being asked to support.
I was not surprised by the myths but it is useful to have them all clarified in such a straightforward manner.