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@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.
Myth #5 surprised by most because my original mindset was that is is best to use facts to show objective impact. But it makes sense now, because people donate to causes when it makes them feel good. Stories are vehicles for transmitting those good feelings better than facts.
learning the ropes , i had to grasp all the myths .
Well said @amckinnon.
I thought that giving as many updates as I can is the way to go, but myth 4 taught me the other way.
This is a great discovery for me especially with regard to myth 3: During a fundraiser, one person gives and another receives. I understand better that the most precious goods are intangible.
@HannaHHI, yes! storytelling is the surest way to go when fundraising.
@Yedoh, thanks for joining the discussion.
Till date I was of the opinion that money is the most effective donation that one can receive to make an impact, but after going through this course I realised that in kind donations not only in the form of cash but in the form of time, food, space and goods can equally create difference.
Question for myth 1 - For an organisation to sustain, in terms of paying salary to the employees or volunteers, how does it work for not-for-organisation?
Very much felt the same, especially having a robust M&E system. But I think just as effective communication employs "non-verbal" ques, likewise Effective Fundraising will require "Non-Statistical" elements especially success stories and prospects for scale-up.
When it comes to fundraising I have come to learn that inkind donations are also a way of fundraising that I have learned through this module
haaalloooooo guyss
I also used to think fundraising was for people who know rich people. I'm glad this course clarified it
I didnt know so much before but i'm now better enlightened as regards fundraising
Discussion on Myth No 4 is so enlightening
My key takeaways are from Myth No 1 and 4
i was surprised to find out myth number one is not true because i've always believed fundraising to be about raising funds. However am aware of in-kind donations
I'm familiar with these myths, but his explanations enlightened me.
nice and great
I was most surprised to learn that myth 3 was not true because my whole life, I thought that donor is volunteer who grant money without any personal demand... But if we get something, we give back as well... It's a mutual relationship...👍
I found interesting myth #3 "In fundraising, one person gives and another receives." Once the myth was debunked I can now see how it is a give-give relationship. And if tied to myth #1 on cash, it makes total sense. The cycle is about generating value to all those involved. One question I have is on myth #5: if an organization is just beginning its work and does not have many stories to tell what would you recommend to complement also scarce statistics and facts.
I was most surprised that myth 2 was not true because I always thought tan rich people were the key to raise money.
The 7 myths of fundraising was an eye opener to how and where funding can actually can be achieved. I was surprised that it was not stories of your achievement and successes mattered more than statistics.
knowing that fundraising was not all about getting cash but also includes IN-KIND GIFTS
@Mhizola, I am glad you do now. This shows how revealing the fundraising course is.
@Aciji, I am glad you know better now as you stated above.
@GracoParedes, that is an interesting and thought provoking question you have in the latter part of your submission. In such an instance, you could tell the potential donor how your cause will impact the lives of the beneficiary positively: you envisage the outcome of your cause if successfully implemented, and with all you have put in place to make it work, you narrate how the beneficiary will benefit.
@alihamza5579, I am glad you have come to terms with the knowledge of the myth.
@AnaLau, well now you know better that anyone can donate to a cause once the fellow is convinced to do so. And not necessarily the rich being the only ones to donate to a cause.
@goldenayacorp, though your assertion is true, it isn't entirely so. Your network must not only be limited to the working class, but all who can support your cause.
I was most surprised to learn that listening to donors is more important than 'bombing' them with tons of stories about our organisation. This helps create confidence.
Also the part about we need to be careful about accepting in-kind donation we don't need is important. We don't want to end up using lot of space for things that we don't need in the first place.
I also love the list of work need to be done with team effort. Fundraising is exhausting and sometimes there is not enough credit to the labor behind it.
I was most surprised to learn that myth 4 was not true because I thought that donors would want to put their donations into organizations that they know very well. This definitely helps to restructure the way we have been writing proposals that seek funding.
I had also believed that online fundraising was very different than the traditional method. In certain ways it is, however, the basic principles appear to be the same, which kind of surprised me. You don't physically meet the donor but you do interact with them, so in that sense, it is the same.
To the great extent, I have always believed that you should always explain about your organization and your project when you have a conversation with a donor than what i have learnt today. Myth number 4 got me startled.
Apart from that Myth number 5 that truths and statistics are what matters also stood out for me, I have always believed in putting out the graphs and mentioning figures than narrating the stories to the donor.
Absolutely! We're working on expanding our network to find more people from who would like to support our cause.
Definetely number 4 suprised me the most.
This is the most enlightening one for me till now, cause it's not easy for me to know what should I tell, and what is not necessary
Learned a lot with this module and all your comments
Well said @rethzky.
You just nailed it @roncryer.
@LovemoreBanda, well you know better no; storytelling for fundraising is the surest way to go.
All the best in your endeavor @goldenayacorp.
Can you please share a little of what surprises you about the myth number 4 with us @edaputgul.
@proyectosimama, I am happy you acknowledged learning a lot from the myths. I hope you carry the knowledge along with you wherever you go.
I would have assumed that the donors would like to know as much as possible about the project or the oganization that they are going to fund, before they make that decision. @Yoofiquansah
Help me to have an more critical view of fundraising.
These are all myths I unknowingly held. Thanks God, they are now dispelled.
I had always believed that statistics were most important in fundraising campaigns. Tom makes is clear that stories have a better impact. In addition, I thought fundraising on Internet is totally different.
Based on myth 4 I was reminded that active listening is important in prospect donor engagement
I was surprise to know that You shouldn't always try to tell a donor as much about your organization or project as possible, i had thought its a platform to market yourself as much as possible
I was convinced that the myth n. 5. was true. I used to give statistics and pitches, but I will try now to change perspective/strategy and see how it works.
Initially I was convinced of the bellow myths:
Myth No 2: changing mindset with regards to reaching out to everyone despite their level of income. Also the iimportance of personal stories with regards to beneficiaries. This makes the cause more relatable,
I was surprised to learn that myth 2 was not true because my expectation was, that people would donate if they are able to and have enough money, but I was wrong. Each person can make a difference.
Two myths really stood out to me were #3 and #6. Myth 3 - One person gives and one receives. I need to focus more on the donor partnering with us instead of maintaining or moving us forward with their donation. I understand it because when I give I feel like I have participated and been a part of something bigger. With Myth #6 - The fundraising loner. I have tried fundraising alone too often and I get burnt out. After completing the assignment it was easy to see how big a net we can cast if I bring others (co-workers at least) alongside to work with me. I need to be asking, "Who do you know that I need to know?" That's a John Maxwell question and I think it really applies to fundraising.
Yes, I agree. Going to those that have money seems easy but they are asked so often while to less wealthy have the valuable asset of time, talent and money
I do too but I admit I remember stories a lot longer than I do statistics.
My understanding is that donors respond best to compelling stories. If you think your goal is to communicate as much as possible about your organization, you are likely to "lose the forest for the trees" -- you are likely to leave the potential donor with a less compelling narrative than you could have delivered if you had stayed focused on the key elements of the story you wanted to communicate...
I was a little surprised (though perhaps I shouldn't have been) by the ways in which the internet has not changed fundraising. On reflection, it makes sense that the basics for successful fundraising are still the same.
Yes! I think it is so easy to not listen to potential donors. But the connection is more important.
I was very interested in the discussion of the internet. I hadn't really thought that much about how that has changed/not changed fundraising strategies, and would like to think more about that.
I was also a bit surprised that the myth of "you need to know rich people" was just a myth; in the end it seems like it's only partially a myth, and that you do need to know people who know rich people. What role might smaller donors play in that scenario?
As i was almost aware about all of the given myths, i didnt find anything new or surprising here, but the points were all put forth in an orderly manner which we find it easier to remember, recall and filter the unwanted as well
I was surprised that numbers and statistics (myth 5) weren't the most important aspect because I assumed that it 'legitimizes' the request for assistance. Dispelling myth 4 was quite a shock as well for the same reason as myth 5.
I was mostly surprised with myth 4 and 5. As a Foundation working with children we always get so carried away to make sure our potential donors know the enormous work strain we have to deal with on a daily basis, 365 years a day! Because of this, we make sure everyone knows that all the money we continue to ask for is because of the expensive costs that goes behind this operation which never stops, and has not stopped for the past thirty years. And it is precisely that when we get carried away, we forget that we need to touch base more on what our donors like, their interests, and connections that would actually interest them, beyond the boring statistics (what some have perceived as in the past). But that is when I ask, how can we make sure we can still keep the donor informed with the immense strain we have on a daily basis with helping so many children with so many different conditions, and still manage to connect with them. We have throughout the years always kept in mind the success stories, which we luckily have and that are incredibly inspiring, but we still struggle to find some balance within all of this story telling, asking, and crowdfunding process.
I have gained much confidence through simple techniques of raising funds that I have gained in this module.
Fundraiser is all about transaction
I knew that stories matter more than statistics, but I had not appreciated the extent this was so. What makes this difficult is because from experience, most donors that I have worked with seem to put so much emphasis on statistics, such that sometimes it ends up being like a ticking box exercise. There is very little investment from donors in the recipient of funds telling stories. So this TRUTH that stories often matter more than statistics was very welcome.
I think No. 2 was the most surprising to me because I never realized that ordinary people could become a donor.
While it is interesting to learn about the myths, I am not sure I fully agree with all the points.
Eg. statistics are as important as the stories. If it is just stories, does not reflect the organisations work and its work
s wider impact. But again, it depends on individual values and objectives of the donor
A great fundraiser is an individual superstar- While it is comforting to learn any determined human being can be a great fundraiser, it takes less effort for a determined superstar to raise more funds in less time. We can take an example of social media influences, famous personalities.
Also, in some contexts I believe there is a giver and a receiver. As per my experience, often it is the donor which has an upper hand.
This myth also caught my attention, most of the times we underestimate the support we can get can get from people around us.
I was most surprised about not telling your donor as much as possible. When I think about Tom's reasoning behind this statement, it makes sense, but it the past my mindset was to tell them as much as possible so they understand your platform. The transition to connecting what you talk to people about to their individual interests makes a lot of sense. People are more likely to invest in something they are individually passionate about.
I agree with this Selama! In my experience donors are extremely interested in statistics and data that reflect success because it is so concrete. They often want to know specifics about numbers and how their donation helped to attain those numbers.
Myth 4 surprised me the most because I always thought you need to do as much as you can, to present your organization, helping the donor see how the work you are doing is in line with their interest and making them see why your organization is suitable for their funding. I thought you need to do all to sell the work you do.