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Well said @Foday
@CauPereira, amidst the challenges there is always a way to go about doing things. My proposal is for you to concentrate on the people in your immediate circus (the family and friends). It would be easy for you to win other people onboard if the family and friends can attest to the credibility of your cause.
@nikhilkrasn40, I am glad you know better as of now.
@KIFARA_Benjamin2020, not only are stories as crucial as statistics and facts, but they can as well sell your cause more than the latter.
#2. My org has received most of its funding from direct relationships with people with deep pockets. I don't have those connections, so I've felt a bit lacking. It's good to know that isn't the only way money can be raised and that you're not behind for not having formed those connections already.
I like the myth about the internet changing fundraising. On the one hand, many of the same principles apply. That said, the Internet does open up new opportunities and allows for a "reach" that may not have been possible before the internet existed.
I loved how Tom illustrated and it was eye opener.
I loved how Tom illustrated and it was eye opener.
I previously though fundraising was mostly about cash, but it is more about the connections made in the process rather than just the result, which may be something valuable other than money!
I like the myth about the internet changing fundraising. On the one hand, many of the same principles apply. That said, the Internet does open up new opportunities and allows for a "reach" that may not have been possible before the internet existed.
@MichelleB, I am glad you have come to realize that you aren't left behind in fundraising, because you have not yet established rich connections. You can begin with the ones very close to you.
@paolodemaria62, thank you for summarizing the myth for us; you captured it right.
Learning about the 7 myths of fundraising has been enlightening. For instance most i have spent good amount of time with potential donors trying to explain about the organization and its projects and less on trying to learn the interest of the donors. This module has just shown how my organization has ended up missing some of the support as a result of mismatched priorities.
I truly agree with everyone here. I believed in all the seven myths that were mentioned by the instructor, but what stood out for me most is the myth that to be able to fundraise you need to know rich people.
I was so impressed by all of the myths, I now feel I can actually start being a good fundraiser, whilst before I couldn't believe so.
I thought that only people who knew rich people could find donors.
I agree with him
I truly agree with everyone here. I believed in all the seven myths that were mentioned by the instructor, but what stood out for me most is the myth that to be able to fundraise you need to know rich people.
I was so impressed by all of the myths, I now feel I can actually start being a good fundraiser, whilst before I couldn't believe so.
I was surprised to learn that myth 4 was not true. My question about myth 4 is how to steer the question towards donations when people mostly like to discuss their interest and not the actual organization.
I was most surprised to learn about myth 7, I didn’t know the influence that internet has in fundraising. I would really like to I would have been able to have gone deeper into the subject. Although the internet allows breaking down barriers, personally it has not been easy for me to find support for my projects from other countries.
Regarding that donors like to hear stories, I don’T like that they use the experiences of the people, their suffering and vulnerability to get money. Yes, I understand the part of sensitizing potential donors, but I sincerely believe that there are other ways to do it, such as inviting them to attend the site, to their homes, and to see with their own eyes the needs and conditions in which people live.
Learning about the 7 myths of fundraising was enlightening and educating. i have always look at traditional fundraising as a separate activity from crowd fundraising on the internet. The 7 myths has helped me learn that the two can be combined and is best combined with other strategies to achieve maximum results of fundraising.
i came to realize than in fund raising both parties benefit and not one party.
I got surprised with the myth that says that the fundraiser also gives something back to the donnor. As I understood, it is more the value meaning of the fund, so that the donnor feels good about funding a particular cause. I ask f the recognition of the donnor could be also a "gift" from the fundraiser, for example in annual reports, and events.
I was surprised with the myth number 01 that fund raising is I was thought that Rising money is the only fund rising before attending this module .
I was surprised to find out that Fundraising is not only about statistics and numbers but of relatable stories, that show how challenges were overcome or the impact of an intervention.
@madisonHOW, a conversation with a donor is an opportunity to ask and know about the former and their thoughts. As a fundraiser, you must be prepared to lead the conversation to the donors' areas of interest.
“A more direct way of connecting with your audience is considering not what you want to say, but what your audience wants to hear”.
Thus after knowing the interest of the potential donor, you could align your presentation to suite his/her dictates.
@Adesuwa-EI, it is so because donors prefer adversaries overcoming problems that encourages empowerment of people.
@Rinshad, I am glad you know better as of now.
@DGPinto, thanks for your contribution and question. It is accepted that a donor's effort(contribution) be recognized at events, or in reports as a way to encourage them and others to replicate the action or do more.
Thanks for the contribution @anareynoso21. Please be informed that the other ways of sharing stories as you indicated in your response is the most effective means of fundraising. However, not all beneficiaries are willing to do as such, hence the need to share stories of adversaries and how they overcome problems. Nonetheless, these stories are shared with the consent of all stakeholders to prevent any form of bias.
Very well said @michaelngati.
I never thought of the possible donors I had infront of me. I always imagined I needed a huge amount or a huge company to get the funding I need.
I have a completely new perception of who my possible donors can be and how to go about it, thanks to this module
I have a completely new perception of who my possible donors can be and how to go about it, thanks to this module
Before the study l believed that fundraising is only about getting cash,but now l know that there are in kind donations.
I was intrigue about the fact that fund raising is about receiving but also giving the donor the opportunity to belong to something that will bring about positive change to a situation or issues that need to be addressed.
I agree, it always seems like numbers are what donors are meant to see.
I always think that telling the donor/s more about the organization will attract them the most or telling about the project as much as possible is an effective way to let them support the cause. However, learning from this module that we should listen more to the donor talks and we should know how to lead the conversation knowing what they more like or interested connecting to our project is much more important.
I always believed that only money is needed as a fund but instead there are several different thing we can get as donation.
I agree with the fact that internet have not changed how fundraising is done, but over the year it has made it very easy to reach potential funder from far corners of the world with a little sweat.
In a view of a bigger picture, all 7 myths are very important in shaping a fundraiser. Missing the knowledge of any of the seven, it downgrades the credentials to be a good fundraiser.
I was very aware that all of these are myths, what is unfortunate is that others in my agency believe some of these as truths.
I was intrigue about the fact that fund raising is not only about receiving but also giving the donor the opportunity to belong to something that will bring about positive change to a situation or issues that need to be addressed.
Good to hear all this before taking actions. All this myths I believed before but I am glad I took this course.
Thank you PU.
I was so confident in my thinking of using numbers and stats to show progress, so I was genuinely shocked to find out stories are better
I thought I was the only one receiving (benefiting). It is good to know the giver too is receiving something and I will do well to emphasize that henceforth
I was quite surprised to learn through myth 4 that you do not need to tell a potential donor all about your organization. Listening, empathy and emotional intelligence will help you establish points of connection between your work and your donors' interests. This was a light bulb moment for me.
I was quite surprised to learn through myth 4 that you do not need to tell a potential donor all about your organization. Listening, empathy and emotional intelligence will help you establish points of connection between your work and your donors' interests. This was a light bulb moment for me.
Have been a fundraiser for a while. Before this module I believed in the majority of the 7 Fundraising myths. This module has changed my mindset.
I also thought that.
''Raising money is all about knowing rich people'', this myth surprised me because I thing it is not always ease to know rich people and those willing to fund.
@NikkiJerusalem, I am glad you now better as of now.
@Fkarmoo1, you have rightly summarized the myth.
Yes, that is it @Ebiegason, storytelling does all the magic in fundraising.
@eunice5, thanks for joining the discussion.
@Vest, please note that the assertion is a myth and that is what Tom meant. Hence you need not know only rich people in order to fundraise.
I am glad to gain exposure to the seven common myths of fundraising. Two things that stood out to me are -
#Myth 2 - I wanted to learn to fundraise and contribute to my organization, and the first thing that came to my mind was - 'Do I have access to rich people that can give us money?' And feel glad to know that there are so many ways of tapping into potential donors.
#Myth 4 - I used to think that giving donors enough information about the organization will help them understand our work and beneficiaries clearly. And that donors usually do not know on-ground realities. However, I know that a balance of information and impact/success stories can serve the purpose.
The seven legends were amazing to us. A great fundraiser is an individual superstar. The information on how to change internet fundraising methods has been very helpful. But now practical work needs to be done to convince donors. Most importantly, you need to start your own mission and also have your own strategies.
This is not enough for cooperation, the most important thing is to have enough evidence and reliable information to convince the donor.
This is not enough for cooperation, the most important thing is to have enough evidence and reliable information to convince the donor.
Hi, If possible I would like to join your relationship and your team.
Hi, If possible I would like to join your relationship and your team.
It's a really great project. We got a lot of information.
It's a really great project. We got a lot of information.
Let’s support each other to be the best team. I am new here
Let’s support each other to be the best team. I am new here
than you very much
than you very much
I have a volunteer organization. What suggestions do you have for that?
I have a volunteer organization. What suggestions do you have for that?
I was most surprised to learn that myth 6 "great fund raiser is individual supper start" was not true because it need connective efforts to make good store to donor, which requires distinct expertise in different area by many people. One question I have about myth 6 is though it is collective effort, but there must be one person in lead, who can make together all people/expertise and present one voice for all to donor in a form of story.
This was quite interesting as i thought before now that fundraising was all about receiving cash and knowing rich people
Before the study l believed that fundraising is only about getting cash,but now l know that there are in kind donations.
I have found that you need to have both.. There are people That only work and decide by numbers, while many others care about stories. For me, the best strategy is to have a mix and focus on what you think would connect more with your constituent.
It has been difficult for me to implement a volunteer strategy.. I value that kind of help a lot, but spending time to prepare volunteers has been an issue. I hope I would take more advantage of this in the future
Fundraising is a splendid job if you want to work in the nonprofit world. The pay is usually good, you might enjoy a high status within the organization, and there is a career path. Fundraising can even lead to the leadership of a nonprofit. ... However, do consider fundraising as a career
I was personally "fooled" by myth 5. But after consideration it makes a lot of sense that we only divulge what is of interest to the listener, and to make an appealing and attractive case to catch their interest and make them commit.
i had it in my mind that to have a successful fundraising initiative, one ought to give a comprehensive view of the organization and its project but am grateful to learn that too much of that is not really necessary and this thus aiding in the presentation process.
fund raising is all about know rich people that was real new for me and i belive that is the best way to start a fundraising with a lot of effort
I am grateful for this course and discussing these myths for a beginner. I am curious about myth #3. What about those non-profits that are only started by one person? I am starting a non-profit with a mostly silent board of directors. How can I invite people to "join my fundraising team" if I don't have the funds to pay anyone on the team, even me myself, before the actual fundraising takes place?
In fundraising, one person gives and another receives. This statement is not true, i have learnt that both receiver and giver get something out the fund raising process.
From myth 4, I was reminded about the importance of listening to the donors/partners instead of talking and telling them all about my organisation. From listening to them, one can understand what their interests are, and therefore strategically present the need in a way that interests them and compels them to contribute in whichever way they are able to.
That's an interesting question BYLINA4. One suggestion that comes to mind is requesting some people who are interested in your non-profit to donate some of their time and be part of your 'fundraising team.' They don't have to be full time for starters since you are starting out, but you have to clarify what you would want them to do, how often you would want them to volunteer, what you would want them to deliver, etc. Some can volunteer in finance/budgeting, others can volunteer in connecting with donors, etc. Your silent board of directors is a very good place to start!
I think myth #4 was the most useful to me, since we often think that more info is better, but we should always stick to what is important to share, and try to discuss common interests and such to build that connection.
most cases, I had long believed that numbers and identified gaps really matter to the fundraising campaigns but this module enlightened me that success stories are far more effective than just numbers. Also many of the myths taught were things I was aware of before but I will admit the ONE myth that caught me off guard a little was myth 2. I appreciate how it was clarified and justifiable.
Well said @Martha_Alle, you have accurately captured the wisdom embedded in the myth.
Brilliant suggestion there @Martha_Alle.
Thank you for your honest statement @frankuzor.
all along have been thinking that fundraising is only about getting cash and to raise this cash you only get it from rich people but that is not true you can start with your friends and family members.
Hello, I really appreciate how these myths were explained, personally I thought fundraising was all about getting cash but it is good that also kind- donation such as food and time as well as manufactured goods are part of donation in fundraising.
It is keyto collec data and analyse it to make the most out of donor and story telling
The myth that surprised me was "4. You should always try to tell a donor as much about your organization or project as possible." It now makes sense to know that you cater your interaction to the donor and center them in it, but I had not thought of it that way before.
I was by far most surprised by myth number 4 (you should always try and tell a donor as much as possible about your organization or project). I just assumed that donors would want as much information as possible so that they know where their time/money/ and other gift is going towards a right cause. After listening to the podcast I do understand why it makes sense that you would want people to talk about themselves and cater to their interests when soliciting donations- and I am excited about the idea of beginning to incorporate more personal solicitations into my interactions with potential donors, while still ensuring that I am giving a good background of my organization and our goals.
Until now, I've always taken donors no to be final no forever and feels terribly bad and discouraged as I get that most time. Thanks Tom for making me understand that it's opportunity to find more from prospected donor and make a come back.
I guess I was a bit surprised by myth No. 4 "you should always try and tell a donor as much about organization as possible". I always felt the more they knew the more they may want to support; but looking back, I guess people do like to talk about themseves more and using the idea of listening and adding to conversations with similarities would make people feel more apart of the process and learning of organizaiton.
I had the same exact reaction and am also excited about incorporating more personal solicitations into my interactions; practicing being a better listener.
Myth no 4 surprised me the most, for me i thought it was all about to impress the donors by giving more informations about your organisation and project.
this is very nice topic, you impressed after knowing that people who give their time and various facilities is also fundraising
I used to believe that Fundraising is only about getting cash or raising money from rich people, after taking this course I just find myself one of those who were living under Myths.
Thanks for this clarification.
Following this module, the myth that surprised me the most was myth number 5. I was previously under the impression that metrics were vital to fundraising success, learning that stories are more beneficial was surprising. I can't think of any questions regarding the myths, but I'm glad I've learned about the 7 myths of fundraising so I can apply them to my work!