How do you share your community organizing vision with supporters and funders?

1 Know your audience

Before you craft your message, you need to know who you're talking to. Different audiences may have different interests, motivations, and expectations. For example, potential supporters may want to know how they can get involved, what benefits they can gain, and what challenges they may face. Potential funders may want to know how your vision aligns with their mission, what impact you can achieve, and how you measure your progress. Research your audience and tailor your message accordingly.

2 Use storytelling techniques

One of the most effective ways to share your vision is to use storytelling techniques, which can capture attention, evoke emotions, and inspire action. When telling a story, make sure to include a hook, a context, a protagonist, a conflict, a resolution, and a call to action. A hook should be a compelling opening that grabs the listener's interest and curiosity. The context should set the scene and explain the problem or opportunity. The protagonist should represent your target audience or community. The conflict should be a challenge or obstacle that the protagonist needs to overcome. Resolution should be a solution or outcome that shows how the protagonist achieves their goal or solves their problem. Finally, include a call to action that invites the listener to join, support, or fund your vision.

3 Use visual aids

Sharing your vision can be enhanced by using visual aids. Visual aids can effectively convey complex or abstract ideas, display data or evidence, and create a lasting impression. They can also supplement your verbal or written message and emphasize key points. Examples of visual aids include photos or videos that show your community, work, or impact; charts or graphs that demonstrate trends, comparisons, or relationships; maps or timelines that illustrate locations, directions, or sequences; and logos or icons that symbolize your identity, values, or goals.

4 Use feedback loops

A final way to share your vision is to use feedback loops, which are mechanisms that allow you to receive and respond to input from your audience. Surveys or polls, questions or comments, tests or experiments, and reviews or evaluations are all examples of feedback loops. These tools can help you improve your message, build trust and rapport, and foster collaboration and learning. Additionally, they enable you to measure the results of your message, assess its effectiveness, impact, and satisfaction.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?