Have You Ever...

Was there ever a time in your dating life where you were out with someone on a first date and that person was either beautiful or handsome, polite, gregarious, and "almost the whole package?"

The only thing was you made the mistake of asking them to tell you a little about themselves and it was like the floodgates opened? One of those two hours later and they're still talking type of things.

You and I both know how, what's the proper word, obnoxious(?), blowhard (?) that type of person can be.

You're not that kind of person, I'm sure, though anyone, if they're not careful certainly can be.

The temptation of making ourselves the hero and focal point of our own stories is a powerful pull, isn't it?

And that goes for if you're a nonprofit too. The more passion you feel for your mission, the more danger and risk there'll be that you talk too much about your organization and the good that it does.

If that describes you, you've now been called out, so stop it.

To be clear, you and your organization are not what your donors want to hear about. They're certainly not all-ears when it comes to waxing poetic about how wonderful everything you do is.

Believe me though, when you talk to your donors about how great they are, they will listen attentively and enjoy every last word.

Does that mean they don't want to hear about what you're doing to achieve mission? No, I don't think so. If they're passionate about your cause, they want to make sure you can continue to do good.

Remember, you're trying to win over your donors' hearts-and their support. So focus on the tremendous impact they will have on a situation or an individual when they send in their gifts.

When you stop to think about it, this is the very definition of donor-centered fundraising. Make your donor the hero of every story you tell. Never let them forget that without them, your organization would be powerless.