Challenge The Status Quo

And I think that a new way to fundraise if we really are determined to grow exponentially and I'm talking, doubling tripling, quadruple quintuple. What's what comes after that sex? Couple, I don't even. Your revenue year over year. If you raise around 200, $250,000 from individuals and you wanna get to a million plus, then we've got to be able to have courageous conversations with donors.

Where we are challenging the status quo of just giving 25 K in 20 18 25 K in 20 19 25 K in 20 20 25 K in 20 21 25 K in 2022. There has gotta be a point where we move beyond just giving the same amount year after year. I know it's a challenge, right? Because $25,000 is an amazing gift. That's great. And we are, we're grateful. We are grateful, but remember, this is nonprofit courage lab, so we are gonna test out courage.

And this is something that I work on with my clients inside my group coaching program, courage lab, and what I work on in my one-on-one. Executive coaching and strategy container is challenging donors to step up in new and big ways. It's an invitation to lead them to large gifts that are not based on their historical giving alone. So we, we cannot just ask people for an amount based on what they gave in the past. That's not how we grow. If we do that, then we won't be able to grow exponentially.

Right. If someone's giving 25 K and I ask them for an incremental increase of 35 K, because that seems like an organic, natural. Percentage increase. We're not going to be able to see the change and the impact that we are looking to have. So our goal has to be really uncovering the passion within our donors and what is the impact that they desire to see, and then leading them. To extraordinary generosity.

I can tell you for my own clients, they've had donors who I just like I described, who were giving $25,000 a year for many years. And based on the relationship and history and this person being so communicative and so passionate about the mission I told my client, I said, I think we need to ask this person for a million dollars. I think that they can give a seven figure gift. And I think it's time it's past time and my client went for it. It was amazing.

And is by far the largest gift that they've asked for, and by far the largest gift that they would ever get. I think up until that point, the largest gift they had gotten from an individual was 50. And the donor said, I can give a million dollars, but I'm really looking for other people to step up. And so right now I'll make a multi-year commitment and I can fundraise six figures, not bad.

Of course we would've loved for this donor to give a million dollars and they still might because their commitment level went up actually. So they went from, they increased their personal gift. They made a multi-year commitment for the first time ever, and they agreed to fundraise from their network. At least six figures. So when we asked for more, we got more, that's how it works. And this is really about leading the donor and challenging this regular renewal. That's not gonna get us there.

It's not gonna get us to the. We need to be able to lead our donors and say, I think you can give this much, but you let me know if I'm wrong. This seems like an amount that is in line with your passion and your commitment level. And having the guts, the audacity, the audacity to say, you know what I think you can do more than that. It's a negotiation. Do you have the guts to negotiate? Hey, I know that you've been giving $25,000 every year for the last six years.

And hopefully by this point, you've expressed your deep gratitude towards them for that, cuz that is tremendous. and say, you know, what would you consider for Xing that amount and give a hundred K over the next two years or by the end of this year. And they can come back to you and say, you know, I don't know if we can do that, but we can do half of that. That's a huge win. We've got to ask for more.

We cannot keep accepting whatever amount the donor has been doing year over year, over year, or what they believe is good enough. It takes guts to do this and it's. Like you're being disrespectful or you're being a bully. I understand it. This is risky. Right. But try it out. Try it out with a donor who you're close to, who you have a long standing relationship. It's time for them to step up in a big way and it's time for them to lead the way in what you hope other donors will do.

There is someone. Who it's past time and you and I both know it, who is ultimately responsible for having that conversation with them? Is it God are you hoping that a little birdie will fly down and send them a message? Right. I mean, it's ridiculous. We have to be straight up and ask. You are not going to jeopardize the relationship by asking for more. And I understand why you feel that way. There is a lot of distrust, lack of trust when it comes to donors and nonprofits. Right.

And it's not for nothing. There have been scandals. There is a lot. Unethical crap. That's happening with nonprofits just because we're a nonprofit doesn't mean we're automatically ethical, but that's not you. That's not, you, you don't get to be lumped in with all those others. You have developed relationships, you have invested in these people, in their families. You do deeply care. So. You are not all about money. No, it isn't because you are greedy and you just care about their wallet.

That is not what's happening here. You know, that they care deeply and we've gotta challenge this status quo of just giving enough. It isn't enough anymore based on where we're headed. And how we're looking to grow. It's not enough. It's time to make a sacrifice. It's time to give above and beyond it's time to stretch the limits. It's time to lead from the front, with power, with courage and with Generos.

Allowing the greatest version of ourselves to have the last word in our giving in philanthropy. It's time. And it's time for you. This is your calling it's time for you to invite your donors and your board members to step up in big ways. It takes guts, friends, it takes guts. And I want you to know, I know that it's risky, but you have what it takes you do. And the only way to really know that about yourself is to give it a shot. Try it out, go for it, make a decision and go for it.

Once you have made the decision, try it out, give it a shot. You don't have to get it. Perfect. You will see that you'll survive. Even if you don't get the million dollar gift and you might get way more than you even expected when you go. Your invitation is to lead your donors, to lead them to their largest gifts, to lead them to their best gifts, to have conversations that challenge the status quo. That is the invitation for you as the executive of this organization. It doesn't fall on anybody.

This is your moment. This is your time to step into greater courage and your board members and your donors will follow your lead if you accept the status quo. So will they. You cannot ask them to go where you are not willing to go. If you want your donors to step into greater courage and generosity, it's time for you to do the same. Show up, take the risk, take the leap, invite them, make the invitation and stop accepting the status quo. You're going big places.

You're making major change in your community and your mission is worthy of investment level gifts. Can't wait to hear how it goes. See you next time.