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The importance of expressing impact and gratitude in fundraising

iMarketSmart

The universal hero story (monomyth) progresses through four steps: The compelling donation experience includes these same steps. Biologists model reciprocal altruism with a game.[1] But it helps the other player more than it costs. In the game, expressing desire for a social, helpful-reciprocity relationship is meaningful.

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How transactional donor relationships kill generosity

iMarketSmart

In a scale, it might look like this: Helpful reciprocity Loved one (lover, spouse, close family) Friend Teammate Colleague Neighbor Community member Transactional reciprocity Customer Merchant Stranger Harmful reciprocity Competitor Enemy Relationship signals are reciprocity signals. It’s saying, “We’re not here to help you!”

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What Dr. James means when he recommends you harness the power of storytelling in major gifts fundraising

iMarketSmart

The universal hero story, called the monomyth, includes specific steps. 2] It might be external, public, and commercial. This helps because we know, intuitively, when a story works. This also helps appeal to the widest range of donors. It not only helps get the big gift. Princeton University Press.

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Dr. James explains what happens when fundraising metrics go bad

iMarketSmart

4] The field of large sales is called Key or Strategic Account Management. One researcher states bluntly, “The objectives of salespeople are the opposite of the objectives of Strategic Account Managers.”[5]. Senior management resists giving influence or control to customers.”. Strategic Account Management isn’t either.

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How Restricted Gifts Can Actually Be a GOOD Thing — And Why You Should Embrace Them

iMarketSmart

When a charity manager gets to issue the instructions, it’s “unrestricted.” A gift restriction can help. Charity managers don’t like them. They can think, “The novice-donor is trying to take control from the expert-manager. What if a family member responded like a typical charity manager? It’s silly. It’s wrong.”.

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3 Big Reasons Why An ‘Ask’ Is Mostly About Your Donor’s Hero Story (Not Your Organization’s)

iMarketSmart

For a human rights charity, it increased donations to mention that it “works in countries that have recently passed laws that harshly restrict nonprofit organizations.”[9]. But increasing anger didn’t work if the gift just generally helped people. Does this mean that deadlines help? University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. [4]

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Dr. James explains why the feeling “People like me make gifts like this” is so powerful in major gifts fundraising

iMarketSmart

Givers benefit from their enhanced public reputation. Givers get no benefit from their public reputation. Some gifts may help reputation, while others won’t. It also matches the universal hero story (monomyth).[4] This helps link the challenge to a victory. The gift helps my group. Giving is a winning move.