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The importance of expressing impact and gratitude in fundraising

iMarketSmart

Biologists model reciprocal altruism with a game.[1] But it helps the other player more than it costs. Gratitude signals their view of The impact of the gift The value of the relationship, and Their willingness to reciprocate. 3] Both work by supporting reciprocal social relationships.[4] This is subjective similarity.)

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

iMarketSmart

It promotes personal and social norms supporting a heroic response. Because they provide value. Big money comes by providing big value. Other professions provide value in different ways. A charity can provide value to many people in many ways. 2] It might be external, public, and commercial. Story works.

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

iMarketSmart

The effective ask presents: A crisis (threat or opportunity) for the donor’s people or values. This can happen with natural disasters or social and political events.[14] But this must be a crisis for the donor’s people or values. Suppose the people or values involved don’t matter to the donor. That forces a response.

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Dr. James explains what happens when fundraising metrics go bad

iMarketSmart

Focusing on short-term financial numbers rather than customer need and value creation. But they aren’t helpful as a short-term metric to guide behavior. Now, suppose we’re managing a group of social media “influencers.” The social media manager then shares the best metrics for managing “writers” and their “output.”

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What’s in a Name? The Ethics of Building Naming Gifts

Stanford Social Innovation Review

Naming gifts provide donors with reputational and market value , what legal scholar William Drennan refers to as “ publicity rights ,” and beneficiary organizations and their constituents with financial and mission-driven value. Yet over time, perpetual naming gifts for facilities may prove detrimental to future generations.

Ethics 111
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How Enhancing a Donor’s Moral Identity Can Advance their Donor Hero Story

iMarketSmart

Effective fundraising can deliver real value to donors. For example, it can enhance public reputation. This external identity has tangible economic value.[1] It can also deliver transcendent value. Moral identity reflects how well one’s life matches one’s ideal values.[2] More precisely, it’s a pro-social code.[3]