"Put it this way: Your donors are giving to you because of what that giving says about them -- to themselves or to others.
They aren't giving because your programs are so brilliant.
They aren't giving because you're so smart (or strategic, or any other great attribute).
They aren't giving because of your long history or superior achievement."
When you write a grant application you tell the funder 'you'll be happy to have your money and your name associated with this program and this agency. We will represent you well.'
Pay attention to what they want their funding to say about them -- for example: Do they want to be seen as a funder for projects staffed by highly professional, credentialed staff or are they self-help or peer oriented? Are they interested in agencies with a track record of sucesses or in nurturing start-ups. Do they like risk-taking and funding innovations or do they want projects based on model programs? Are they consumer or community-oriented or research-based?
You can tell a lot from the RFP itself, but I also like to see who they've previously funded, and how they describe those projects. What image do they project in their newsletters and conferences? Anything I can learn about the face they present to the world will inform my narrative strategy.
Jeff says "So ask yourself: What about our brand feeds the unique aspirations of our donors? What is it about giving to you that makes them feel proud or happy or cool or validated?"
Read Jeff's post. In fact, read his blog regularly. I do. As a grant writer, it will broaden your perspective. As a non-profit marketer and fundraiser, you'll find something relevant in every post.
Posts
3 comments:
Very cogent observations, helpful ones, too. You've pictured the donor/funder's subliminal as well as overt needs well.
Thanks for the link, too.
Pat Harrington, Principal Consultant
Communication Project Specialists
and
Mystery Author
Ruth,
I love your link to Jeff's latest post. I also appreciate his perspective on fundraising.
Your tie into grant writing is excellent.
If we aren't working for agencies who are clear about who they are and what they do - how do we expect the potential donor to invest?
My 100th blog post may be of interest to you. Where are we as professional grant writers and where do we need to go?
http://thegrantplant.blogspot.com/2007/07/grant-writing-grant-writers-whats.html
Best,
Arlene
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