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Powering Nonprofit Success Through Participatory Processes:

Did you know that organizations prioritizing participatory processes and deliberately decreasing barriers see a significant increase in program effectiveness? This Fall, I’m excited to delve into how this framework powers real-world success through our three-part webinar series, Insights for Impact!

On September 18th, Dr. Inderjit Vicky Basra, President and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, and Jessica Raymond, former Chief of Staff of the YWCA, joined Sharity Global Expert Anne Miskey to offer real-world examples of ways participatory processes elevated their organizations’ mission and impact. Dr. Basra emphasized the importance of including direct and indirect experts in decision-making conversations. She noted, “…layered communication makes the change.” When those in the community who experience the challenges your organization strives to address work alongside those with academic or professional experience in key areas, your organization can begin to affect systemic change. Jessica added, “When we talk about advocating for people and engaging their voices…here is the mic! You sit at this table, you tell me what you need from us, you make the decision…”

Key takeaways from the conversation included:

  • Write equity into your policies and procedures.
  • Avoid “tokenizing” the community you serve. Ensure that if you ask something of your community members, such as asking them to share their stories, you are developing and strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship with them.
  • Identify ways your organization may connect direct experts, those with lived experience, with donors, elected officials, and other community leaders and influencers.
  • Engaging all voices allows you to review and evaluate the impact of your programming with an open mind and heart.
  • Give credit to all the experts helping you execute your mission. Whenever possible, compensate and recognize direct experts, those with lived experiences, for their work on behalf of your organization, just as you would an indirect expert with academic or professional experience. 

Dr. Basra summed up the importance of engaging all voices when she described the success her organization has had with connecting survivor mentors with the recently rescued. “[Survivor’s] concepts around hope look very different because they’re sitting across from somebody, that at some point, was in the same space that they are in…Their survivor-mentor becomes a beacon of hope!” Anne added, “The little ways you can connect your donors in real ways to people” will bring about transformation.

Watch The Full Video Now

JUN 01, 2020

Whether your nonprofit is experiencing fundraising challenges related to COVID-19, an economic recession, or weathering some other storm, it’s more important than ever for your donors to understand how the mission and work of your nonprofit are continuing. 

Below is a list of ten ways you can strengthen your fundraising in challenging times: 

  1. Position the donor as the hero in all your fundraising communications. Position your nonprofit as the guide who provides the hero with the tools and knowledge to win the day.
  2. Always empathize with the donor. It’s necessary for nonprofits first to acknowledge the hardships that people are experiencing — including donors before getting into your pitch. Always be sure to remind your donors that you are here for them.
  3. Personally, thank your donors. No one likes being taken for granted or feeling like their contribution was a mere transaction. Go out of your way to express gratitude. According to both the research (yes, this has been studied!) and common sense, personalized engagement is especially critical during hard times. Consider holding a Thank – a -Thon. Get a group of volunteers to call donors and just say thank you. The key is to have thoughtful engagement in which you are not asking for a donation.
  4. Thank your government funders, foundations, and key stakeholders. You’d be amazed by how many never get a thank you. Update them on progress, critical needs, and share “raw” content from the field.
  5. Have staff and beneficiaries write thank you notes or make short videos about the impact of your donor’s gift. If they are on social media, make a short video thanking them and telling them how their donation helped. It makes it more personal than a signed form letter from the Executive Director or Development Director.
  6. Have board members make thank you calls to donors. Your board members will love the feedback, and donors will appreciate the call. Provide them a script. Voice mail is just as effective as connecting.
  7. Transition to virtual fundraising. During COVID-19, many nonprofits have had to cancel their major in-person events and galas. In their place, they have had to hold virtual fundraisers that entertain and engage donors such as virtual galas, silent auctions, etc. Be sure to carefully track your donor campaigns’ progress and adapt so you can make informed decisions along the way. 
  8. Retell your nonprofit’s story about why the founder started it in a way that makes an emotional connection (instead of meaningless details like year, etc.) with your donors consistent with your mission and how it’s changed the lives of your beneficiaries. Be sure to include a compelling call to action!
  9. Focus on outcomes and impact. During a crisis and in periods of transition, people seek out opportunities to make a difference right away. Be sure to be crystal clear on how they can help and what critical impact they can make.
  10. Emphasize the urgency of what you need and the stakes. Your beneficiaries depend on your nonprofit’s outreach and leadership — probably more than ever during a crisis. Be clear about what you need and the stakes and what a $1000, $5000, $10,000, etc. donation will mean to those you serve.

For more strategies, on how to not just survive but thrive in challenging times, be sure to check out https://sharityglobal.com and take a free assessment.