I read a study recently about nonprofit boards: Leading with Intent: 2017 National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices
Boards self-identified the three most important areas to improve their performance:
- Fundraising
- Outreach & Ambassadorship
- Board Leadership Pipeline
To help boards and staff understand the basics of fundraising, we have launched our Fundraising Made simple video series.
Today’s video is on having a Bold Story.
Sometimes you have to do things upside down or backward. When I work with nonprofits and their leaders, they often will often have a hard time finding compelling words to describe what they do. They will give me their mission or vision statement.
They are usually really BORING!!
Do it Backward
We encourage them to do it backward. Start by listing your programs:
- Housing
- Education
- Addiction
These programs are trying to solve the following problems:
- Unstable or dangerous housing
- Unemployable skils
- Unpredictable and hazardous lifestyles
These solve problems for the following people:
- Men
- Women
- Over 18
If you were to read this backward, you would say,
“We help men and women over 18 who are experiencing unstable and dangerous housing and lifestyles find housing, employment, and recover from their addictions.”
The Missing Ingredient
We are missing the one essential ingredient that will take our story from bland to bold. That missing element is PASSION.
Passion always answers the WHY question.
Why do I love my organization? Why should other people get involved?
When someone asked me why I love to help people experiencing homelessness, I pound the desk and wipe away a tear when I share that the following:
> We rescue men and women from dangerous, unstable and destructive lifestyles.
If you want to learn more about the bold story or watch the video below: