Let’s face it, fundraising is all about telling your story. What is it you’re trying to do? Who are you trying to help? And why?
Listed below are tips to consider when crafting your story.
Any good story has a compelling beginning, middle and end and includes conflict which the protagonist must overcome. Think of Frodo and The Lord of the Rings. Frodo must take the ring to the fires of Mordor and destroy it. All through the story he is met with monsters and evil-doers who want to stop him. But he perseveres.
Is that the story?
On the surface, yes. But there is meaning behind that story. Good overcomes evil. An unlikely hero overcomes all odds to succeed. Or, the unlikely hero grows from a small, not-so-brave individual to a wise champion of the light. What's the hidden meaning here? This could be you.
How does that help a nonprofit tell their story?
Take a moment to consider the following?
· Who is the hero in your story?
Is it the case manager who follows a client from homelessness to permanent housing? Is it a teacher who nurtures a struggling student?
· What is the conflict your hero is trying to overcome?
The danger teens face by predators when they live on the streets? The barriers people face when they are low-income and live in a food desert?
· How will your hero succeed?
You have the right program, the right people, and/or the right methodology to address the need.
· How will your hero define success?
The number of people who attain permanent housing. The number of teens who return home. Perhaps just one student who receives a scholarship to help achieve their dreams.
· What difference will it make in the end?
It’s the difference between homelessness and having a home. Illness and health. Hope and defeat.
