Fundraising

Ep 208: Bring Back the Joy of Giving (with Allison Fine)

by Joan Garry

Allison Fine and I discuss the need to transform nonprofit fundraising from a transactional to a relational model, leverage technology to build meaningful donor relationships, and create a more sustainable and joyful fundraising environment.

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Ever wonder how to make any donor feel like a million bucks? Here’s why you should care: joyful donors keep giving. For years. Not for the tax write-off but for the resonant meaning of the mission. 

Too many nonprofits treat fundraising as a transaction. The effort is expended on reaching as many people as possible. Rinse and repeat. It can be exhausting even if it is considered “successful”.

My guest on this episode, Allison Fine, is a friend and a kindred spirit as a champion of the nonprofit sector. We share an unbridled joy about doing work of real meaning and purpose. Allison believes that too many nonprofits struggle with fundraising because they don’t understand the true goal is not simply to receive a check but to form an allied donor relationship that can last for years. 

That is her mission. And she is doing just that with Every.org.

In this episode, we also discuss how organizations can maximize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to take the friction out of fundraising. The goal is to eliminate excess administrative work so nonprofit leaders can free up their time to build meaningful donor relationships. And in so doing, naturally create sustainable fundraising systems and joyful giving.

KEY QUOTES:

  1. Allison Fine on her mission: “My mission is to reshape the entire field of fundraising…to move us from a default setting of transactional asks for that $25 donation to a brand new 21st-century model of engaging with and bringing joy to donors.”
  2. On the purpose of every.org: “We don’t take fees for setup or fees for transactions. We don’t sell the data. We’re funded by foundations and optional tips by donors.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Transforming Fundraising Approaches: Allison emphasizes the need to shift from a transactional model, which focuses on repeatedly asking for donations, to a relational model that prioritizes building meaningful connections with donors. This change can alleviate the pressure on development staff and create a more sustainable and joyful fundraising environment.
  2. Challenges in the Nonprofit Sector: The conversation delves into the historical context of fundraising, tracing the origins of the transactional approach to practices from catalog sales. This model, while effective in some respects, has led to a pressure cooker environment for nonprofit staff, contributing to high turnover rates and a disconnect between organizational values and fundraising practices.
  3. Leveraging Technology for Positive Change: Allison discusses the role of technology, particularly AI, in streamlining administrative tasks and freeing up time for nonprofits to engage more deeply with donors. Her latest book, “The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World,” co-authored with Beth Kanter, explores this theme in depth.
  4. The Joy of Giving: Every.org aims to increase the joy of giving while reducing the friction associated with donations. By offering a platform that is easy to use, visually appealing, and aligned with donors’ values, every.org helps nonprofits engage with a younger demographic that is particularly values-driven and tech-savvy.
  5. Building a Donor Pipeline: The episode explores strategies for building and maintaining a donor pipeline, emphasizing the importance of understanding donors’ stories and motivations. This relational approach not only helps in retaining donors but also encourages them to become advocates for the cause, potentially bringing in new supporters.
  6. The Role of Boards in Fundraising: Allison highlights the tension between nonprofit boards’ expectations for growth and sustainability and their reluctance to actively participate in fundraising efforts. She calls for a cultural shift within organizations to align fundraising practices with core values and reduce the pressure on development staff.

ABOUT ALLISON FINE:

Allison Fine is a trailblazing force in the realm of technology for social good. Her expertise and captivating speaking style have made her a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences around the world. Her engaging presentations inspire audiences to embrace technology as a tool for positive change and provide actionable strategies for harnessing its potential.

Allison has written four influential books that have helped to reshape the nonprofit landscape. Her latest book on the use of Artificial Intelligence for social good is, “The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World”, which was co-authored with Beth Kanter. She currently serves as the President of Every.org, a nonprofit that supports a free fundraising platform that increases the joy of giving while decreasing friction.

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