Your Organization May Be Gone in 5 Years if You Don’t Do These 3 Things

We have just experienced the greatest season of charitable giving in the history of the organization where I serve.

There was no capital campaign. No fundraising drive and no direct mail appeal. No challenge, yet people gave…and gave – more than half a million dollars over the past few weeks!

Here’s why…

Do you REALLY believe?

To be honest – I was caught off guard by the significant increase in giving. Don’t get me wrong – we planned for a budget surplus, but I was cautiously optimistic.

Let’s face it – many families are still out of work. The last few weeks of 2012 our country was headed off the proverbial cliff. At the same time the stock market took a dive. It wasn’t looking good.

Those who know me well know that my faith and vision are huge. (Sometimes too big! – if there is such a thing.) But today, my faith and vision are bigger than ever before! Because hundreds of people gave generously despite numerous negative economic indicators.

Are you adding value?

Every January we send a letter to our donors. So last week I spent some time thinking about how we can effectively communicate appreciation for the generosity of so many.

Here’s what I know –

[Tweet “People willingly and generously give where they perceive value.”]

That’s why it’s so energizing when people give to your organization – by giving, they are demonstrating that they believe in you, in your mission, in the vision. And they value it enough to give to it over every other cause in the world.

The mission and vision of our organization is huge – and valuable! (I’m sure you feel the same way about your organization, your team, and your role.) And part of my role involves communicating that value so people have the opportunity to join in the cause.

So next week, when we send out a communication to our donors, here are 3 things that will be included…

1. Vision

Successful people and organizations are continuously developing and communicating vision. Your life – your one-and-only-life – demands that you pursue a huge, compelling vision with passion.

Do something that is doomed to fail unless your whole heart is in it. And your entire team is working for it!

2. What’s next

The journey is more enjoyable when you can share it with others. So when you identify those who love where you’re headed, free them to succeed by providing clear, tangible next steps. Show them what’s coming up – what’s just over the horizon.

They may just take it and run with it!

3. That just happened

It’s easy to forget to stop and smell the roses. Yet our teams need to hear about the progress we’re making.

Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress when you’re in the midst of the work – you know, the whole forest and trees thing.

Enjoy the journey and celebrate progress! In your communication, talk about where you just came from. Celebrate even small successes.

You, your team, and your organization will find more energy and passion when you do.

The Alternative?

[Tweet “Your organization may be gone in 5 years if you don’t do these 3 things.”]

Question: Help me out – what would you add to my list? How do you innovatively communicate value to your customers, donors, or parishioners? Leave your ideas in the comments. Thanks!