Top Strategies for Open Nonprofit Donor Conversations
Every donor conversation should be co-creative.
A few years ago I enrolled in an intensive coaching course. It wasn’t designed just for aspiring professional coaches, but for anyone who wanted to bring a more thoughtful, empowering approach to everyday conversations.
What struck me most was how directly these lessons apply to fundraising — especially donor conversations.
At the heart of this approach are two qualities every fundraiser needs.
1. CURIOSITY
When you’re genuinely curious about another person you ask questions to draw them out.
And questions to help them get to the place they want to go; not where you think they should go.
Because what’s right for you is not always right for someone else. They’ll tell you what’s right – with you acting as their guide – but only if you’re interested enough to ask.
It happens some questions are better than others if you want to get to the core of the matter at hand. We’ll get to those in a moment.
2. LISTENING
There’s a better way to have dynamic, effective conversations than jumping in prematurely with your own opinion.
I’ve always known this, but it turns out there’s more to it than adopting the old adage: “You have two ears and one mouth; use them in that proportion.”
Because it’s how you approach the listening that matters.
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