If you’ve ever had a kid explain Pokémon to you, you know what pure, unfiltered passion looks like.
Their eyes light up, their words come faster than their brains, and suddenly, you’re caught in a tidal wave of excitement over a tiny electric rodent.
That, my friends, is the energy we need in fundraising.
My kid’s school, after a successful fundraiser, rewarded their top cash-collectors from each class to throw a pie in the face of their principal.
Want to see kids enthusiastically fundraiser? Offer them an activity that involves hurling whipped cream filled pie tins in front of their classmates.
Instant passion for something we professionals don’t necessarily have all the time.
Passion is contagious. It sells ideas, sparks action, and makes people want to be part of something bigger. And yet, how many fundraisers deliver their pitch with the enthusiasm of a soggy paper towel?
When someone tells you to “take it down a notch,” we tend to be hurt or kinda offended by that other human who, for whatever reason, isn’t feeling your good vibes.
It’s never said from our donors, or supporters or cheerleaders…but usually from someone who is either jealous of our awesomeness, or someone who, for their own reasons, feels threatened by how attractive it is to be enthusiastic, passionate and excitable. Especially for a mission or program impact that means a lot to make the community better.
I say, now more than ever, we need enthusiasm and passion to be a focal point of nonprofit fundraising work.
Writing Fundraise Like a 5th Grader had me thinking about all the joy my kids have telling me stories about a video they saw or a game they made up from scratch in the basement on a day where they were trapped inside because the we live where the cold air hurts my face.
It’s why I dedicated an entire chapter to remind folks to embrace their inner kids’ passion.
But sometimes we forget what to do – because at some point, we’ve been told it might be “too much.”
So what’s the takeaway?
Passion Sells
If you aren’t excited about your mission, why should anyone else be? Try these quick fixes if you ever feel yourself lacking in passion:
1. Speak with conviction. You know what your organization does matters. Don’t “meh” the pitch. People don’t give to ho-hum attitudes.
2. Share stories that make you feel something. Get emotional – it’s ok! We’re taught not to invest too much in our mission, but I say screw that. If knowing that your work saved a girl from being trafficked, or provided shelter to someone who has never known anything but living in a tent – it’s ok to show real, authentic enthusiasm.
3. Let your energy pull people in like the Pied Piper of Philanthropy. Donors want to be on winning teams, and if you can’t get them as excited to give as you’re excited to get? Then chug that extra Monster energy drink and drag your supporters excitedly through all the wins they could help make through their gifts.
A fifth grader will raise hundreds of dollars just for the chance to smash a pie in their principal’s face. Why? Because they believe in the mission (and the pie).
Bring that same passion to your fundraising and watch what happens.
You got this!
-Patrick
PS: My new book Fundraise Like a 5th Grader goes on Sale March 17th! Want exclusive peeks and cool downloadable things before anyone else – write me and say “I WANT COOL FUDNRAISE LIKE A 5TH GRADER STUFF” and we’ll hook you up!!! Patrick@DoGoodBetterConsulting.com
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