That's All Right Then

I have frontal fibrosing alopecia.  A fancy way of saying that my hairline is receding.  A lot.  My sister calls me Bess, after Queen Elizabeth I, who might have shaved the front part of her hair to get that high crown.  (PHOTO AT RIGHT OR LEFT).  At first it bothered me, a lot.  But my hair is curly, and except at the top in front, I have a lot of it, so it hard to see the problem.  I don’t love that I have this condition, but in the scheme of things, it isn’t such a big deal.

So I say.

And then, sometimes I have dreams where I am in a room full of women who are all balding in some form or other.  Most more noticeably than I am.  As I look at these women in my dream, I think, “well, that’s all right then.” And it is. I feel immeasurably better about my condition because, well, now I am part of a group.

Being part of something is important to all of us.  It’s something, I think, fundraisers forget all too often.  People give not just because you have a great mission or made a fabulous ask.  Often they give because someone they are or want to be connected to was part of that ask.  Often they give because they want to become part of your community.  We neglect that part at our peril.

And peril it is.

Donor retention has historically been low—and it is getting lower.  Trump’s tariffs and stock market volatility, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, are causing online donors to pull back.  Clients tell me that major donors they’ve been working with are asking them to “slow down” as they need what direction the economy is heading.

Smart fundraisers will continue to cultivate these donors—not just showing them how their generosity makes an impact but also inviting them to be part of their community.

That could mean actual invitations—to tour your facility, meet your ED and/or your board chair.  Extend an invitation to an event or a talk by one of your program people.  It also is sharing information to a very special and specific group.  Perhaps those who are monthly donors; have made a first gift recently, Or those who have given at certain levels.  Send it via email and make it chatty.  And make it clear that this to a group of like-minded people.

Language matters.  Use words and phrases that reinforce the notion that you are doing this together.  Better yet, talk about the things you really are doing together by highlighting stories about donors and volunteers in your newsletters, on social media and your website, and at events.

Speaking of events, not all should be fundraisers.  You can offer service days, town halls, tours that show not just your pretty face but what it takes to be that pretty face.

More than that—create opportunities for your team to meet each other. This is a perfect way to encourage volunteers to have house parties—and invite not just people from their circle, but also those a bit outside.  Or create affinity groups of those who have similar experiences, backgrounds, geography—and tailor the information or the activity to fit them to a tee.

So many ways to embrace your donors and supporters and make them a part of you.  Go wild.  Get creative.  Built community. And make  your donors/supporters/volunteers feel that it is all right then.  They are part of a group.