Are You Sending Self-Defeating Messages?

Are you sending messages to your constituents that lets them off the hook by telling them that it’s ok not to give?

That’s bad!

Take, for example, nonprofits that fight diseases and communicate the message that they can’t make any “real” progress because the disease is so pervasive.  

Or, the environmental charity that drives away potential donors with messages like the following: …the dire, apocalyptic visions painted by many in the environmental field are undermining belief in global warming and discouraging action.

World hunger and poverty nonprofits using the astounding numbers of hunger-related deaths that happen every day, or similar facts, are telling donors their gifts are too small to make a difference.

The above are but a few examples.

People don’t give to help solve problems because they are huge. They give because the problems are solvable.

Remember that the next time you make a request for gifts. Focusing on stories of individuals is by far the better way to go.