Be sure you’re following this fundraising adage when making presentations and writing donor letters! 

As the saying goes… ‘people give to people’; meaning people donate more when they hear an impassioned plea or feel something deep in their heart, and know that the end result is a a person/ pet successfully helped. I like to think that ‘people give more to people protecting pets.’ People don’t give money to a building, to a piece of equipment or because they see a logo. Buildings aren’t passionate or loving creatures. Equipment isn’t interesting or dedicated individuals. These are just objects. You need to move past these concrete items and explain how the building or piece of equipment will help Fluffy and Scruffy who were abandoned, needed medical care and were saved by your rescue. People give to the animals, and in this instance, the animals may need a new building or surgical table. But, it’s for the animals that your donors will open their checkbook, not for a building. 

Start preparing now and get a presentation ready to take out on your circuit of community events! You may become the next biggest thing in your area’s speaking circle! This is a great way to make influential friends and get your cause known by many in your community. Take a look at the article I wrote called “Creating Your A-list of Invitees” which mentions speaking engagements. This is a great way to get some donations, make some friends and most likely win over some new volunteers for your group! Your future board members and major fundraisers/ donors might be in that audience! 

These presentations also work wonderfull as an at-home party. You host a fundraising dinner in your home, invite several friends to enjoy the dinner and listen to your presentation on animal overpopulation or the future of your rescue. Then, invite them to pledge a donation to your cause. Remember, people are giving to your group initially because you’ve pulled on a heart string and truly presented the idea with passion. That’s what gets them to bring out the checkbook.