Spring, Summer, Snowbirds!
As many snowbirds make their return trips to Maine, we know you’re planning on how to best strengthen relationships during this limited opportunity. Our best tip…
Invite donors to engage in a mission moment. This looks different for everyone but can be as simple or extravagant as you have the vision and resources for. Try out one of the ideas below, or your own and let us know how it goes!
host a group facility tour
Have a space that is open to the public? Consider the donors you work with and where there might be commonality. Use the information you know to curate an event. Do you have people who live or vacation in a shared location? How about those who attended the same college or who work in the same industry?
Identify a small group and invite them to tour your space together. You’ll foster a sense of community among them and demonstrate your interest in them beyond their financial support of your organization.
Unable to bring people together in your space? Consider where else you could gather- a community partner, a library, a restaurant, or another location that uplifts your mission.
create an experience
Where is there an opportunity to have a shared experience? What ongoing programming does your organization have? Inviting donors to events is a focus of many organizations and you’ll be competing against social commitments which often fill calendars in the summer, especially for snowbirds.
Think beyond a traditional event and tailor your offering to be easily engageable. Share an essay or film about a current exhibit along with your reactions and ask them to share their thoughts. Share a recipe from a community cooking class that they can recreate on their own.
Whatever you offer, it should be experiential and directly engage your donors in an extension of your work.
share a behind-the-scenes peek
Be vulnerable and share a glimpse of the unpublic side of the organization. Send a photo of something that caught your eye in the office and elaborate on why you were moved to share. Or, ask for advice on a project or challenge; this should be done with people whose knowledge and expertise can be truly beneficial.
Giving people another access point into your work and mission opens up a new layer to your relationship and strengthens trust and respect between parties.
educate on bills you’re advocating for
Does your organization work in the social sector? What legislation is important to strengthen your mission? Share this information with your partners.
Engaging in political conversations can be uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Reach out to your colleagues, they may be able to offer guidance and coach you. If your donor’s passions support your mission, this is a great opportunity to engage their support beyond funds and empower them to advocate on your behalf.
introduce to a community partner
None of us work in silos, we all enhance our community. Introduce your donor to an organization aligned with their interests or someone you work closely with. Highlight how the collaboration expands your organization’s work and some key achievements.
This shows a dedication to community strength rather than being fearful of competition.
learn about donor passions and motivation
Are you working with a larger group that doesn’t necessarily need one-to-one attention? Try using a google form to build a survey. Ask questions about how they became aware of your organization: what are their philanthropic goals, what are they looking forward to most during the summer, what is their go-to lobster roll order- you get the idea. Whatever you ask, balance the questions so you learn about their interests related to, and beyond, your organization. And lastly, ask if they’d be open to meeting. It’s a great excuse to follow up and move toward a relationship-based approach.