A #nonprofit secured a $150,000 grant to create Makers Spaces in two public schools in their region, but six months into the grant there was a serious problem. One of the schools had a leadership transition, and could not start the project. How does the nonprofit deal with the #funder so that the #grant is not in jeopardy?
If your organization is pushing its #innovation edge, then this is a likely scenario. Communicating with funders in an open and transparent way is key. Two mindsets are critical to the way you handle this communication...
a Design Thinking mindset and Funder-Partner mindset.
#DesignThinking is about creating a learning culture that works deeply with its intended beneficiaries-- conducting cycles of brainstorming, prototyping, implementing in real-world contexts, evaluating, and refining.
The #FunderPartner mindset enables a nonprofit to bring their funder into the project design work, share your learnings including the challenges and draw on the funder’s expertise to work on adapting your solution.
#Funders appreciate your honest assessment of the risks and challenges. Being part of your design process helps create a new collaborative space to work through the hiccups.
Now You: How have you communicated a bump in the road to a funder or client?
Communicating Your Oranization's Unique Voice
Do you work hard to create polished corporate fundraising materials for your organization? What if you did this one thing instead…
What if you found your organization’s unique voice instead and through it conveyed its specialness?
Think of the memorable organizational voice created in the long-running series “The Office.” There is no question that you are entering a unique world and at the same time get a window into the universal office experience.
Imagine if we captured the unique voice and character of our organization. This might convey to our constituents not only what we do, but the unique way we approach our work. Sharing our organizational voice helps convey our passion, our values.
The show “Schitt’s Creek” features the formerly elite wealthy Rose family, now broke and living in this small town. The characters are all quirky with distinct ways of talking, their urban black and white stylings set against the backdrop of a downtrodden motel where they are now living.
How can your organization be a character in your narrative? This might differentiate you from the many other organizations that do similar work.
What are some memorable organizations you know and what are the ways they express their unique voice?
#fundraising, #nonprofit, #Commnications