Your Case for Support: Becoming Fluent in Your Donors' Language

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

10am - 11:30am CST Zoom

Workshop: $50

About this session: The first truth of every fundraiser: donors aren’t giving to support your organization, they’re giving to achieve higher objectives that they value. Clarifying that connection is the job of your case statement – the crucial document that underpins and guides all your donor-directed communications, from cultivation pieces to proposals, annual reports, and social media – and which is fundamental to energizing your organization’s culture of philanthropy.

Ranging from the strategic to the highly practical, this workshop in “case craft” is appropriate for development professionals, nonprofit communicators, executive and volunteer leaders – or anyone facing the challenge of representing an organization to its constituents. By learning to develop rock-solid answers to every donor’s “why now, why here, why this, and why me” questions, you will pinpoint your organization’s unique philanthropic appeal and present your fundraising priorities not as dry projects, but in terms that resonate with donor interests. Discover the rational, stepwise process for articulating your organization’s underlying values – values that your donors will recognize readily and support generously.

Learning Objectives:
1. Gain familiarity with the real reasons donors give
2. Articulate your funding priorities in ways that trigger donor motivations
3. Learn the practical steps to writing your own organization’s case for support
4. Master the knack of seeing your organization from your donors’ point of view
 

Who Should Participate:  Fundraising professionals with 2 or more year's experience at small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations.

Doug Diefenbach is an accomplished marketing and communications professional specializing in nonprofit philanthropic communications. Serving in both senior staff and consultant roles for more than 35 years, he has helped a wide variety of organizations exceed their goals for brand visibility, constituent engagement and philanthropic revenue. Doug’s experience makes him a perfect choice to serve as main message strategist and editorial lead on all communications for Foster Avenue, a creative agency that, for more than 40 years, has specialized in providing strategic philanthropic communications and campaign branding for the nation’s leading higher education, healthcare and cultural institutions.