In Part I of this article I asked about your theory of donations, based onAngela Duckworth’s book Grit. I also promised to share my development theory based on decades of helping organizations grow their income:
mission x effort x skill = supporters
supporter value x effort= income
Term Descriptions
Supporters
Jim Collins, in his monograph, “Good to Great in the Social Sector,” writes “. . . the number-one resource for a great social sector organization is having enough of the right people willing to commit themselves to mission.”
Effort
Effort counts twice. This is your grit.
Skill
No one is a born fundraiser. Fundraising requires a bucket of proficiencies. For some, talking to people comes easy. For others, writing requests is their forte. Professionals work on development skills one-by-one throughout their professional careers, and master them.
Value
Your supporters determine value, not you. When you provide supporters with value, some respond and become donors.
For more on the need for the theory and grit, read Want Donations? Part I:Crystalize Your Development Theory. Then work out your theory of donations.
Karen Eber Davis Consulting guides executive directors and CEOs to generate the resources, boards, and support they need to make remarkable progress on their missions. As the award-winning thought-leader, advisor, and founding principal of Karen Eber Davis Consulting, Karen helps nonprofit leaders get answers, generate revenue, and grow their mission. Davis is known for her innovation and practicality based on her work with or visits to over 1,000 nonprofit organizations and her experience leading board and team events. She is the author of 7 Nonprofit Income Streams and Let's Raise Nonprofit Millions Together.