At weddings, ministers are fond of rehearsing the historical story of Jesus’ first miracle. He attends a wedding where the host runs out of wine. At the insistence of his mother, he turns six stone jars of water into wine.The belief in miracles is a matter of personal faith and varies among individuals and spiritual traditions. Personally, I believe it is a miracle every time someone gives away money they could have spent on themselves! Fundraising is participation in the miraculous! But...

Let me introduce you to my friend Jeff Slaughter. He is a missionary, fundraiser, master storyteller and more. Find Jeff at:https://jeffslaughterwrites.com/https://elevateeurope.com/Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERESpecial price $5.00You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

As a fundraising consultant, I’ve encountered countless nonprofits who believe they’re telling compelling stories about their work. But when I look at their websites and social media feeds, I’m often left wondering: Where are the stories?Fundraisers think like news reporters when it comes to telling stories. But nothing could be further from the truth. You are not a news reporter, you are a nonprofit storyteller. There is a huge difference in news reporting and storytelling. What I usual...

I love Africa and I adore African fundraisers. Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts to create positive change in your community is truly inspiring. You deserve to get the money you need. There are some things you need to understand about fundraising internationally, especially with Americans.There is sometimes a disconnect between you and your potential American supporters on social media and electronically.Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.Get a digital copy of ...

Naming opportunities are a nonprofit's golden ticket to unlocking major donations. This episode reveals the power of offering naming rights to recognize supporters, plus you'll learn 7 key steps to follow to successfully implement this lucrative fundraising strategy.Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERESpecial price $5.00You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Describing the need is easy compared with the hard work of finding the descriptive words that paint a picture of the need having been met. If there is one thing I find that leaders don't understand, it is the power of vision. Most leaders think they become powerful when they can describe the need. Not so. Describing the need is easy compared to describing the world, like Pastor Wells, where that need would no longer be valid.Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today...

When we fail to recognize and celebrate “firsts,” we miss powerful opportunities to strengthen our relationships, build momentum, and create a positive, thriving culture.In families, celebrating firsts – from a baby’s first steps to a teenager’s first job – helps to create a strong sense of unity, pride, and mutual support. By acknowledging these milestones, we show our loved ones that we are paying attention, and that we are invested in their growth and success. This builds trust, strengthen...

Your vision and mission statements are more than just words on paper - they’re the heart and soul of your nonprofit, guiding every decision you make and every dollar you raise. Invest in getting them right, and watch your impact soar.Need more help? Get my book, I dedicate a whole chapter, Establish Your Compelling Vision, to this.Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERESpecial price $4.99You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Jewish storytellers celebrate unity and brotherhood by telling a story about pouring huge amounts of expensive oil on the top of one of their leader's heads. Their story corresponds to the "rock in the pond" principle. Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERESpecial price $4.99You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

One of Dale Carnagie's favorite stories was about fishing. "I love strawberries and cream, but I find for some reason that fish prefer worms."In the same vein, you don't "catch" donors by baiting the hook with what you love...Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERESpecial price $4.99You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Organizations and fundraisers go to great pains to make sure donors know that giving to their mission is tax deductible. Is this a major reason why donors give to you? Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

People who are tens on the leadership scale attract other people who are tens, nines, eights, and lower. Sevens attract other sevens, sixes, fives and so on. Threes can attract other threes, twos, and ones. People who are a five on the leadership scale don’t often get to work with tens. People who are tens on a leadership scale rarely team up with fives. This is just reality. Remember, you are somewhere on that leadership scale. Your number on that scale matters supremely. It determines who...

If people don't believe in your mission, (and everyone won't), they won't give. But, if they do THEY WILL GIVE YOU THEIR MILLIONS!  Reading through Jerold Panas' book, Mega Gifts, Who Gives Them, Who Get's Them Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Six powerful insights into why people give large gifts to you. From Mega Gifts, by Jerry Panas.  Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

I am reading Mega Gifts by Jerold Panas. After interviewing dozens of people who gave millions and 1,000 successful fundraisers, he examines why people give to charity. The results are surprising.  Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Your story, and your storytelling answers the all important question for the world: WHY Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

IF you can stop talking about your organization so much, and begin to talk about your donors, your community, your beneficiaries, and their hopes, aspirations, values, and struggles, they will know, like, and trust you more. And, if they know, like, and trust you, they will freely give you their time, treasure, and talent. CLICK HERE FOR HOW TO GET THAT ELUSIVE SECOND GIFT BY WRITING BETTER THANK YOUS Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price...

The world will ignore you when you tell your stories the wrong way. I FIND THAT MOST FUNDRAISERS THINK THEY ARE TELLING STORIES WHEN THEY ARE MERELY GIVING REPORTS.  What is the difference? A story is about one person, with a name, with a problem that has been solved (or needs to be).  One person With a name With a proble Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net Instagram LinkedIn

Visionary fundraisers know that telling the truth makes people free, but first, it makes them miserable. This is where story comes in. Storytelling takes a gentler approach and minimizes potential resistance.  This is why one of the most revered teachers in the world said he used story: That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. - Matthew 13:13 - MSG All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. - Matthew 13:34...

Just like the legendary King Arthur and his mighty sword Excalibur, your storytelling is a celestial key that unlocks incredible power. Imagine storytelling as holding your very own Excalibur. When you tell a story, you're not just sharing words; you're wielding a tool that connects people and helps them make sense of their world. It's like having a superpower that brings everyone together. Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE Special price $4.99 You...

Each year as I receive contribution statements from the charities that I supported in the previous year, I am always surprised. As I open them, I am shocked that some are naked.  A naked contribution statement is a printed statement of the donor's gifts for the previous year without any kind of thanks or mention of the nonprofit's "big story.” Naked contribution statements point to an overall lack of appreciation for a donor's giving and hinder the size of their next gifts. With a little...

As humans and other animals approach reaching a goal, their efforts toward that goal increase. Rats run faster as they approach a food reward, and humans increase effort as they approach rewards or goals such as visual finish lines. Social scientists call this pattern of increased effort as we approach goals a “goal gradient” motivation. This matters to you as a fundraiser because donors are twice as likely to join your fundraising campaign when you reach 66% of your goal. Join the Visionary...