Time to tweak your fundraising messaging

Fundraising gets a bad rap for being pushy and surface level.

We tend to associate fundraising in the AgEd world as meat sticks, wreaths and cookie dough.

In reality, it is so much more.

It’s about opportunity, it’s about impact, it’s about legacy!

The funds you raise give students an opportunity which impacts their lives and can eventually lead to a legacy they build for their families, friends and careers.

And that is the VERY reason we should put more intention and care into our fundraisers!

If you are looking for that intention and care. Here are three quick tips for you to tweak your fundraising messaging.

Be a storyteller

You know what sells? Things that people can buy EMOTIONALLY. How much more likely are you to buy the wreath from the kid who told the story about how the wreath is helping their chapter sponsor a local animal shelter versus the kid who just asks for the sale? Teach the students to tell the story of the fund. Remember you aren’t raising money, you are raising opportunities!

Be specific

Confused people don’t buy! When you are SPECIFIC about your fundraiser, it is easier for people to buy. Be specific about WHAT you are selling, WHERE you are selling it, WHEN they can pick up, and WHY you are selling it (remember to be a story teller). Make sure your students know the answers to all of these questions before selling!

Find your people

Not everyone wants a wreath, not everyone wants a geranium, not everyone wants a meat stick, not everyone wants a donut. AND THAT IS OK. Your job is to FIND the people who DO want it and SHOW UP where they are! Selling meat sticks with a newspaper article might not hit the right audience. Selling the plant sale with posters around the school might not hit the right audience. Dive deep into WHO the RIGHT buyer is, and find out where they show up, and sell there!

Set aside some time before you announce your next fundraiser to think through how you can be a storyteller, be specific and find your people.