The Point of Entry is a name given to the introductory events that prospective donors first attend to hear more about your mission or cause. THis name was given, and trademarked, by Benevon, an organization focused on helping non-profit organizations develop long-term, sustainable funding for their causes.
I have found this to be a crucial component for any organization in the pursuit of raising ambassadors who herald their cause. It is a simple way to introduce people to your mission, and a profound way to re-engage those who have simply become "occasional donors".
Go to Benevon.org to learn all about the event, but do consider adding one of these to your repetoir of activities. In fact, strongly consider dropping one or two other events to make way for this one. Believe me, the long-term benefits of one of these events every month with 8-12 guests, far outweighs the long term benefit of all the effort that goes into a transactional golf-tournament.
Individual missionaries can do it, relief agencies can do them, churches can do them...
If you want assistance in developing your own point of entry type of event, I would be hapy to meet and discuss a mutual plan for developing the event that is going to raise up heralds for your cause.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
To Herald
Herald: One who actively promotes or advocates.
What is the difference between a donor, and an ambassador. Nothing, as long as it could also be said of that particular donor, that they are a herald for your cause. We spend so much time and money developing donors, but sadly at the end of the day, that is often all we have. Someone who makes a transactional response to an appeal, a relationship that often exists simply through the mailbox.
What if we started to shift away from the mailbox, did away with the traditional subtractional chicken dinners, returned the auction items, surrendered our dates at the golf course, and instead, got creative with ways to identify ambassadors for our mission!
What if there were something on the desk of your 100 top supporters, that when seen by any guest who walks into that office, would illicit a comment of conversation about the mission you are attempting to accomplish. Is it a clock, a globe, a statue...
Is the word for your cause spreading through out your community, and are you equipping people in a way that frees them to herald your cause?
...or are you just sitting in the cave of your headquarters, trying to come up with one more clever way to ask for a year end gift, resulting in another round of obligatory gifts.
Don't get me wrong, the direct marketing appeals are not bad...but what relationship has preceded the mail, and when the recipient sees it in their box, are they overcome with excitement, or anxiety?
What is the difference between a donor, and an ambassador. Nothing, as long as it could also be said of that particular donor, that they are a herald for your cause. We spend so much time and money developing donors, but sadly at the end of the day, that is often all we have. Someone who makes a transactional response to an appeal, a relationship that often exists simply through the mailbox.
What if we started to shift away from the mailbox, did away with the traditional subtractional chicken dinners, returned the auction items, surrendered our dates at the golf course, and instead, got creative with ways to identify ambassadors for our mission!
What if there were something on the desk of your 100 top supporters, that when seen by any guest who walks into that office, would illicit a comment of conversation about the mission you are attempting to accomplish. Is it a clock, a globe, a statue...
Is the word for your cause spreading through out your community, and are you equipping people in a way that frees them to herald your cause?
...or are you just sitting in the cave of your headquarters, trying to come up with one more clever way to ask for a year end gift, resulting in another round of obligatory gifts.
Don't get me wrong, the direct marketing appeals are not bad...but what relationship has preceded the mail, and when the recipient sees it in their box, are they overcome with excitement, or anxiety?
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