Owning (and sharing) Your Own Story
Experiences make someone unique—special. And yet, we sometime underplay why that is important.
All too often, I teach/consult by telling stories. They are about my experiences. I am careful to not signal anything “grandiose” about me (mainly because it is personally terribly uncomfortable and gauche), but I have been blessed with amazing experiences, most of which I do not deserve. At the same time, I have come to appreciate using story “metaphors” to help people see outside of their own circumstances to better understand the situation and possible solutions available to them. In those stories, I am pretty open (success and more often failure), thus “owning” my own story—for better or for worse.
If authenticity and trust are the hallmark of great philanthropic relationships, the “owning” one’s story really should be a part of building great relationships. And in my experience, when one appropriately shares one’s own experience, particular failure/trial, it engenders great trust.
From a grand scale, telling one’s own story in philanthropy fundraising is crucial for several reasons:
Authenticity and Connection: Sharing a personal journey allows potential donors to connect on a human level. It shows authenticity and builds trust, which are essential for encouraging people to support a cause.
Inspiration and Empathy: Personal stories have the power to inspire others. When donors hear how someone close has been impacted by the cause, it can evoke empathy and motivate them to contribute.
Clarity of Purpose: One’s own story helps clarify why one is passionate about the cause. It communicates personal commitment and dedication, which can convince donors that their contributions will make a real difference.
Building Relationships: Sharing a story can initiate and strengthen relationships with potential donors. It creates a foundation for ongoing communication and engagement, as donors feel more connected to the cause through a unique narrative.
Demonstrating Impact: By illustrating how the cause has affected individuals personally, one can vividly demonstrate the impact of donations. This makes the cause more tangible and compelling to potential supporters.
Encouraging Action: Personal stories can be powerful calls to action. When donors understand the emotional and practical reasons behind involvement, they are more likely to act and contribute financially or through other means.
Differentiation: In a crowded philanthropic landscape, a personal story sets you apart from other fundraisers or organizations. It gives your campaign a unique voice and identity that donors can resonate with.
In essence, telling one’s own story in philanthropy fundraising is not just about recounting personal experiences; it's about leveraging those experiences to build meaningful connections, inspire action, and drive positive change for the cause. There is, of course, a balancing act. Sharing TOO personal of a story can be incredibly off-putting. And at the same time, one has to feel comfortable sharing appropriate personal experiences and opinions. But if balanced correctly, owning the positive and negative experiences, shared appropriately, can create deeper, more meaningful relationships—and may lead to connections in philanthropic support that are transformational in terms of impact.
