For nearly 100 years, Southside Mission in Peoria, Illinois has served the area’s most vulnerable residents. As the nonprofit’s Development Manager, Rich Drager knows that fundraising for an organization with such a challenging mission requires creativity, compassion, and an ability to connect donors to meaningful impact.
Two of the keys to fundraising success at Southside Mission are diversity and listening.
Drager explains that the nonprofit has been “focusing on diversity, both in terms of our staff, in terms of our board of directors, and in terms of those we serve.”
By reflecting the diversity of the community in its leadership and programs, Southside Mission builds trust and cultural competence. This diversity then helps the organization to better understand and serve its clients.
The other key is listening. Drager says, “the best advice I’ve ever been given is be a great listener and observer, especially when you’re working with donors.” By listening to donors and understanding their passions, development professionals can connect them to the mission in a personal way. At Southside Mission, Drager listens to “hear what is on [donors’] hearts, what their passion is.” He can then share stories of the people and programs those donors’ gifts will impact.
For nonprofit fundraising, the lessons from Southside Mission are clear. Build diversity at all levels of the organization to strengthen community relationships and better achieve your mission. And practice active listening with donors to find the connections that inspire them to give generously and become true partners in creating change. With creativity, compassion, and by opening its doors to a diversity of voices, Southside Mission has funded nearly 100 years of serving those in need. Overall, the keys to their fundraising success remain diversity and listening.
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