Lessons from Fundraising Yoda

My daughter asked to watch Star Wars this weekend, and I also stumbled across my new teacher on Twitter, Yoda, CFRJ (Certified Fundraising Jedi).

This must be a convergence in the Force.

I spent some time reading his contributions and here are a few recent highlights:

I wish I had this when I started as a major gift fundraiser years back:

A clear point and value, there must be, for all your donor meetings. Otherwise, meeting, why are you?

— Yoda, CFRJ (@FundraisingYoda) January 29, 2015

Gratitude involves remembering and treasuring donors:

Old Jedi tale, there is. Charity forgot their donor, and the donor then forgot the charity. Hopes, Yoda, that this is not about you.
— Yoda, CFRJ (@FundraisingYoda) January 21, 2015

…Even when they complain:

If a donor complains, fear do not. Care, they do, enough to tell you. Fix and keep a friend.

— Yoda, CFRJ (@FundraisingYoda) January 14, 2015

Help your donors feel special:

Many donors, you may have, in your galaxy. But feel like the only one, they should.
— Yoda, CFRJ (@FundraisingYoda) January 22, 2015

(That’s one reason why I like the phone channel so much. There’s a tremendous opportunity to show gratitude, make a personal connection and hear the donor’s story.)

Fundraising Yoda tweets regularly and very wise he is. Head on over and become a student of Yoda, CFRJ today.

And may The Force, and the donors, be with you.

-Brian Gawor, CFRP (Certified Fundraising Padawan)