3 Circles

The Story

I was sitting in on a board meeting a few years ago when the board chair, who was formerly a fundraiser for a political party, led the committee through a fundraising activity. He shared that the United Way states that people need to fall in three categories to contribute to your organization; 1) A link to that organization 2) Like or Respect you 3) Discretionary Income. The board chair articulated this well and then handed out a sheet of paper with 30 blank lines on it and told people to take 10 minutes and write down people that they know that fit into these three categories. It was painful. For 10 minutes no one wrote anyone down. Then the light bulb went on for me. If someone falls into all three categories they are likely already giving generously to this organization. In fact they are likely the people in the room. A venn diagram popped in my head-- we were asking people to come up with someone in the tiny spot where the three circles intersect!

We have all been there. Trying to brainstorm with the committee who else could be donors only to come up empty. Trying to brainstorm who could we recruit to the committee and coming up empty. Trying to brainstorm who else could be leaders and coming up empty. I think the United Way is on to something --- but the activity that we do needs a little tweaking. We need pens to start writing down names.

The Activity

Rather than asking people to write down names that fit all three criteria, hand out a page that has the three criteria at the top of each column. Cover up the second and third columns and give people 5 minutes to write down everyone they know who likes or respects them. Don’t rule anyone out---neighbors, co-workers, small group members, friends, parents of kids friends etc etc. Next give them 5 minutes with a link to your organization, and then the column of discretionary income. The same activity works to board members or leaders too. Just change the third column to “Cares about ____” rather than “Discretionary Income”

Objective

• Get pens moving--- help people get ‘unstuck’ in brainstorming

• Inform us on what we need to offer people for them to take the next step of involvement

Fundraising Exercise

Share the diagram and how this came about. Give the board 5 minutes with each column. The key is to not eliminate anyone in your mind. Write down EVERYONE who fits that one category.

Below are some beliefs of mine, these numbers may be very different based on where you are and what your fundraising goals are but the principles remain the same.

If you are in one category you usually give $100

• Ex. You went to YL camp in the 80’s but you don’t have a lot of money and don’t know anyone locally – you will give $100

• You are in a small group with the committee chair, don’t have a lot of money and don’t know much about YL – you will give $100

• You don’t know YL, you aren’t friends with people on the committee, but you have some discretionary income – you will usually RSVP no to the banquet but give $100

If you cross over to two categories – I think you jump to $500

• Ex. You are in a small group with a committee member and you have discretionary income – $500

• You went to YL camp in 1984 and your neighbor is on the committee – you will sacrifice and probably give monthly but you will give about $500

• You have discretionary income and you went to YL camp in 1984 but are not connected locally – $500

The big jump takes place when you are in all three circles – these are the folks who donate $10,000.

• You were involved in YL yourself, are connected locally and have the means to give $10,000

I believe that if a person is in two categories the staff person and/or a committee member could meet with them to ask them to contribute (of course you need to use discretion),

This exercise accomplishes two things

• Helps people to come up with new people they haven’t thought of before

• Informs us on what we should do with folks to help them move toward the center circle

If someone went to YL camp when in high school but not involved locally-- we need to find a way to connect them locally

If someone knows the staff or committee locally but doesn’t know YL well we need to get them to camp, or club, or trail west--- or at least sit them and share stories

Of course we have no ability to impact a person’s income levels.