Instead, we ask people to help us identify and connect with people who are predisposed to supporting our work. They
would include:
- People
who believe in social justice and equal opportunity.
- People
who believe that education is a fundamental human right, a dignified means out
of poverty, and a pathway to social equality.
- People
who believe that sharing their resources helps them to grow emotionally and/or
spiritually.
- People
who believe that indigenous peoples in the Western
Hemisphere have been the victims of oppression and
exploitation for over 500 years.
- People
who believe in compassion and promoting the welfare of others.
When we first founded Avivara, we were sometimes guilty of trespassing. It
was what we knew and were most familiar with at the time. But over the years we have seen
how relationships based on trespassing will ultimately fail to sustain the work that we hope to accomplish in improving education in Guatemala.
Now when we talk with people – new people we meet, business colleagues – we
are getting to know them and they’re getting to know us. That’s what happens in
human conversation, learning about each other. Even the most casual
conversation gives us clues about people’s interests and disinterests. For those
who seem predisposed to the issues mentioned above, we invite them to learn
more about Avivara and its work.
This process of identifying the predisposed and nurturing relationships is
essential to the long-term health and effectiveness of our organization. It is
about building a “tribe” of people and businesses that will support our work with more than just a single donation (as much
as we do appreciate that). So, we ask our supporters to not only make a commitment to
ongoing financial support, but to also talk about us positively in the community;
share ideas and insights with us; and, beyond that, help us get connected
with others who might be predisposed to supporting our work.
So, again we are asking you, Please: NO TRESPASSING. Instead, help us connect with those people who would be open to hearing about our work
with the children and teachers of Guatemala. We, the staff of
Avivara, will do the further work needed to cultivate and nurture those
introductions into a loyal relationship for supporting Avivara over
an extended period of time.
To provide an even deeper look into our process I have included below a description of our
mission-centered, four-step approach for cultivating donor relationships without
“trespassing.”
Step One: The Point of Entry
Potential donors/supporters come to know about Avivara by attending a Point of Entry Event (usually
a staff presentation), a succinct, introductory event that educates
and inspires guests with facts about Guatemala, a description of the work Avivara is accomplishing, and personal stories about the people we work with. At these events, we gather
each guest's name and contact information (with their permission, of course). It is
important to understand that people will not be asked to contribute at a Point
of Entry/Staff Presentation Event. (Although donation information would be
available to those who request it.)
Step Two: Follow Up and Involve
Those people who have given us their contact information will then receive a personal Follow-Up Call to solicit their
feedback, to see if they would like to become involved in any way, and asked if they
know anyone else who might like to learn more about our work in Guatemala.
Those who are interested in learning more about us are involved
and cultivated personally in the way they most prefer (i.e., newsletter,
social media, volunteering, direct mail, phone calls, etc.)
Bless and Release
"Bless and Release" is a critical part of our process. It is where we graciously
let people go who are not interested in learning more about our work. For example, with guests at our Point of Entry Events who have not requested to be contacted, we thank
them sincerely, then let them off the hook completely. This "Bless
and Release" technique shows our respect for people and their needs and distinguishes us from many other non-profit organizations.
Step Three: Asking for Money
After a period of personalized cultivation, many of our Point of Entry
guests, as well as other friends of the organization, will be asked
for a contribution. In our approach, asking can occur one-on-one,
through a direct appeal, or at an Ask Event.
An Ask Event is a special gathering where guests are personally invited after being
cultivated extensively and asked to join
Avivara’s Multiple-Year Giving Group of donors. All asking is carefully structured to avoid pressure or
awkwardness, and to honor all donors and supporters, regardless of their giving
level.
Step Four: Introducing Others; Reconnecting Existing Donors
Finally, in the fourth step of our fund-raising, donors are re-connected to our
mission and accomplishments at Cultivation Events, (art shows,
movie screenings, anything we can think up and arrange, etc.) and are encouraged to introduce others
to the organization by inviting them to either a Point
of Entry or Cultivation Event.
As I mentioned earlier, it is always a challenge to gather
donations and the economic uncertainty of the last few years has not made that process any easier. We are very much hoping you can help us by
hosting a Point of Entry/Staff Presentation Event during one of our visits to
the U.S. to help us share our stories with others who care.
We can’t do it alone. Contact Us.
Peace,
Gary Teale
Executive Director, Avivara
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