Building Credibility: Reflections on Personal Gifts

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You're found a great organization with a mission in which you passionately believe. You enjoy volunteering. You know additional resources will move your mission forward. You're ready to help your organization tackle its critical need to connect donors and your mission through fundraising. What's next?

Take a moment to reflect on your personal giving to your favorite organization(s). The time you dedicate is incredibly valuable. One of the best ways to build credibility as you prepare to ask others to invest in your mission is to make an investment of your own. 

Few interactions are more meaningful when you ask others to donate than to when you ask them to join you in making a mission investment.

The best recommendation I've ever heard on how much to invest in your favorite organization(s) is from Helen B. Arnold, CFRE. "Give at a level where you care how the money is spent."

 Is it okay that this amount will be different for each person and his or her particular circumstances and realities? Absolutely. 

If you don't believe enough in your favorite organization's mission to make a mission investment, why should anyone else do the same? 

What are your thoughts on personal gifts?