More Effectively Sharing Impact

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emrank/

Are you currently giving your donors enough information so that they can say with certainty how their gift was used?

If not, how might you more effectively communicate the impact of their support back to them?

Impact can be more effectively communicated through a clear explanation of your mission's numbers as Table to Table food rescue in Iowa City does:

In 2011, we rescued 1,012,569 pounds of bread, bakery items, produce, dairy and prepared foods.  Every 1.33 pounds of rescued food is considered an equivalent meal, so this works out to be 761,330 equivalent meals Table to Table was able to distribute through our recipient agencies.  This is over 1.78 million dollars worth of food. Wholesome food. Food that provides nourishment for those in need in our community.

Impact can be also be effectively communicated through adding a recipient story, as from this Luther Institute scholarship recipient:

"It took me three full years of extra work during to save up for my semester off campus while putting myself through college. Being selected for the Daniel Frank Ruble Memorial Award while studying in the Luther Institute program was literally the difference between me eating Ramen noodles and buying actual groceries all semester. I am forever grateful for the impact the Ruble family had on my education. I will do my best to honor Daniel Frank's memory always."

These stories of impact exist in the great work you are doing, too. The time you invest in finding and more effectively communicating them will be well spent!