5 Takeaways from GTMD24 No-Cost Coaching

For many Minnesotans, the leaves turning red and gold means pulling out sweaters and making sure they’re stocked up on sidewalk salt for the upcoming winter. For many fundraisers, however, that same seasonal shift means updating fundraising campaigns and figuring out how to best share their organization’s impactful work during Early Giving and Give to the Max Day. To help with this preparation, every fall, our coaching team provides encouraging and actionable GTMD advice to 50 small nonprofits through brief, no-cost coaching sessions.

This year, coaches Courtney Backen and Clara Jung covered how to effectively utilize the tools available on GiveMN.org, key aspects of effective storytelling, understanding the "why" behind an organization's mission, and more. BIPOC led and/or serving, LGBTQ+ serving, and small budget organizations who attended sessions feeling stressed about fundraising walked away revitalized and ready to tell their stories on GTMD24, with one organization sharing that “this short and free 30-minute coaching session will have a huge return on investment to our nonprofit as we implement expert guidance in our Give to the Max Day and year-round fundraising strategies.”

If you weren’t able to attend a no-cost session or need a refresher as GTMD24 approaches, here are five takeaways from this year’s no-cost coaching sessions to remember as you finetune your fundraising approach:

1. Have confidence in your campaign. Fundraising can feel daunting but every organization, no matter their size, has great stories, important missions, and passionate people doing the work. 
2. Ask for what you need. People want to help your organization, support your mission, and have the opportunity to enact their values! Your GTMD campaign gives them the opportunity to do just that. 
3. Your people need to hear from you. Fundraising is about connecting with your community and offering folks a chance to get involved. So, tighten up your story, and don’t be afraid to get it in front of people.
4. You are the expert in your work. Coaches help pull out strategies, encourage you to look at your story in a new way, and give a gut check whether you're on the right path or not. But the heart of your story and the relationship-building is all you! 
5. You’re not alone in feeling alone. Know that there are so many small organizations, particularly those with one-person fundraising teams, who feel isolated in their work. Check out our resource hub to find tools and templates designed to help amplify your fundraising. The GiveMN Green Team is here to be your backup fundraising team and our tools are created to help you work smarter, not harder!

Want more GTMD24 support? Check out our free GTMD24 resources for organizations. 

Looking to support no-cost coaching in the future?  Schedule a call with one of our team members to learn more.