Every person has the same needs deep down—to feel loved and significant. As you get to know your donors’ stories, learn to see beyond their income and into their lives.
One example of this is my friend Morton. A nonprofit leader first introduced me to Morton, hoping that he would make a gift to that leader’s organization. But when I talked with Morton, I quickly moved beyond his high-figure income and saw a lonely man who had been married five times and was currently estranged from all his kids. As we talked, I realized that his biggest needs were friendship and help in working out the issues of his estate. He wasn’t close to his kids and didn’t want to leave any part of the estate to them. I befriended Morton, and as we continued to meet, I encouraged him to include his children. Eventually Morton agreed with me and included them in his will, but because of our friendship, he also ended up passing on the bulk of his multi-million-dollar estate to charity.
With Morton, my connecting with him in his moment of pain was more important than any gift he gave. Because I was able to help him with his need, we connected on a deep level.
There are many like Morton, people who have big needs. Don’t assume they have it all together just because they have money. Dig deep enough to uncover where the hurt is, and be there to serve them.
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