This episode is sponsored by:
In this episode of the Lead with Heart podcast, I have Kel Haney, a former theater director turned fundraising expert, on the show. Kel shares her journey from theater to fundraising, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building over transactional encounters.
She discusses the power of vulnerability and storytelling in connecting with donors and highlights the need for everyone in an organization to engage in fundraising.
The conversation also explores the significance of understanding personal motivations, creating a positive donor experience, and fostering an engaged community — especially in organizations with experiential elements.
In this episode:
- [00:12] Kel Haney shares her journey from theater directing to fundraising
- [04:27] Shifting from transactional fundraising to relationship-building
- [06:35] Coaching others to lead with vulnerability and storytelling
- [08:45] Understanding money mindset and finding personal connections in fundraising conversations
- [10:56] The trend of avoiding direct 1:1 asks and the importance of empowering organizations to have vocal, personal conversations
- [13:25] Training everyone in an organization to be ambassadors and fundraisers
- [16:06] The significance of membership and subscriber bases in organizations with an experiential element
- [25:07] Reflecting donor’s thoughts and making the ask feel like an offering
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“It’s about being vulnerable first and foremost, leading from a place that’s very personal and specific.” -Kel Haney
“I don’t like to have surface conversations; I want to have conversations where we’re going deep.” -Kel Haney
“If this conversation is truly evolving from a place that is specific, authentic, vulnerable, knowledgeable, that’s what matters, and the money always follows.” -Kel Haney
“At the end of the day, we cannot control whether or not someone says yes or no. But we can control them learning more about the organization by how we’re engaging with them. And that’s what I care about.” -Kel Haney
RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate your fundraising efforts.
Are you ready to become an emotional connection master?
The EmC Masterclass developed by Dr. Lola Gershfeld is for everyone looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills to raise more revenue for their mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations like ICF HRCI, and SHRM. Use the code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a generous 10% discount.
Imagine a fundraising partner that not only helps you raise more money but also supports you in retaining your donors. A partner that helps you raise funds both online AND on-location. Donorbox is a comprehensive suite of tools, services, and resources that gives fundraisers, just like you, a custom solution to tackle your unique challenges. Helping you…help others. Visit donorbox.org to learn more.
CONNECT WITH KEL
Kel Haney is a fundraising expert with over 20 years of experience in the performing arts and nonprofit sector. As a former theater director who raised $6 million for the Manhattan Theatre Club, Kel now teaches nonprofit professionals to cultivate donors through intentional relationship-building. She helps organizations strengthen engagement and loyalty by reframing fundraising as community-focused conversations that invite supporters into the mission through empathy, understanding, and personalized outreach.
LinkedIn: Kel Haney
Instagram: @KelHaney
Website: kelhaney.com
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
This episode is sponsored by Donorbox
As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more.
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