Ep. 46 | Donors Aren’t Responding—Here’s What Your Fundraising Message Is Missing

Jan 19

Written By Guest User

Struggling to Write Your Newsletters so Supporters Engage?

You’ve seen God do amazing things- but if your emails are vague or unclear, your supporters won’t feel connected.

This free guide will show you how to:

Write subject lines that get your emails opened
Follow a simple story-driven format for every update
Engage donors with clear, Christ-centered storytelling

Download the FREE Ministry Update Guide

Donors aren’t responding.

Your emails are going out, your social posts are live, your website explains what you do—and yet… nothing. No engagement. No replies. No increase in giving. And the most frustrating part? You can’t quite tell what isn’t working or why.

This is one of the most common struggles I see with ministries. You’re doing the work. You’re faithful. You’re showing up. But somewhere between your heart and your donor, the message is getting lost.

The good news? This usually isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a messaging problem—and story is the key to fixing it.

When Donors Don’t Connect, They Don’t Stick Around

Most donors aren’t ignoring you because they don’t care. They disengage because they’re confused.

When messaging is unclear, overwhelming, or overly focused on internal ministry details, donors don’t pause to figure it out. They move on. Not because your mission doesn’t matter—but because their brains are overloaded and busy.

Clarity creates connection. And connection starts with story.

What Story Does That Information Alone Cannot

Storytelling isn’t about being dramatic or emotional for the sake of it. It’s about communicating in the way God designed the human brain to understand meaning.

Here are three reasons story transforms fundraising messaging:

1. Story Clearly Calls Out the Problem

Every strong story starts with a clear conflict.

Without a problem, there is no reason for a donor to lean in. Story opens a mental loop by naming a real, specific need—one your donor already cares about. When that need is clearly stated, the donor’s brain naturally asks: How is this going to be resolved?

That question is what keeps them engaged.

For ministries, the conflict isn’t about the donor’s personal inconvenience—it’s about a need in the world that aligns with their values, faith, and compassion. When you name that need clearly, you give donors a reason to care right now.

2. Story Keeps the Donor as the Hero

This is where many ministries unintentionally lose people.

Most fundraising messages position the ministry as the main character:

Here’s what we’re doing. Here’s our story. Here’s why we need help.

But donors don’t see themselves in that narrative.

Story works when the donor remains the hero of their own story. Your ministry isn’t the hero—it’s the guide. The donor is the one who steps in, responds to the need, and helps bring resolution.

When donors understand their role in the story, everything shifts. Giving no longer feels like helping you. It feels like fulfilling their calling.

3. Story Paints a Clear Resolution

Donors don’t just want to know there’s a problem—they want to see what happens when they say yes.

A strong fundraising story shows the outcome:

What changes?
Who is helped?
What becomes possible?

This isn’t about exaggeration or manipulation. It’s about vision. You’re helping donors picture the impact they long to make—and inviting them into it.

When donors can clearly see the resolution, giving feels purposeful instead of pressured.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Donors today are overwhelmed with information. Ministries are competing not just with other nonprofits—but with everything else demanding attention.

Story cuts through the noise because it creates clarity, meaning, and connection.

If donors aren’t responding, it doesn’t mean your mission isn’t important. It usually means your message isn’t yet clear enough for them to step into the story.