Ep. 35 | The Fundraising Shift That Makes Donors Pay Attention
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
If you’ve felt frustrated lately with unengaged donors, ignored posts, or fundraising messages that seem to disappear into thin air, you are in good company. Ministry fundraising has never been more challenging than it is today—not because your mission is any less meaningful, but because the world is louder than ever.
Between digital ads, endless notifications, crowded social feeds, holiday promotions, and every organization vying for attention, donors are overwhelmed. Even the most committed supporters can start scrolling right past messages they genuinely care about.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need to shout louder.
You just need to speak smarter.
There is one storytelling element that instantly makes your fundraising messages stand out—whether you’re writing a donor appeal, sharing on social media, speaking at a church, or posting an update. This simple shift grabs attention, makes donors lean in, and gives your message the strength to rise above the noise.
What is it?
It’s the part of your story that touches something meaningful inside your donor.
The moment that makes them stop, connect, and say, “I get that. I feel that too.”
It’s the tension. The struggle. The “something isn’t right here” moment.
Not in a dramatic or manipulative way—but in a human way.
Think about your own life. When someone tells you a story with no real challenge—no tension, no struggle, no moment of “this isn’t working”—your mind checks out almost instantly. There’s nothing to hold onto. Nothing to relate to.
But when someone shares a moment that feels real?
A challenge?
A setback?
A need?
A longing?
You’re pulled right in.
This same dynamic applies to your donors. They aren’t disengaged because they don’t care. They’re disengaged because the messages they receive often skip straight to information—facts, updates, summaries—without spending any time on the part that actually creates connection.
When you begin your message with a relatable human moment, a real challenge, or a heartfelt need—your donor instantly has a reason to listen. Their heart recognizes something familiar, and your message becomes personal.
In ministry fundraising, this can look like:
• Surfacing a problem your donor already cares deeply about
• Sharing a relatable moment from your own life or leadership
• Highlighting a need in the community you serve
• Naming a challenge your donor wants to help solve
• Opening with the honest tension behind why your ministry exists
These small shifts bring your message to life. They cut through the noise because they speak to something real—something human—before you ever share the data, the update, or the invitation to give.
So the next time you write or speak to your donors, try this:
Start with a moment that matters.
A need that’s real.
A challenge they care about.
Then show them how they can be part of the solution.
This simple storytelling approach changes everything. It helps your ministry rise above the noise, strengthens donor engagement, and creates meaningful connection—all without adding more stress, more platforms, or more pressure.
And when donors feel that connection, they respond. That’s the power of story in ministry fundraising.
If you’re a woman raising support in ministry and want encouragement, community, and practical training in storytelling, join us in the free Facebook group:
Ministry Fundraising for Women Leaders → irisstorytelling.com/community
And if you want personalized help clarifying your donor messaging, you can book a 1:1 coaching session at irisstorytelling.com/coaching.
Your message matters. And when it connects, it changes everything.
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