HA! AI Can't Compete
I found myself typing this prompt into ChatGPT the other day: “What are the top 10 questions that major givers are asking about child sponsorship programs?”
Then I paused, looked up, and chuckled. “Here’s a thought,” I mused, “how about I just ask some of my friends who make large gifts?”
Artificial Intelligence is great, but let’s talk for a moment about HA (Human Awareness). We live in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, where AI is increasingly informing decision-making (sometimes without us knowing it!). So the art of human awareness remains essential, especially in the realm of major gift fundraising. Despite the efficiency and insights provided by AI, there's an irreplaceable value in the human touch. So I’m unveiling my newest project here for you today:
ChatCEA (Creative Experienced Anthropoid)
Actually, I guess it’s not a “new” project. I suppose it's as old as the hills; a meaningful nod to the potential within each of us to connect deeply and personally with our givers and prospects. When we anchor our work in ChatCEA while skillfully supplementing it with ChatGPT the magic blossoms.
ChatCEA + ChatGPT = TLA*
Here are some proven ways to build your ChatCEA muscles:
- Pray for discernment when preparing to engage with potential givers. Are they ready to support a cause? Look beyond the data points to recognize the shared humanity, aspirations, and fears that guide us all. Prayer for discernment, seeking wisdom on who needs to hear the vision, is a foundation of ChatCEA.
- Get out the door! Networking and connecting is super important. You are seeking to genuinely understand, respect, and engage influential individuals in the cause. Underscore the essence of human connection over mere transactional interactions.
- Build a SToR Assessment (Strength of Relationship) for every person in your portfolio. Draw from your awareness of a prospect's readiness to engage with a cause, placing high value on their personal milestones, passions, and joy in giving.
- Read “A Spirituality of Fundraising” by Henri Nouwen. Come back to it regularly to be reminded of the sense of community, the shared mission you are pursuing with your givers. Reflect on your relationship with money and the mutual transformation that occurs through the fundraising process.
- Share stories with fellow major gift fundraisers. Listen to their stories. Real-life fundraising experiences are gold! They can be good and bad…successful and frustrating… Engaging in stories with each other about prioritizing personal connections over immediate financial outcomes illustrates the implementation of human awareness in your sacred work. By the way, count me in! I love hearing your stories!
Databases, Google searches, and artificial intelligence cannot replicate the depth of human awareness you have as a living breathing human. You’ve got superpowers! Listen deeply; respect every individual’s journey; connect authentically.
Let's champion the balance between leveraging technological advancements and nurturing the invaluable human connections at the heart of major gift fundraising.I appreciate all of you ChatCEAs and your amazing work.
See you next week.
* True💖Always
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If you haven't taken advantage of some of the resources I've created to help major gift fundraisers, take a look now! My goal is to provide best-in-class training and coaching at accessible price points. The return on investment is truly extraordinary. Here are the available options to energize and multiply your efforts in major gift fundraising:
* The Catalyst Course - an online course for those who are tasked with major gift fundraising. The cost is $500 and you can take it at your own pace. This is the full enchilada - everything I have learned and succeeded and failed at over the years. The reviews on this course have been outstanding. The return on investment is exponential.
* The Catalyst Course, "Bitesize" style. Don't feel like you need the whole course? It's now available in separate modules or sessions which you can engage for as little as $50. Some of my most popular teachings are on "Systems" (in the Fundamentals module) and "The Ask" (in the Sacred module).
* Live Coaching. Or as I sometimes call it, "Brain Rental". I'm not going to be modest here. When people rent my brain to talk about major gift fundraising strategies, they have a significant return on investment. It's $400 per 90m session and if you purchase 6 or more sessions up front you get a sweet discount. Let me know if you're interested.
I look forward to hearing about your good work.
Blessings,
