You know the saying, “dance like no one is watching?” To encourage your inner thoughts to throw all caution in to the wind?
Please allow me to submit a particular update to said saying, and propose a nonprofit specific phrase: “Fundraise Like an Australian Break Dancer.”
Let me explain.
During the Paris Olympics this year, Breakdancing was debuted as the newest sport that countries from across the globe could compete for a gold medal.
Think floor gymnastics + dance competition + Kangaroo LL Cool J hats + mid to late 80’s Hip Hop music = athletes.
More importantly than the fact breakdancing is an Olympic sport, is the fact that there is one competitor that rose above all other athletes at the games.
Dare I say, she has become the face of Olympic breakdancing. Her name is Rachel “Raygun” Gunn. She rocked a fascinating performance in front of a billion people. And by fascinating I mean…basically, a dance routine that shocked and horrified the globe.
And it was glorious.
Did she hop around like a kangaroo during said performance? Yes.
Did she do the “sprinkler?” Yes.
Did she look eerily similar to what happens when my dog finds something disgusting smelling in the yard and decides to roll around in it to mask his own smell? Also yes.
Did she score a literal ZERO during the competition. 100% yes.
Now, some will say that could be considered a disaster, or an embarrassment.
I tend to disagree.
At no time did anyone watching the Olympics this year say to another human being, “I’m really excited about watching breakdancing.”
Now? Everyone has searched the interwebs for breakdancing videos, not only of our hero Raygun, but of the other competitors who absolutely did mind-bending tricks that don’t seem to agree with the laws of gravity.
I promise you this sport grows because of her.
And she was welcomed by her Australian teammates at the closing ceremony with open arms, cheers and general frivolity.
Now, how does this at ALL connect to fundraising?
Your organization is in competition for the attention of donors, supporters, and potential partners with over 1.5 million others in the United States alone. At any given time, you’re vying for the eyes and ears of your community while they are distracted by work, kids activities, TikTok, and that neighbor who wears his jorts just a tad TOO short while mowing the lawn.
What I’m saying is, that your nonprofit could use a little Raygun-esque advice on how breakdancing can enhance the visibility of your mission and raise more money.
Here are 10 ways to do just that:
Master the Freeze: Just like nailing a perfect freeze move requires balance and control, effective fundraising means knowing when to pause and let your message resonate with potential donors. Don't overwhelm them with too much information—give them a moment to absorb your impact. When you’re having a coffee meeting or phone call, it’s ok to let the conversation breathe without jumping right into an uncomfortable silence.
Spin with Flair: Break dancers captivate audiences with dynamic spins and eye-catching flair. In fundraising, your unique storytelling and creative presentation can spin an ordinary pitch into an extraordinary appeal. Use visuals, personal anecdotes, and humor to keep your audience engaged. No, you don’t need to spend $10,000 on a 30 second video – but you do need to think about how your presentations feel. Practice in front of volunteers or groups and solicit feedback to make sure you’re not boring, robotic or worst of all, unenthusiastic.
Windmill Your Ideas: In break dancing, the windmill is a foundational move that connects to other impressive tricks. I learned this from the internet and in no way knew that until I “Googled” breakdance terms. However, it’s great for building a strong foundation for your fundraising campaign by connecting smaller, creative ideas that can lead to larger, more impactful strategies. Nothing ever gets done in a straight line in fundraising…and that’s ok. It's more fun to connect the dots and let your donors lead sometimes too.
Do the Sprinkler: Get that elbow up. Get that hand behind your head. Let’s water the lawn. No need to have your supporters drink from a firehose of information about your nonprofit. Rather, sprinkle in impact through stories and drip a bit of reality before you hit them with an ask. They need to know all the good you do. Also? Shower them with praise. A little bit, a lot of times, is much better to keep in the front of their mind than just one thank you note a year.
Pop and Lock Your Messaging: Just as break dancers use pop and lock techniques to emphasize rhythm, use sharp, clear messaging to highlight your mission and goals. Ensure your calls to action are direct and irresistible. Sure your personal stories can be longer, and more drawn out, but to not bore your audience (hey, Raygun sure wasn’t boring!) remember that clarity is kindness. Your supporters will appreciate you getting to the point so that they can determine whether they are aligned with you or not.
Break Out with a Crew: Successful break dancers often perform with a crew, each member contributing to the overall performance. Similarly, build a strong team around your fundraising campaign. Collaborate with volunteers, staff, and donors to create a powerful, cohesive effort. Your board members make powerful allies in the solicitation world. Lean on them to help open doors, share their passion and make asks with you. The more the merrier in the fundraising realm.
Headspin into New Avenues: A headspin requires precision and fearlessness. And lots of Advil. When fundraising, be bold in exploring new avenues and platforms, whether it's social media, virtual events, or unique partnerships. Don't be afraid to try new approaches to reach your audience. Remember, “the way we’ve always done it” is the most dangerous phrase in the English language. Almost as dangerous as “let’s let anyone compete in breakdancing at the Olympics.”
Battle for Attention: Break dancers often engage in battles to showcase their skills. In fundraising, you're competing for attention, so make sure your campaign stands out. Use creativity and innovation to "battle" for donor interest and support. Now, I believe there is enough money out there for every cause if we find those that are aligned with your mission. But to vie for the attention of some larger donors, the more creative you get the more curious those around you become. Be bold. It’s way more fun than not.
Toprock Your Way to Success: Toprocking is about setting the stage before diving into more complex moves. Again. A phrase that was as foreign to me as the knowledge that it seems I too, could have competed for an Olympic gold medal. Start your fundraising campaign with strong initial engagement—host a kick-off event or launch a compelling story that sets the tone for your campaign. Your elevator pitch, your case of support or your lead story in a speaking event is a great place to concentrate your efforts. Get folks to ask “tell me more about that…” from a great stage setting moment.
Bust Out the Worm: When all else fails – do something familiar to realign with those that know you the best. Sometimes the new things you try, don’t go according to plan, and those who have been with you the longest as supporters don’t recognize or relate. That’s ok. You get a bronze medal for trying something new. But a tied and true method of communication, traditional way of connecting, or going back to a campaign theme that has worked in the past? Is not a bad way to reset, recenter or refocus your fundraising efforts.
Listen, sometimes you are given an opportunity on a large stage.
And that’s potentially terrifying.
What if you don’t have all the information correct, or what if you forget something you think is important during a meeting with a large donor?
You might not feel as if you’re up for the task or worried that you
Well, remember our fundraising / breakdancing hero Rachel “Raygun” Gunn.
Just get out there and rock it.
What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? A billion people watch you try?
You’ve got this.
And if you don't? Or need a bit of help fundraising or choreographing your next breakdancing competition? Give me a shout!
-Patrick
952.237.0836
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