At weddings, ministers are fond of rehearsing the historical story of Jesus’ first miracle. He attends a wedding where the host runs out of wine. At the insistence of his mother, he turns six stone jars of water into wine.

The belief in miracles is a matter of personal faith and varies among individuals and spiritual traditions.

Personally, I believe it is a miracle every time someone gives away money they could have spent on themselves! Fundraising is participation in the miraculous! But participating in the miraculous requires an understanding...

Miracles Require a Lot of Work

Ancient followers of Jesus called it "the working of miracles"
You can read the story HERE
Solomon's ancient, "the truth will cost you something"

Join me with other fundraisers in my monthly Fundraising Accelerator.

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You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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Let me introduce you to my friend Jeff Slaughter. He is a missionary, fundraiser, master storyteller and more. Find Jeff at:

https://jeffslaughterwrites.com/

https://elevateeurope.com/

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
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You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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As a fundraising consultant, I’ve encountered countless nonprofits who believe they’re telling compelling stories about their work. But when I look at their websites and social media feeds, I’m often left wondering: Where are the stories?

Fundraisers think like news reporters when it comes to telling stories. But nothing could be further from the truth. You are not a news reporter, you are a nonprofit storyteller. There is a huge difference in news reporting and storytelling.

What I usually find instead are reports. Updates about events. Statistics about groups served. While this information has its place, it’s not what drives donations. It’s not what connects with donors on an emotional level. It’s not storytelling.

The Truth About Fundraising Stories

A true fundraising story isn’t about your organization or even about the collective impact you’re making.

It’s about one person.

One life.

One struggle.

One transformation.

This focus on the individual isn’t just a preference—it’s a proven principle of effective fundraising. Yet it’s one that many organizations struggle to implement consistently.

The focus on one, rule is a fundraising principle that’s proven, potent, and practically unbreakable.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
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You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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I love Africa and I adore African fundraisers. Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts to create positive change in your community is truly inspiring. You deserve to get the money you need.

There are some things you need to understand about fundraising internationally, especially with Americans.

There is sometimes a disconnect between you and your potential American supporters on social media and electronically.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
Special price $5.00

You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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Naming opportunities are a nonprofit's golden ticket to unlocking major donations. This episode reveals the power of offering naming rights to recognize supporters, plus you'll learn 7 key steps to follow to successfully implement this lucrative fundraising strategy.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
Special price $5.00

You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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Describing the need is easy compared with the hard work of finding the descriptive words that paint a picture of the need having been met.

If there is one thing I find that leaders don't understand, it is the power of vision. Most leaders think they become powerful when they can describe the need. Not so. Describing the need is easy compared to describing the world, like Pastor Wells, where that need would no longer be valid.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
Special price $5.00

You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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When we fail to recognize and celebrate “firsts,” we miss powerful opportunities to strengthen our relationships, build momentum, and create a positive, thriving culture.

• In families, celebrating firsts – from a baby’s first steps to a teenager’s first job – helps to create a strong sense of unity, pride, and mutual support. By acknowledging these milestones, we show our loved ones that we are paying attention, and that we are invested in their growth and success. This builds trust, strengthens bonds, and fosters a family culture of encouragement and celebration.
• In the business world, recognizing firsts is equally crucial. When a team member lands their first client, closes their first deal, or completes their first project, it’s a chance to boost morale, build confidence, and reinforce the behaviors and values that drive success. By celebrating these achievements, leaders demonstrate that they value their employees’ contributions and are committed to their professional development. This, in turn, fuels engagement, loyalty, and a positive company culture.
• On a societal level, marking firsts – from groundbreaking inventions to historic civil rights victories – helps to shape our collective narrative and propel us forward. These milestones remind us of our capacity for innovation, progress, and overcoming challenges. They inspire us to dream bigger, to push beyond our perceived limits, and to work towards a better future. When we neglect to celebrate these firsts, we risk losing sight of our shared accomplishments and the power of our collective potential.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
Special price $5.00

You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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Your vision and mission statements are more than just words on paper - they’re the heart and soul of your nonprofit, guiding every decision you make and every dollar you raise. Invest in getting them right, and watch your impact soar.

Need more help? Get my book, I dedicate a whole chapter, Establish Your Compelling Vision, to this.

Get David's book Visionary Fundraising at Amazon.

Get a digital copy of David's book: Visionary Fundraising today CLICK HERE
Special price $5.00

You can connect with David at www.davidoaks.net

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