Talisman Thinking Out Loud

Donor Relations the Walt Disney Way – Wayne Olson

April 14, 2015 at 11:05 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment

Another great fundraising class at #AFPFC was facilitated by Wayne Olson from the University of South – Donor Relations the Walt Disney Way. Wayne admits to being obsessed with all things Disney and I am glad for it. He asks, “What if Walt Disney were the CEO of your nonprofit? Or fundraising shop? You can reach Wayne: www.donorrelationsthedisneyway.com or wolson@sewanee.edu.

Here are a few of his ideas and Wayne-isms:

Olson’s Law on Giving:

A donor will always give when the emotional satisfaction of giving an asset is greater than the comfort of keeping it.

• Donor satisfaction is worthless. Donor loyalty is priceless.
• The donor may not always be right, they are always our donor.
• Always focus on positive rather than rules and regulations. What’s right and fair for the donor?
• People don’t do what they’re told to do. They do what they are rewarded for doing?
• Are we training our donors to be transactional with us or forming a relationship?

And on the Disney guest experience – translate these into your donor stewardship or cultivate opportunity:

• 4% of all amateur photosare taken at Disney parks
  • What opportunity do we give our donors to personally experience our mission and work?
• Disney didn’t build for himself, he knew what people wanted and built for them.
  • Are our recognition, stewardship and cultivation programs build for us or our donors?
• Instead of pulling all the weeds/vegetation from Disney parks landscaping-they labeled them as an education opportunity. Turn challenges into opportunities.
  • We all have “weeds” how do we label or share them with donors?
• Disney is the happiest place on earth.
  • How can our nonprofits be the best in class, happiest, most vital place in our communities and how do we share that with staff and donors?

Entry filed under: AFPFC 2015, Fundraising, Nonprofit fundraising. Tags: Donor stewardship and engagement, Wayne Olson; Fundraising; How to treat your donors; #afpfc.