168: How Aftersight Raised $20K in 20 Days (and Fired Up Their Board + Donors)

Episode Overview

• Kim and Penn, leaders at AfterSight, share their journey of adapting to technological changes in serving the visually impaired community.
• They discuss the evolution of their organization from traditional audio publications to a robust podcast network.
• The episode highlights AfterSight's recent successful "20K in 20 Days" fundraising campaign, driven by innovative strategies and a dedicated team.
• The hosts emphasize the importance of listening to the community and leveraging accessible tools to create impactful programs and fundraising initiatives.

Key Concepts

• Evolving Services for the Visually Impaired: AfterSight's shift from reading and recording publications to diverse podcast series, including topics like navigating life with vision loss, tech, mental health, and emergency preparedness.
• Community-Driven Program Development: The crucial role of a program advisory committee, composed of individuals with visual impairments, in identifying unmet needs and guiding the development of new services.
• Leveraging Podcasting for Advocacy and Information: How podcasts serve as an accessible and engaging platform to deliver news, information, and entertainment, as well as to address specific challenges faced by the visually impaired community.
• Innovative Fundraising Strategies: The successful implementation of a "20K in 20 Days" campaign, utilizing digital tools and leveraging the personal networks of staff and board members.
• The Importance of Accessible Fundraising Tools: The significant impact of user-friendly and accessible donation platforms like Givebutter in simplifying the giving process and boosting donor engagement.
• Building a Culture of Asking: Overcoming initial hesitations among staff and board members to actively participate in fundraising by providing clear scripts and demonstrating the effectiveness of personal appeals.
• Beyond Traditional Fundraising: Recognizing the changing landscape of philanthropy and adapting strategies to engage donors through new channels like social media and direct, personalized outreach.
• White Cane as a Symbol: Understanding the white cane not just as a mobility tool but as a powerful symbol of independence, highlighting its importance and the need for quality canes.
• The Power of Shared Experiences: The benefit of connecting with other nonprofit professionals to share challenges and successes, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Quotes

• At 01:03 - "We have Kim and Wardlow and Penn Street, the executive director and director of development for AfterSight." - The host introduces Kim and Penn from AfterSight, highlighting their leadership roles.
• At 01:45 - "The work we do, um, working with folks who are blind, low vision, deaf-blind, um, to be able to provide access to news, information, entertainment." - Kim explains AfterSight's core mission of providing accessible information to the visually impaired community.
• At 06:10 - "All that to say, I think it's really really smart and really interesting too, the way you've scaled up the podcast wing of what you do, the advocacy, the support, the emergency preparedness." - The host comments on AfterSight's innovative expansion into diverse podcast offerings.
• At 19:35 - "I think for me part of it was thinking of it as a whole. I think before it was like the part, like all these parts. Where this one it was looking at it as a whole." - Penn reflects on the shift in their fundraising approach, moving from isolated efforts to a cohesive, integrated campaign.
• At 29:59 - "Sometimes it's the first time they've ever had a brand new cane, right? Or it's definitely been years and years and years that, and I, you know, they I've had them say, 'Oh my gosh, I feel like this is my brand new Cadillac,' you know, and, and it's." - Penn shares a touching story about the profound impact of receiving a new, high-quality white cane on individuals' confidence and mobility.

Takeaways

• To effectively serve your community, continuously adapt your programs and services to meet evolving needs, especially with technological advancements.
• Actively seek feedback from your target audience to ensure your offerings remain relevant and impactful, and be open to creating new initiatives based on their insights.
• Embrace modern digital fundraising tools and strategies to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional grants and events, simplifying the giving process for donors.
• Empower your staff and board to participate in fundraising by providing clear guidance, tools, and encouragement, fostering a culture of collective responsibility.
• Leverage the power of storytelling and community engagement through platforms like podcasts to educate, advocate, and inspire support for your mission.