Ask Benevon

The Benevon Model and National Organizations

Q: We are a national organization providing technical assistance and support to other organizations implementing our model. Does your model work for organizations who do not have a service site to show donors? Thank you.

Kathryn in New Mexico

A: Yes, absolutely, Kathryn. The goal is to have people understand what the unique role your technical service and support organization provides to your members, i.e., why your work is essential to their success. Having a service site is not necessary at all for that. In fact, sometimes we find that if you were to choose to host your Point of Entry® Events, for example, in the office or program site of one of your members or grantees, it would confuse people as to your group’s distinct role. Better to have your Points of Entry in the home or office of one of your national board members or supporters, if appropriate. There is information about how to do a Point of Entry in a Box in The Point of Entry Handbook.

Having said that, be sure you aren’t overlooking what may seem to you like your own “boring office.” We find many national, policy, advocacy groups do have an office of some type. Even if it is small, it is the best place to start off having your Points of Entry as guests will pick up cues (including the cue that you need a bigger office!), and see pictures on the walls and bulletin boards and dedicated staff hard at work. Also, we find that the board members of many of our national groups tend to be clustered in certain cities or regions. Those are the best places to start off having your Point of Entry Events. Ideally, one of those locations is right in your hometown so that you can be the sparkplug to get it started there without undue travel expense.

Hope that helps get you started. Best of luck!

Getting Donors to Attend the Free Feel-Good Cultivation Event

Q: Our Multiple-Year Giving Society^™ donors don't seem to be coming to our Free Feel-Good Cultivation Events^™. What more can we do to get them there?

Judy in Washington

A: To get more guests to your Free Feel-Good Cultivation Events, consider stratifying them for donors at different levels (for example, a fancy house dinner party for the highest level, as long as you have a testimonial and Visionary Leader there). Try making the event itself more exclusive: have a special event at a private home, a special mission-related speaker they wouldn't normally get to meet, or a preview of the next phase of something before it's announced publicly. Or focus on an individual donor's interests: have different Points of Entry^® for your three different bucket areas and invite people to the one they really care about.

Also consider the way people are invited to your Free Feel-Good Cultivation Events. Have a friend who is also a donor invite them. Invitations should be personal and via phone call. Inviting people the right way to the right event will ensure better attendance at your Free Feel-Good Cultivation Events.

Filling Your Points of Entry

Q: What is the most effective way to get people to come to our Point of Entry Events^®?

Lisa in New Mexico

A: Identify the ten people who are most passionate about the work of your organization, regardless of their wealth or stature in the community. Invite them each to attend a Point of Entry. In the Follow-Up Call, tell them you are looking for people to serve as Ambassadors to invite ten more people to Points of Entry over the next few months. Tell them you would love to have them be an Ambassador because you know of their passion for your work.

Encourage them to invite their guests in person or by telephone. Make sure they tell their guests they will not be asked to give money at the Point of Entry and that they will receive one telephone Follow-Up Call after the event to get their feedback on what they saw and experienced.

This is by far the most effective way to fill your Points of Entry.