For nearly 60 years, City Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope to thousands in Oklahoma City and beyond. Sometimes bad things happen in life, leading people to make choices that take them to a dark place. Without a good support system, people can turn to drugs, alcohol and crime, landing them on the cusp of homelessness. City Rescue Mission offers a path back to hope.
The Challenge
Top donor frustrated and embarrassed
City Rescue Mission’s top donor had consistently given large gifts for several years. In 2019, they had given a clearly stated, one-time-only stretch gift of $100,000 to match donations given during a luncheon fund-a-mission.
In 2020, when the donor was asked to repeat the gift, they said no. The problem stemmed from a misunderstanding of the project and where funds were designated. The donor was embarrassed because they had asked their friends to give to the match in 2019, but the project had not progressed even after the revenue goal was achieved. The donor also felt that City Rescue Mission always relied on them for major funding.
The Solution
Reframing the opportunity
Through RKD’s coaching, the City Rescue Mission team began to understand the core issues behind the donor’s disappointment. By reframing the opportunity, we were able to shift their story from one of desperation and reliance on one major donor to a high-impact project.
We helped the team develop a presentation outlining the plans and strategy for achieving a bigger impact, positioning the organization for the future. By being transparent and not including an ask, City Rescue Mission was able to create excitement and show the impact of this project.
Breakthrough
Winning back loyalty
City Rescue Mission was able to win back the loyalty of their biggest donor. Reframing the story and sharing the impact of their previous donation changed the donor’s perspective on the project. The next morning, the donor came back with another $100,000 donation. The key: no ask was made. The focus was just on rebuilding the relationship and opening the lines of communication.
