Have you watched the show “Cheer” on Netflix?
Like many people, I watched it back in 2020 when the pandemic first started. Recently a friend mentioned that they had just started watching it, which got me thinking about it again. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a docuseries about the cheerleading squad at Navarro College, a community college in a small Texas town, as they get ready for competition.
I was enthralled by the athleticism displayed by the athletes in their competitions, and many of the workouts were exhausting just to watch.
But one thing kept getting my attention: how much being a part of the team meant to the current and former squad members. Over and over they talked about how their time on the squad was one of the best times of their life. It isn’t uncommon for a former team member to drive hours out of their way to watch practice and talk with the coach.
The team gave them a feeling of being a part of something special.
If you’ve watched the show- or even if you haven’t- you’re probably wondering what triple tucks, pyramids, and roundoffs have to do with fundraising.
A lot.
The Navarro College team shared a feeling of belonging and were working together towards a goal. Your donors should have that same feeling for your non-profit.
They’re part of the team.
They should feel that they are making a difference by partnering with you. That they are united, standing shoulder to shoulder with other donors and the team at your organization to accomplish the good work you all care about.
So… do your donors feel like they’re part of your team? Or are they sitting in the audience just watching?
