The Purposeful Donor and the Cheerful Donor
In our recent blog posts, we covered The Enneagram personality test, a personality test based on nine personality types. Following the points of a nine-sided star polygon, it is also a great tool for finding out about your potential donor personalities.
Knowing which personality traits your donors have will help you grow them on their donor journey. It will also guide your church leaders and pastors in knowing how to minister to them. You will be able to gauge what makes them want to donate and when. This is essential for being a successful leader and raising adequate funding for church projects.
Let’s dive deeper into two of the donor personality traits: Types One and Nine. Or, as they are more commonly known, the Purposeful Donor and the Cheerful Donor.
Type One: The Purposeful Donor
These strong personalities are principled and purposeful. They live to make the world a better place and want to leave this earth with a positive legacy. Here are some ways to recognize the Purposeful Donor:
Most Notable Traits:
- Self-controlled
- Perfectionist
- Always looks for reform
- Constantly improving their surroundings
- Advocates for change
- Humanitarian
- Known for always showing up
- Has integrity
- Principled
- A true leader
Example character: The great leader in the Bible, Moses, can be considered a Type One. He was always on some kind of mission, whether as prince of Egypt, a shepherd, or a leader of the Children of Israel.
How to Appeal to the Purposeful Donor
1. Be direct.
When asking for funding, don’t be vague. Tell them exactly what you need, when, and which legacy it will support.
2. Appeal to their sense of urgency.
Demonstrate an immediate need with a sense of urgency, and always update your newsletters!
3. Show adaptation.
Digital giving platforms and easy fundraising options are your best friends.
4. Create space for feedback.
Hire a social network manager to communicate with your Purposeful Donors.
5. Encourage their personal legacy.
Include them in your sponsor appreciation program and always show your gratitude.
Want to find out what more you can do for your donors? Simply contact us to find out where you are with your church growth, and how to go even further this year. Then, check out our blog and pastor resources for necessary tips and suggestions.
Type Nine: The Cheerful Donor
Type Nine personalities are known for their receptivity and reassuring personality. They are often at the center of social circles. Here is more on this supportive type:
Most Notable Traits:
- Natural givers
- Often concerned with the greater needs of the world around them
- Love creating peaceful environments
- Prioritize beauty and comfort
- Invest in solid relationships and connections
- Giving in any way possible, to anyone in need
- A wonderful friend
- A listening ear
- Contented
- Know for sharing their abundance
Example character: Jon Bon Jovi, performing artist and founder of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. To date, Bon Jovi has supported over 30 charities around the world.
How to Appeal to the Cheerful Donor
1. Make them feel seen and appreciated.
Convey to their friends and family how their giving has furthered the missions.
2. Acknowledge their love of beauty, and their influence.
When inspired, the Cheerful Donor will use their influence to keep being beacons of hope and light in the world.
3. Help them stay balanced.
Because they tend to give to their hurt, teach them to balance between giving and receiving.
4. Train them to connect with the right social circles.
People who can help them stay grounded spiritually will be good influences on the Cheerful Donor.
5. Give them a strong sense of community in the church.
Knowing that they have the church to lean on gives them peace of mind.
6. Strengthen their inner stability.
Constantly assure these types of donors that their voice and presence matter to God, and teach them to honor their gifts through contributions in any form—whether monetary or giving of their time and attention.
How DonorWerx Can Help
Remember, no matter what donor types are in your congregation, your executive pastors and leaders must treat all as individuals. To assist your church leaders in fundraising, we at DonorWerx have created online courses, plans, and outlines for your donor journeys.
Our extensive digital library was created specifically for churches. Schedule a Discovery Call with us at DonorWerx today and improve your church’s ability to grow members and donors.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
