The Fundraising Masterminds Podcast: Episode 67 Summary
Title: How To Host a Successful Vision Dinner in a Rural Community
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Host/Authors: Jim Dempsey and Jason Galicinski

Introduction: Challenging the Scarcity Mindset

In Episode 67 of The Fundraising Masterminds Podcast, hosts Jim Dempsey (Speaker A) and Jason Galicinski (Speaker B) delve into the intricacies of organizing successful Vision Dinners within rural communities. The episode primarily challenges the prevailing scarcity mindset that many nonprofit leaders in smaller towns adopt, believing that strategies effective in big cities are unattainable in less populated areas.

Jim opens the discussion by highlighting common objections faced by rural nonprofits when attempting to host Vision Dinners:

1. No Suitable Venue
   Speaker A (00:00): “…three common objections is, number one, there's no good venue.”
2. Lack of Volunteers
   Speaker A (00:00): “…number two, they don't have any volunteers…”
3. Difficulty in Attracting Attendees
   Speaker A (00:00): “…number three, they say, I can't find anyone to come.”

Both hosts argue that these objections stem from a scarcity mindset rather than actual limitations, encouraging listeners to adopt an abundance mindset instead.

Success Stories: Proving the Model in Small Towns

Jim and Jason share compelling success stories that demonstrate the viability of Vision Dinners in rural settings, effectively debunking the myth that such events are exclusive to large urban areas.

Orangeburg, South Carolina: Speaker B (04:10): Jason recounts organizing a Vision Dinner for Child Evangelism Fellowship in Orangeburg, a town with a population of 13,000. Despite initial concerns about venue availability and community engagement, the event exceeded expectations:

• First Year: Raised approximately $150,000.
• Second Year: Surpassed $200,000.

Notable Quote (06:25):
Speaker B: “We raised more than $150... in the second year dinner, we were over $200,000 that had been raised in that little city…”

Grover Beach, California: Jim discusses a similar initiative in Grover Beach, a small Southern California town with a population of 12,618. Despite lacking traditional venues, the organization successfully hosted a Vision Dinner in a renovated barn, raising over $150,000—a significant increase from their previous annual fundraising of $5,000.

Notable Quote (07:22):
Speaker A: “They raised over $150,000 right after. It blew their minds. It blew their mind out of the water.”

Overcoming Common Objections

The hosts methodically address the three primary objections rural nonprofits often present:

1. No Good Venue:

   • Speaker A (12:10): Emphasizes that while major hotel chains like Hyatt or Marriott may not be present, local venues such as country clubs or renovated theaters can serve as excellent settings.
   • Speaker B (13:04): Points out that even in small towns, there are dedicated venues like wedding chapels that can accommodate Vision Dinners.

2. Lack of Volunteers:

   • Speaker A (15:07): Suggests that even a handful of dedicated individuals can make a significant impact. The Flywheel effect is highlighted, where initial volunteers help recruit more.
   • Speaker B (15:45): Notes the importance of leveraging community resources, such as students needing volunteer hours, to fill roles like ushers and greeters.

3. Difficulty in Attracting Attendees:

   • Speaker A (19:19): Argues that small communities often underestimate the interest their residents have in supporting local initiatives. A well-organized event can attract a large turnout.
   • Speaker B (19:35): Shares how the Orangeburg dinner quickly became the most sought-after event in town due to its excellent execution.

Notable Quote (10:11):
Speaker B: “It is definitely a scarcity mentality. It's the woe is me. I don't have what other people have...”

The Importance of Mindset Shift

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the importance of adopting an abundance mindset. Both hosts emphasize that believing in the potential of rural communities is crucial for success.

• Speaker A (10:02): Discusses how negative thinking can create self-fulfilling prophecies where organizations fail to try, thereby ensuring failure.
• Speaker B (11:17): Highlights the contrast between "stinking thinking" and a faith-based, optimistic approach, illustrating how mindset directly impacts fundraising outcomes.

They draw parallels to biblical principles, referencing Paul's teachings on renewing one's nature to support a transformative mindset shift.

Notable Quote (27:13):
Speaker A: “Paul talks about this in the Book of Pruning Back. Yes. You know, he talks about, you know, putting off your old nature to put on the new nature.”

Comprehensive Support through Mentorship Programs

Jim and Jason outline the comprehensive support systems their mentorship program offers to ensure the success of Vision Dinners in any setting:

1. Perfect Vision Dinner Program:

   • Step-by-step guidance tailored to both rural and urban environments.
   • Flexibility in venue selection without compromising the event's integrity.

2. Winning Strategies:

   • Win: Attract new donors through engaging Vision Dinners.
   • Keep: Cultivate relationships to retain donors.
   • Lift: Elevate donors to higher giving levels.

3. Mentorship Program Features:

   • Three-Legged Stool Approach (31:24):
     • Videos and Notebook: Comprehensive resources with 300 actionable points.
     • Weekly Group Calls: Community support and shared learning.
     • App Support: Real-time Q&A with Jim and Jason.

Notable Quote (25:09):
Speaker B: “I've got a colleague and his wife that started a wedding chapel, a wedding facility in a very rural area in Texas. And they are killing it because they are the only game in town.”

Speaker A (29:19):
“We're going to take you all the way through Christmas and all the way through the new year. It ends last week of March, and then you're going to do your vision dinner in April.”

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with an urgent call to action, encouraging nonprofit leaders to join the Perfect Vision Dinner mentorship program starting October 28th. Jim emphasizes the limited availability and the need for prompt action, especially regarding board approvals.

Notable Quote (31:24):
Speaker A: “Head over to fundraisingmasterminds.net, check out the Perfect Vision Dinner. We've only got two weeks left.”

Jim and Jason reinforce the effectiveness of their system, assuring listeners that with the right mindset and support, rural nonprofits can achieve fundraising success comparable to their urban counterparts.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset Matters: Adopting an abundance mindset is crucial for overcoming perceived limitations in rural fundraising.
• Success is Replicable: Proven strategies can be adapted to fit the unique characteristics of small communities.
• Comprehensive Support: Engaging in structured mentorship programs significantly enhances the likelihood of successful fundraising events.
• Community Potential: Small towns often harbor untapped generosity, and well-executed events can unlock substantial funding.

Listeners are encouraged to leverage the insights and support offered by the Fundraising Masterminds to transform their fundraising efforts, irrespective of their community size.

For more information or to join the Perfect Vision Dinner mentorship program, visit fundraisingmasterminds.net or scan the QR code provided in the podcast's video format.