Engagement and involvement are critical to succesful fundraising.  As fundraisers, we must go beyond simply telling people how strong our work is, how effective the methodology is, etc.; we must show them.  Messages that are delivered by active engagement are far more credible and memorable than messages that are delivered orally or written.  People believe and remember their own experiences.  They tend not to believe or remember what they have simply been told.

Here are 50 ideas for engaging your donors and potential donors and inspiring true belief and buy-in to your mission, vision, leadership, plan and projects.

1. Invite to have a private conversation with your CEO on a matter related to your mission or organization
2. Do the above but with your head of program or a person in the field
3. Invite to listen in on a conference call where your CEO discusses a matter related to your mission or organization
4. Invite to speak at a conference or meeting
5. Invite to attend a conference or meeting
6. Invite to speak to the people your mission serves
7. Ask to host a parlor or vision meeting within their home or office
8. Ask to provide space for a vision or parlor meeting and then report back to them on the results
9. Ask to speak at a vision or parlor meeting
10. Ask to introduce the organization to others within their corporation
11. Ask to provide feedback on your case for support
12. Ask to provide feedback on your vision statement
13. Ask to provide feed back on your website
14. Ask to provide feedback on your Facebook page, blog, etc.
15. Ask to provide commentary on your strategic plan
16. Ask them to serve on your strategic planning committee
17. Ask to serve on your stewardship committee
18. Ask to serve on your campaign committee
19. Ask to serve on your board or advisory board
20. Ask to provide advice on a matter facing your organization
21. Ask to provide expertise on a matter helpful to your organization
22. Invite to a briefing in your office on a issue related to your mission
23. Ask them to interview a staff, donor or board member for your newsletter
24. Interview them for your newsletter
25. Ask them to be a guest blogger on your blog
26. Ask them to review your marketing materials
27. Invite them into the field to see a demonstration of your work
28. Invite them to take pictures of the people you serve when they are in the field- use the pictures for your marketing, send them a nice montage of the pictures too
29. Ask them to mentor a client
30. Ask them to meet a parent, student, or someone else you serve
31. Ask them to volunteer at your event
32. Ask them to review your finances
33. Ask them to take part in a panel discussion
34. Invite to a panel discussion that takes place of Google+ Hangout
35. Ask to shoot video for you
36. Ask to edit video for you
37. Ask if they will look at a screening list and make introductions to foundation officers on the list (or individuals or corporate officers)
38. Ask them to interview other effective organizations within your community for insight
39. Ask to help make a PowerPoint presentation to be delivered to another potential donor
40. Invite to attend a fundraising training with your staff
41. Invite to attend activism training with your mission staff
42. Invite to listen in on a staff meeting
43. Invite to be part of your campaign video or other video
44. Ask to provide an endorsement quote for your organization
45. Ask to start a Facebook campaign
46. Ask to participate in a crowdfunding campaign
47. Ask to call a list of donors to thank them for their gift
48. Ask to organize a “thank you-a-thon” where the whole organization calls donors to thank them
49. Ask to call a list of new donors to thank them for donating
50. Ask to help your clients find jobs, internships or other relevant experiences
51. Ask them to host a party for your clients to congratulate them on an achievement
52. Ask them to visit other potential donors that live in the area on a business trip