we’re fundraising for our neighbors

we all need help

we all deserve care

we are all equipped to be helpers

dignity means that everyone is deserving of honor and respect

We’re excited to share with you our dignity-filled philanthropy guide. In essence, we’re passionate about offering invitations for donors to build the future we want to see without compromising client dignity.

Read on to see how we’re honoring our commitments.

no client photos

We use stock photos to minimize the potential risk of harm for clients now or in the future. Clients are able to focus on healing without feeling obligated to ‘repay’ the agency with photos or testimony.

the stories aren’t ours

Clients’ stories belong to them, not spectators. While the telling of stories has immense therapeutic value in the right setting, the development team will not solicit stories for external promotion.

commitment to values

Rather than using client details to promote Cathedral Home, we instead connect donors to the potential impacts of investing in shared values like equity, access, compassion, and health.

what is development anyway?

Our Development team leads stakeholders in advocacy + action in service of youth & families.

We share Cathedral Home’s vision and work to fund programs and services that will help us reach it.

so how’d this work in 2022?

FAQs

  • ethical storytelling principles tell us that the fine line between sharing and exploiting necessitates tough decisions.

    The United Nations Guidance on Use of Victim Images instructs us to not further stigmatize, to obscure any identifiers, and never require someone to relive their greatest challenges.

  • provide an opportunity for clients to leave feedback anonymously and without prompting. Google reviews are another way to offer this option without the risk of influencing clients’ participation or freedom to share openly.

  • it’s true that we connect most easily over a shared story.

    however, we’ve found that by committing to removing client stories and identifying info like pictures, we’ve build a strong team of allies who support the mission, the vision, and the clients themselves, regardless of how we choose to share their impact.

  • most often, we use our incredible staff team to tell the story of Cathedral Home. Our supporters can connect through direct care workers’ and even other donors’ reasons for involvement.

dignified fundraising shifts the narrative from deficit to possibility

rather than the old way of saying, “Here’s this sad story, can you please help?”, we’re saying instead,

“Here’s what it will look like when we all contribute to the vision.”

watch our presentation

we’re taking this show on the road. to participate in our dignity-filled fundraising workshop, grab a pen and paper + download the worksheets, and press play.

brand because

we build a brand to establish trust. Consistent use of colors, fonts, language, shapes, photos, etc. builds a positive association. Then, when a service is needed or a donation is considered, we’ve laid the groundwork for a smooth connection.

 

values for sale

we are marketing opportunities, shared values, and a shared vision of the future we all want to see.

If you believe that everyone deserves to thrive and that compassion means we’ll help each other however possible, this is the place for you.

evaluate and infuse

to best dignify our communications and fundraising strategy, we studied ethical storytelling. From there, we built tools that help us review and revise communications to promote dignity and ease of access.

desired feelings, desired actions

attract and repel is the name of the game. We may lose some donors by sticking to values over stories and pictures. But, we attract instead people who are fueled by compassion and looking for a road map to making an impact.

  • Rachel Suarez LeBeau

    ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR

    Cultivating passionate support of youth and families through strategic communications, advocacy initiatives, and fund development that influence the system of care.

  • Teresa Arens

    PHILANTHROPY COORDINATOR

    Leading informative outreach that guides significant and thoughtful impact from individuals, corporations, and foundations to enrich the well-being of youth and families.