Here’s the message of today’s post:
Think BIG. Think LONG TERM.
Are you changing the world (or your corner of it, at least) by fulfilling your mission?
How are you making sure your organization is GROWING? Well, you can’t grow effectively when your own donors are limiting your growth. It infuriates me…
- I’m tired of nonprofits cutting development positions and not providing training for staff and board members. It is short-sighted and detrimental to long-term fundraising efforts.
- I’m tired of foundations that only fund programs, providing funding that is so restrictive that the charities that they claim to be helping end up bending over backwards to fit the mold the foundation has set.
- I’m tired of donors who only want to give in ways that won’t really help your organization. A common example is when a donor wants to start a new program when you can’t even support your existing ones.
As fundraisers, it’s time we move beyond these limitations. But how can we do that?
Say it With Me — Think BIG. Think LONG TERM.
Thinking bigger and thinking longer term takes guts. You have to be able to stick to your guns.
So, today I’m asking you to stand up and start educating your funders and your bosses about supporting what you really need — particularly development efforts so you can fulfill your mission.
My life’s work is to help you achieve your life’s work:
- to heal the sick
- to prevent hunger
- to end child abuse
- to preserve the environment
- to empower women
- to improve the lives of minority groups
- to provide and enhance educational opportunities
- and so much more
I do this by helping organizations raise more money and therefore come closer to fulfilling their mission.
Without adequate resources, you won’t be able to achieve your mission. It’s that simple.
It’s Time to Take a Stand
The message here is loud and clear. I’m asking you to join me in encouraging people to save the world by providing the resources to you and your fellow fundraisers’ organizations that really make a difference.
Stand up and be honest with donors by telling them what you really need. And one of the most critical things you need is funding for development staffing and training. That’s how you grow.
Have you heard the expression, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?” Well, you have my permission to look all the way down his throat. In other words…
Don’t accept gifts that don’t help further your mission and your goals.
It’s up to you — not your donors — to decide what you need.
If your charity is to survive and thrive in these challenging economic times, you’ll need to invest more in development, not less. Funders and bosses need to be educated about the importance of capacity building in terms of training and investment. It’s the best way to grow and serve your community better.
Together, you and others in the nonprofit community must stand up and ask donors (foundation funders and individuals) to help where help is really needed.
Be Bold and Be Clear
Donors should think of themselves more as problem solvers and less as funders. How can they help you solve the problems and issues your nonprofit was created to solve? It’s your job to connect them to your mission and help them understand what sort of funding you really need to thrive.
Be bold. Remind them that you can’t do your job without the proper resources, training and investment.
Invite them to be the heroes of your organization by investing in building your capacity to do more good and truly carry out your mission.
Have you ever turned down a gift that you couldn’t use? Have you ever convinced a funder to change the restriction on her gift based on what you really needed? Share your story in the comments and inspire your fellow fundraisers.
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