Know Your Worth and Never Settle for Less than You Deserve

Last week in recognition of International Women’s Day, I received a flood of emails discussing gender equality. It gave me hope and encouragement to see so many efforts being made to promote equality. And it made me sad that in 2019 there are still so many issues of inequality, especially in the nonprofit sector.

My favorite email arrived from an organization called Progressive Women’s Leadership. The subject line was: Know your worth and never settle for less than you deserve. So, I’ve borrowed the subject line for the title of this post.

Your Worth as it Applies to Fundraising

I’ve posted on the subject of pay equity recently, so I’m not going to revisit that now. And while “your worth” could be interpreted as salary, it’s much more than that.

The bottom line is that you deserve to be a great fundraiser. After all, your cause is important. You’re a smart person. You work in this sector because your heart is in the right place. Therefore, it’s critical that you know your worth and never settle for less than you deserve.

Is lack of confidence impacting your ability to raise money?

One of the issues that women fundraisers face is a lack of confidence in the workplace, and when it comes to asking for money.

As a coach and consultant, I’ve heard it all. Women fundraisers (more than men) ask themselves:

• What if my donor says no?
• What if I embarrass myself?
• What if my donor gets angry or upset?

This all stems from a lack of confidence.

Confidence is Key to How You Perceive Your Worth

As women, we question our value, our worth and our competence. It couldn’t be stated more clearly than in Michelle Obama’s recent autobiography, Becoming, when she talked about questioning her “worthiness” while at Ivy League schools all the way through the White House.

So, I implore you… know your worth and never settle for less than you deserve.

Whether you’re speaking to donors, asking for a raise or speaking out at a board meeting, know that you are worthy. You are worthy of working for an important cause. You are worthy of speaking out and being listened to.

And on those days when you’re feeling unsure of yourself, know that you’re in good company. Even Michelle Obama has had her doubts.

Regularly affirm it to yourself

So pick your chin up and repeat after me:

I am important. I am smart. I am making a difference.

Walk up to your donor, your boss and your colleagues with confidence and with assuredness. You are fighting the good fight to make the world a better place — one we will be proud to hand off to our children and grandchildren.

It’s imperative you know your worth, and never settle for less than you deserve.