Before we get down to it, if you are in Austin, and interested in being a more effective fundraiser, we still have a couple of spots left in my Lean Fundraising workshop at the Center for Nonprofits tomorrow. Get on it!
This post is 3 posts for the price of one!
So, I’m going to speak it out loud, this is the dirty little secret of our profession, as development staff, as fundraisers.
If your boss does not understand fundraising, give them a 2 minute explanation of how fundraising works. Show them that they’ll get the best bang
I would make the case by saying, “We are speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Ask them if you would ask a baby to speak up for itself if it was being abused by parents. Ask if you would tell a person who was mentally handicapped to speak up for themselves. If it’s cruelty that you oppose and dignity that you promote, show how these values are universal. The more you get in front of people and teach them about the beauty of being a pet owner, and the sadness of an abused pet, the more money you will get. It’s all about asking, all the time.
Dear Mazarine,
Raising and managing millions annually through grants, but most of it is restricted to specific projects and we do want to increase our unrestricted/general operating funds (doesn’t everyone?) What would you suggest?”
This last week, Katya Anderson wrote about the numbing of our compassion when we have heard lots of statistics and lots of stories. I was