This article appeared previously in our LinkedIn Newsletter, Fundraising Culture.
We all have one. A friend or family member who is always blaming something or someone for the situation they find themselves in.
The perennial complainer and blamer.
We all have the same reaction. We try to avoid being around this person as much as possible. As much as we may like this person, their persona makes it tough to be around them.
And they may be perfectly nice people and can even be enjoyable to be around. BUT—their propensity to project the causes for any situation I which they find themselves on others grates. And grates.
At the very least it’s a REAL damper on the relationship.
Nonprofit organizations and their leaders, unfortunately, often do the very same thing.
You’ve heard it.
The reason they’re not having more impact is because,
• Others aren’t generous enough
• Others don’t appreciate the urgency of their mission
• Others aren’t working hard enough
• Others just flat out don’t “get it”
When raising independent support, projecting the causes of your situation/predicament/shortcomings onto others is a very effective way to dissuade others from supporting you as well as discouraging those who do support you from continuing to do so.
Let’s invert this.
• There are plenty of folks who are generous—and there are many who will find fulfillment in what we’re trying to accomplish
• We will almost always see our mission as the most “urgent” or “worthy”. Our investors will respect that but often support us for reasons of their own.
• Our development staff reach out to our potential investors. They’re job isn’t to convert. It is to engage.
• There are those who are generous and capable who will not find our mission something that provides them the experience they are seeking. That’s OK. We know that giving—to anything—creates more of the generous culture in which we will thrive.
Donors want to be engaged. Not enticed. Shamed. Coerced. Or made the fall-guy for your organization’s own shortcomings.
Think of this the next time you run into that person you’re trying to avoid.
Philanthropy is truly coming together in community. In that spirit, I want to make this more than a mouthpiece for my thoughts and ideas. In that vein, we’ve established The Eight Principles Fundraising Culture LinkedIn group.
The Group is open to all subscribers of Fundraising Culture. Here’s where you can wade into the discussion. Contribute. Share. Successes. Challenges. Even failures. Remember all failure is temporary.
In encourage you to join the Group and participate. Two-way conversation is so much more satisfying then just hearing myself talk!
Each issue of Fundraising Culture will be posted in LinkedIn, the LinkedIn Group, The Eight Principles website and to our entire email family.
Don’t be shy. I’ve heard from enough of you to know you have a great deal to contribute.
Keep the dialogue respectful, avoid promotional-only posts and you’re golden. This is not the place to solicit for donations, however. Those posts will be deleted.
Have a story to share? Post in the group now.
So, what’s so special about conversation? It’s the magic of synergy. 1 + 1 = 3. Truly.
Remember the facts about relationships. When you focus on creating authentic relationships. You know, the ones with two-way communication? Your fundraising revenue grows 4X to 6X. Permanently.
Allow me to show you how. Schedule a call with me and we’ll talk. It’s complimentary. There’s no obligation. In thirty minutes or less, I will give you a path to deliver that magic.
I’d love to speak with you. Grab a time now.
The best part? It doesn’t take buckets of money to achieve your goals. It’s desire and will.
To Everyone: My goal is simple. To show all who really want it the clear, proven path to abundance.
