Is it Ying or Yang?

Which comes first, the need for the charitable gift or the gift itself?  The proverbial conundrum.

The conventional wisdom says that worthy nonprofits need funds to deliver on worthy missions, therefore they must reach out to potential supporters to secure those funds.

How about this instead:

Philanthropists moved by the desire to make the world a better place seek out opportunities to realize that change, guided by their own values and visions. 

When they find something that’s close, they make a gift.  When they find the authentic relationship they’re seeking, they invest their wealth and their lives.

Better that your charitable organization is in the business of realizing the dreams of philanthropists rather than seeking “funding” for your programs.

How about reading the previous sentence just once more.

When you make it about the relationship and not the money, those whose lives you seek to better and those who want to be your partner will both be the better for it.

1 + 1 = 3.   Literally.

The conventional wisdom is never the most effective approach.

Principle 1 of The Eight Principles™ is Donors are the Drivers™.  It really is about them, and not you.