We’re passionate, focused, determined to do good and–dead wrong. Huh? Charitable organizations are no different. A noble vision results in worthy actions. Worthy actions bespeak solid reputation. We’re convinced of our own rationality, our “rightness”.
And so the story goes. When was the last time we tested this “reality” with those on whom we depend for our continued existence—our donors, our investors? Do they share this view of our organization? Is our view their view? Are we really so clear in our perceptions and self awareness that we can simply replay these to our potential investors and expect them to invest in us?
Principle 1 of The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising® is Donors are the Drivers™. Nonprofit leaders will do well to remember that our investors’ mythologies are far more important to understand than simply replaying our own tapes in the hope that hearing them again will spur our investors to continue to invest.
