The differences between bad and good fundraising

Bad Fundraising	Good Fundraising
A form of marketing.	A form of relationship.
Something you do to donors.	Something you do with them.
Organizations focus on their mission (as they should), but it has no connection with their donors -- in fact, the mission-focused people are often hostile to donors, seeing them as a problem, something they'd be better off without. As a result, fundraising becomes an external discipline, a set of practices they adapt out of necessity, like an ugly old coat that doesn't quite fit.	Mission matters, and so do donors. They work to make their programs understandable and motivating to non-experts. Fundraising becomes an integral part of who they are, and everyone is responsible to make it happen
Organizations get caught up in a "gimmicks arms race." Since they don't share real information with donors, they struggle to get their attention with things unrelated to their missions. Other bad fundraisers are also doing this, so the gimmicks that work eventually become boring and stop working.	Organizations' main struggle: How to share so much richness of information without being overwhelming?
Fundraising impacts have to re-acquire donors over and over again.	Fundraising impacts promote an ongoing relationship that deepens at each donor's speed and level of interest.
In bad fundraising, relationships are incidental, beside the point, often avoided.	In good fundraising, relationship isn't everything, it's the only thing.

Technorati Tag: fundraising

Comments

[Jeremy Gregg]

You all have one of the best blogs in the business. Thanks for the work that you do!

Jeremy Gregg, Editor
The Raiser's Razor
http://theraiser.blogspot.com/

[Arlene Spencer]

Jeff,
Excellent chart! On the left side the organization's development team are detached, out of touch, spinning their wheels, and distracted. On the right side, the development folks are focused, organized, excited about the connections, and growing community. I will be suggesting your chart to a few folks!

Thank you for your involvement!
Arlene

[Fundraising Ideas]

Hi Arlene,The chart is really helpful.Thanks for the good work.Fundraising usually depends on the dedication of the group to the project.Usually it will be easier to assemble the group for the tasks involved if they are enthusiastic about the project.cheers.

[Alexa Gröner]

Hi Jeff,
as a german fundraising-starter I learn so much about fundrasing from your excellent blog.
I translated the "good and bad fundraising" chart for my blog, because we have a big problem with unicef in germany and everybody discuses about serious and nonserious fundraising. In germany there is a lot to learn about strategic and professional fundraising...
So, thank you very much for your blog!
Alexa