Repeat after me: fundraising is a very good thing

If you think fundraising is a dirty job, I want you to go right now and read Everything you know about fundraising is wrong at Inspiring Gifts that Transform.

It makes the important, but often unbelieved, point that fundraising is not some kind of assault on donors. In fact, it's far from that:

... asking for help is one of the best ways you can tell someone they are important to you. If you decide to not ask ... you’ve taken away one of their most valuable rights: their right to choose. The truth is, people only rise to the level of expectations we place them. To succeed as a fundraiser you don't need to change donors, only your belief in them.

The inspired fundraiser provides donors an opportunity to put their values into action, to become the hero of their own life story, and to make their dreams for a better world come true.

I'll just say "amen" to that.

If you don't see fundraising that way, you're missing something that will increase your joy in your job -- and your effectiveness.

Technorati Tags: philanthropy, donors

Comments

[Gayle]

Thanks for the shout out. - Gayle

[Jason]

Fundraising is about people making a difference. I think there is something amazing about being able to have something great to ask money for and then to have the community (individuals, businesses, etc.) come together and support that.

[Marc A. Pitman]

This is such an important reminder! Thanks for passing it on, Jeff.