The Aha Moment

Welcome to the premier issue of Fundraising Culture. I'll be focusing on how your organization’s fundraising culture is THE determinant variable in your fundraising outcomes.?

We’ll examine the ideas, methods and strategies that create transformative fundraising outcomes for both a nonprofit cause and the investors who invest in it.

I’m asked some variation of the following question more times than I can recount:?“What is the single most important thing I can do to improve my fundraising?”?

It usually comes from a slightly overwhelmed fundraiser, a frustrated nonprofit executive, or a genuinely clueless board member.

All are in search of an answer.?But what is the question?

Is it “I’m facing a deadline and need $XX.XX tomorrow where can I get it?”

Is it “I’m really, really tired of slogging through another gala, is there anything else I can do—right now?”

Is it, “I know I need new fundraising technology but what do I buy to really deliver--tomorrow?”

I could go on, but you get the drift.?In each case the questioner is seeking a method, process or tool that will “fix” their fundraising.?I’m sorry to disappoint but there are no viable answers to these questions.?That is unless you include robbing a bank to answer the second question.

Fundraising methods and tools are both servants to a far more powerful influence on fundraising.?Your organization’s fundraising culture.?Nothing has the power to drive fundraising—for good or ill—as the way in which fundraising is viewed, acted upon, and incorporated into the life of a nonprofit.

In the coming weeks, we'll be focused on all things fundamentally cultural in an organization’s fundraising.?We’ll look at why, what, and how.?We’ll look at the good, the bad and ugly.

I want to hear from you. Share your experiences--good or bad. We'll change the names from time to time to protect the guilty!

Bottom line, we’ll explore what it takes to tap into the incredible abundance of resources which are waiting for the nonprofit cause or passion whose leadership understands that fundraising culture is everything—or nothing.

When you truly understand that culture always trumps, that’s when I say you've had your “Aha Moment.”

To Your Fundraising Success,

Larry C Johnson

Founder, The Eight Principles