The non-profit world

The non-profit world, by its nature, is very generous with its support of other non-profits. Colleagues hardly ever turn away anyone from another non-profit wanting to discuss their fund-raising challenges and problems—or simply to engage in dialogue regarding fund-raising principles and concepts. The profession, as I know it, is made up of people who are happy to share their expertise with others from competing charities.

Sharing between non-profits is a good thing to do, and it happens quite often. They collaborate with another organization when the opportunity is there to obtain more money from a foundation with a partnership proposal. They share facility space with fellow nonprofits, share equipment, share program information, partner in advocacy activities, exchange brochures and other materials and, most of all, give encouragement.

Be generous, care and share, but never, ever give up your donors’ names and addresses to outside organizations. Your responsibility—first and foremost—is to see to it that your own organization does its best to raise as much money as it needs in order to serve those counting on you for your programs and services. And you do this by having your donors and prospects appropriately handled and nurtured for as much good as they can possibly do for you. Thus, you do not scatter their names to the winds.