R.E.S.P.E.C.T for Nonprofit Fundraisers

This week, I happened across this article by Claire Axelrad. If you don’t already follow Claire’s blog, you should take a look.

I’ve been in the nonprofit business for more than two decades. One issue that has remained consistent through the years is the high-turnover rate for talented fundraisers. While Claire aptly points out that often money is a motivating factor, I think she hit the nail on the head when she stated her suspicions of the actual reason.

Respect

In her article Claire states, “It’s not just respect for fundraisers as individuals that’s lacking. It’s respect for their profession.” I don’t personally or professionally know Claire. We both operate out of cities clear across the country (and sometimes the world). But, I think Claire is correct in her assessment.

I’ve seen it time and time again for myself and I’ve spoken about it with my fundraising colleagues. There’s often exasperation when the magical thinking begins. An experienced fundraiser can see it a mile away.

Rainbows, Unicorns and the Bill Gates Myth

I’ve seen situations when there have been more rainbows and unicorns than actual strategic thinking and work on what it takes to be effective. There’s a thought that with the fundraiser in place, everyone else can sit back and watch the money roll in; this includes management and the board. And then there’s my favorite one, the “Bill Gates Myth”.

This is when non-fundraisers believe that simply because they have a good cause to support Bill Gates, the Gates Foundation of other wealthy philanthropists should be supporting it. When the seasoned fundraiser has not brought in Gates or someone similar, it immediately becomes the fault of the fundraiser. However, executives and the board oftentimes do not take the time to listen. They ignore what it takes to get positioned to build these sorts of relationships to then make those types of asks.

Culture of Philanthropy

Recently I read an article that stated nearly half of nonprofit organizations do not have a culture of philanthropy. Here’s the truth. It shows. Fundraisers are not the only ones who see it. Donors, especially major donors, see it as well – even if they don’t say anything. They see the revolving door of consultants and full-time professionals go through the development office.

Unless fundraisers work in large nonprofits, hospitals or institutions, generically speaking, where respect and understanding for the profession exists, many fundraisers have experienced lack of respect. Many, including me, have experienced lack of respect for the profession.

Professional Respect

Lack of respect for the profession comes in many forms. It comes when people are hearing what a fundraiser is saying when he or she tries to inform how to get from point A to point B, but no one’s listening. Time and time again, staff and consultants who are fundraisers explain (that’s our job) how to be effective. We develop strategic work plans with timelines and timetables. Oftentimes, executives and board members nod politely and when the time comes to get on with the process, those efforts are torpedoed. Things don’t get done and fundraisers are left spinning their wheels. It also comes when consultants are asked to take a percentage of what they raise. This is unethical (AFP Standard 21) and it does not take into account the time and teamwork that is required to secure gifts.

Admitting the Truth

As Claire notes in her piece, executives and board members should admit whether or not they want to support an effective fundraising program. If they prefer to maintain the status quo because a CEO does not like to fundraise or board members would rather spend their time on table seating for an event, it’s better to come to terms with it.

There’s no reason to hire qualified fundraising staff or consultants if there is no honest commitment to develop a high functioning “development operation” with support and infrastructure. All this fosters is a revolving door and it subtly sends a signal to board, staff and donors alike that high level and strategic fundraising is really not much of a priority.

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Posted: July 07, 2015

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