We deserve safe spaces.

I am often asked if our sector will ever be a safe space, and my answer is no.

Our sector will never stop harassment or abuse of fundraisers. Harassment by donors, harassment by board members, or harassment by volunteers. Our sector will never stop harassment by other fundraisers or self-proclaimed “gurus”. Our sector will never stop the bullying, the racism, the harassment, the inappropriate behaviours.

Our sector will never be completely safe. Let me tell you why.

Our sector, like all others, is comprised of humans. 

Fallible humans. Humans with massive egos. Humans who think they are entitled to do whatever they want, when they want it, and with whomever they want. Humans who value their own reputations over the comfort and safety of the people around them. Humans who crave attention and proximity to power so much that they will ignore the most egregious conduct.

As fundraisers, our roles are considered “boundary-spanning.” Fundraisers are in a constant state of engaging with external stakeholders on behalf of their organizations. We meet with donors, with board members, and with the general public to ensure the financial stability of their organizations. We are an extension of the charities we work for, and our success is integral to an organization’s success.

Our sector will never be completely safe because our boundary-spanning roles and ego-centric human behaviour constantly intersect. As fundraisers, we are often expected to work in vulnerable spaces, with people in positions of power, often alone. This dynamic is ripe for abuse, not only by donors, but by our leaders and peers. For decades, this dynamic has been taken advantage of by many who chose to abuse their power and influence.

One must only look to the U.K. and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising for the most recent example. The CIOF has been embroiled in scandal after scandal relating to the sexual harassment and assault of female members. The story is unfortunately a familiar one. Trustees and the executive team put preservation of reputations above focusing on the needs of the survivors. It was more important to the CIOF Trustees to absolve their former CEO of any blame in a timely manner, than to think of the well-being of those who bravely reported abuse. The inaction by the former CEO, and the current actions of the Trustees, has sewn a deep distrust of the CIOF amongst the membership. The damage may be irreparable.

When faced with a constant failure of leadership and moral courage, do we give up? Do we relinquish ourselves to this dynamic and accept it as “part of the job”? In 2021, after #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, #StopAsianHate movements, we are no closer to establishing a universally accepted Fundraiser Bill of Rights. We are no closer to a sector-wide statement declaring the fundamental rights of employees. 

Why is this?

Because giving fundraising staff – or any nonprofit staff – an established bill of rights is not in the interest of trustees, boards, or fundraising executives. Because making a statement that "no donation is worth abusive behaviour" is the right thing to do, but not the lucrative thing to do. Because risk-adverse leaders in this sector are afraid to tell donors no. Because as a sector we are more concerned about so-called reputational damage than the psychological and physical damage to our own people.

But must we accept this as the status quo? No.

Do we wait for a universally accepted Fundraiser Bill of Rights to act? No. 

Do we wait for our professional associations to step up? No.

Do we wait for policies and procedures to ensure the safety of our staff? No.

We can change the way we act now. 

We can create a culture of safety in our organizations and across the sector. We can demand better from our employers, our associations, and our sector. We can make difficult decisions and we can say we are sorry there was harm done. 

We can empower our teams to act. We can give them the tools to protect one another such as active by-stander training. We can give everyone a safe space to report. We can listen with compassion and empathy.

And we can tell those who abuse their privilege and power, you are not welcome in this community any longer.

I am here to tell you what you may or may not be hearing from leaders right now.

I am here to tell you that no one, no matter how wealthy, how privileged, how powerful, has a right to harm you. No one has the right to touch you or make sexual advances at you. No one has the right to make racial slurs at you, to mis-gender you, to diminish you, to make you feel small. No donation is worth your self-esteem, your identity, your ethics, or your mental health.

No donation, no reputation, no relationship is more important than your safety. You deserve to work in safe spaces.

To all of the Sector Warriors, I stand with you in solidarity and love.

#NDOC2022 #BelieveWomen #WeDeserveSafeSpaces