Today’s the last day of sharing the stories behind my fundraising posts that got the most reactions on social media.
Here’s #7, #6, #5, #4, #3 and #2.
And #1 is…
The ability to do fundraising as a career is a gift.
I was gratified to see that this was the most liked tweet in my “51 fundraising lessons on my 51st birthday” thread.
Because if you’re like me, sometimes you find fundraising infuriating. It’s emotionally hard work, there are more tactics to know than ever before, sometimes organizational stakeholders have no idea what they are talking about but are still given equal voice, etc.
There’s a lot of complaining in the world of fundraising. Some of it certainly from me.
And yet! At some level I think most of us know how rewarding our work is.
Fundraisers get to help organizations do the work they were founded to do. Fundraisers get to help donors do good and powerful things.
All of us reading this blog could be in the “sales” business – chasing attention and profit. We could be in the “news” business – chasing attention and profit.
Instead, we’re in the Fundraising business. We’re certainly still chasing attention, but there’s a purpose behind our work that’s deeper and more valuable than pure profit.
This holiday season, I hope you’re thankful for your job in fundraising. I hope you’re thankful for the role you play in the life of your organization, your beneficiaries, and your donors.
In this season of giving, we remember that it’s a gift to do fundraising – we thank you for being a Fundraiser!
Perfect timing for your email and a great reminder. When starting the day with a nastygram from a donor, this was the bright spot of the morning!
Thanks, Laurie! I’m sorry about the nastygram, but you and I both know that the nastygram says more about the donor than it says about you or the fundraising you’ve created. I hope your year-end fundraising was a success!
Thank you for being there and generously sharing your knowledge. My role as a fundraiser is so much easier now, and I’m not quite so alone in the process. And it’s helpful to share a tactics when asked by someone, “Why are you…?”
Thanks, Margaret! We’re honored to be your companions on this fundraising journey!