This post is for people who are worried about their fundraising work this fall because they aren’t confident that they really know what they’re doing.
To quote the writer Chuck Wendig,
“The work doesn’t need your confidence.
The work just needs the work.”
The same is true for fundraising: the fundraising you create doesn’t need your confidence. It just needs your work.
Yes, there’s lots to learn about fundraising. But always remember that your donors want to help. You are communicating to donors who are friendly to your fundraising.
So if you aren’t confident in the fundraising you create, I want you to internalize these three truths:
- Donors care about your beneficiaries.
- Donors will often give you the benefit of the doubt.
- Your donors WANT to do good. They are LOOKING for ways to give away their money to help the world become a better place.
You can raise lots of money without doing “great” fundraising. Your donors want to help!
Make your fundraising, put it in front of your donors, and pay attention to the results.
Do “the work” this year, and by December 31st you’ll have raised money and helped your beneficiaries. Your confidence is not needed, but your work is.