I want to ask you to a webinar I can’t wait to do on Thursday, April 28th.
The most recent study to be published by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund is called Fundraising Bright Spots. Take it from me, that title does not do it the least little bit of justice; what the report is really about is how to transform your mindset about fundraising so that it feels good to do, turning it into a healthy part of what staff, volunteers, and board members do to advance the mission rather than some kind of awful succubus draining the joy out of making the world a different place.
The title is probably drawn from how the report was compiled. It looked at 16 small, progressive organizations with good, consistent bases of individual support and asked, “What is it that distinguishes these as a group?” What they found might be summed up in the word “integrity,” but it’s more complex than just that. The authors of the report found commonalities of mindset and practice among the groups: affecting the ways they view fundraising, who is involved, and even how information flows. These elements combine into a formula of sorts—or, more accurately, a way of working that keeps these groups in a very good space in terms of fundraising from individual supporters.
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As you might be able to tell, I am a big fan. The report, which maybe should be named not only resonates with experiences I have had, but it is an accessible (read, “not financially expensive”) model. All you need is integrity—a big barrier when your organization does not have it – and a deep commitment to engaging your base of support.
So please join me, Jeanne Bell of CompassPoint, who is one of the authors, and three representatives of the groups that were studied to learn at the feet of those who have mastered this formula. It’s a must-attend for any nonprofit, no matter the size.