Development Staff Are the Rodney Dangerfields of the Nonprofit World

It’s not the job of the development staffer to convince program staff of the importance of fundraising. It is our job to appreciate the work of program staff, communicate regularly with them, observe them “in the trenches,” and share that knowledge with funders. By sharing drafts of development writing with program staff and soliciting their feedback, I’ve gained valuable insights — and opened their eyes to the work of a fundraiser. Respect isn’t a given. It’s earned — and it begins by showing it to others.