My Big Mistakes — And What I Learned From Them

Dealing with donors

One of the biggest foundations in the U.K. is run by a woman whom I had gotten to know quite well because she had come to several of my events. She is a very, very wealthy woman — probably worth the entire gross domestic product of several countries — and she had always been very friendly and courteous to me. One day she phoned me and asked why I had been complaining about her behind her back. She was right. I had talked to a funder I had known for many years, and it got back to her. Not a good idea.

What I learned: You might have a chance to influence funders if you challenge them directly. You are not likely to get a good result from grumbling behind their backs and gossiping. The world of big funders is a small one, and they talk to each other. I apologized and tried to explain that it was difficult to challenge those with power. Weak excuse! However, she had the good grace to suggest going for a cup of coffee with me. I am not sure I deserved even a cup of coffee.

So there you have it. Through it all, the biggest thing I have learned is, as my old dad says, "If you don't make mistakes, you don't make!" FS

This piece originally appeared on the Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration website.

Lyndall Stein is an international fundraising and communications consultant.