Fundraiser Education

While the economy is not quite as rocky as it was back in 2009, turbulent times are certainly not a thing of the past. That's what makes the advice doled out in the session "Fundraising in Turbulent Times" at the DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2009 New York Nonprofit Conference still so relevant today.

Over the past century, almost all the compelling examples of philanthropic impact involve multiple grant makers, nonprofits and other organizations working together toward common goals. Think of the campaign against tuberculosis a century ago involving foundations, nonprofits and insurance companies. Or think of the work by so many on gay rights in recent decades.

Big progress against tough challenges requires a lot of effective organizations working together.

My first Google Hangout happened last month courtesy of Marc Pitman, founder of FundraisingCoach.com and a member of the FS Editorial Advisory Board. He was gathering some of his fellow contributors to “The Essential Fundraising Handbook for Small Nonprofits” and invited me to join them for a conversation. (Check it out at here.)

There’s a reason we named our conference Engage. It’s because, of course, engagement rests at the very core of fundraising: engagement with donors, engagement among peers and even heartfelt engagement at the deepest level with your chosen profession. Without it, it’s all just talk. And the world has enough talk. The world needs action, which comes from engagement. And that is where you shine. So shine on, and stay engaged.

In the not-for-profit world, it is never about medals. In fact, you live so that others receive glory. The volunteers, prospects, donors, staff and others engage with you on an ongoing basis. You continually seek ways to motivate, inspire and recognize these individuals on both a short- and long-term time period.

At the DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2014 Washington Nonprofit Conference two weeks ago, Chuck Longfield, Blackbaud's chief scientist and past recipient of DMANF's Max L. Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award, asked a very simple question: "Are you reaching your fundraising potential?"

An executive coaching client recently asked me about my favorite two or three leadership books. Here are the first five that came to mind. Not surprisingly, each one is within easy reach of my desk. And I find myself thinking about their concepts or quoting them practically every week: "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini, "Coaching for Performance" by John Whitmore, "First, Break All the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham, "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie and "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

Ted Hart speaks with fundraising consultant Gail Perry, author of the Fired-Up Fundraising blog, about new rules for fundraising in changing times on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

When we asked two-time bobsleigh Olympian and silver medalist Helen Upperton to fundraise for MSF Canada, we offered her the support and guidance of our fundraising and communications teams. Well, Helen is a veteran fundraiser. A master, as are most amateur athletes in this country. They have to be. Today, she’s retired from bobsleigh and broadcasting from Sochi. How did she achieve all she’s achieved in the last decade? Training, talent and donors — and knowing how to ask. She’s so good at asking I started writing down some of our conversations.

The past half-decade has seen turbulent times for both the U.S. economy and the nonprofit fundraising sector. At the DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2009 New York Nonprofit Conference, three fundraising professionals shared quick tips for nonprofits on how to survive and thrive in turbulent times.