5 Reasons Why Accountability Is Essential in Major-Gifts Fundraising

Lately, I've been involved in a number of situations where people are struggling with being accountable in their work and lives. Here are good people who say they want someone to hold them accountable to either their work, an action they need to take or to be better in some way — but then reject it when they are followed up on.

I know exactly how they feel. I don't like to be held accountable either. I mean, how annoying is it to have someone ask you if you've done what you said you were going to do — right? Well, over the years I've learned to embrace it because I know it helps me move forward and actually accomplish things.

Now, I fully admit that it's not easy being held accountable. I usually fail when I'm afraid of something. "Will he get mad that I didn't do what I said I was going to do?" "Will she think I'm a bad person because I did something else other than what I promised?"

Then, I kind of go into hiding to avoid either a person or situation. It's not a good place. Have you been there? It doesn't feel good. But, when I allow myself to dust off that fear and come out into the light and allow someone to walk with me, I get things done, and I do it with integrity.

As major-gifts fundraisers, you would think there is a lot of accountability in our profession. Surprisingly, there is not. I mean, you have a goal, you have a plan, and so it should be easy for someone to manage all that.

But it's not happening.

Richard and I believe that the biggest reason major-gifts programs fail is not because major-gifts officers (MGOs) didn't have the right strategy, but because they were not held accountable to sticking with their plans.