Every Donor Is Important and Every Gift Can Be Transformational

Fundraising — for better or worse — is a numbers game. And an overwhelming majority of the time, large gifts in a campaign make or break your success. They are essential.

But I still find every gift, every donor and every encounter special. Even inspiring. No matter how large or small.

I will never forget the experience. I was a college student interning in a congressional office in Washington, D.C.. It was an exciting time, and just being around power — even at the lowest level — could be addictive and exhilarating.

One Sunday, I was attending a beautiful, Gothic church near Capitol Hill. It was nearly empty — or it seemed because there were only a few dozen people in a church that must have held 1,000 or more. I was asked to help take up the collection. And I agreed.

As I made my way toward the back of the church, pew by pew, I had passed everyone — except a homeless man in the back pew. I passed by, really not wanting to embarrass him. I was brought nearly to tears when I heard a shuffling of feet. I turned back and saw the homeless man walk toward me. He stopped, smiled and dropped some coins in the basket. Then he returned to his spot in the back pew.

I have no doubt that he was the most generous donor that day. I still recall that Sunday like it was this past week.

In the fundraising business, we meet some spectacular donors and leaders who are blessed with great resources that they want to share. Never forget that every gift is important.

Every year we are all inspired with many stories of smaller donors — even sporadic donors — making an ultimate gift to an organization in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Quiet wealth. Someone who wanted to make a difference.

That may give extra motivation or justification for us to continue to reach out to a broad base. But whether the experience will result in an exciting major gift or not, recall the gift that you provide to each donor — the joy of giving.

Our role as fundraising professionals is a very special one as we nurture and often teach philanthropy. Never forget to celebrate each donor and each gift for the impact it will have — on those you serve, on them and on you, now and for years to come.