Fundraising is a Passion, Not a Job

Looking over my last few articles, I’ve decided I’ve been grumpy. Maybe it’s the heat and the drought in my part of the country, or maybe it’s the dread of spending the next 15 months being bombarded with political messaging. So, today I am going to take a major turn and write about what I love about fundraising.

Because, the truth is, I do love being a fundraiser. I have done this work for nearly 36 years now. During that time, I have lived in four houses in two states, worked for three nonprofit organizations, took part in innumerable conferences and webinars, taught the craft to hundreds of students, raised a lot of money for my employers and clients, gotten to know some wonderful donors—and in short, I have had a wonderful time.

What is it about fundraising that makes it such a great profession? The hours are long, the pay isn’t always the best, the results are unpredictable and disappointments aren’t unknown. But, on the other hand:

1. Many donors are passionate, and it’s an honor to help them fulfill their dreams. Some donors give out of obligation to someone or something, but others give because they are totally in love with the cause we represent. They are willing to overlook boring newsletters, never-ending events, a revolving door of staff or any of the other obstacles we toss their way. Why? Because they honestly believe in what the organization is doing. They celebrate every success, and hurt with us when a project isn’t as successful as we hoped. They tell others about our work without our prompting—or even without our knowledge. When our faith in the organization is weak, they build it back up simply by being so committed to the mission.

2. It’s a (good) challenge to keep our work fresh, even if the mission and programs don’t really change. Some organizations are constantly evolving; others are basically doing the same thing they were founded to do. Their methodologies may change, but essentially, the raison d'être is set in concrete. A good fundraiser is constantly reinventing to keep that mission alive and vibrant for the audience. He or she is seeking out the stories, even if this requires extraordinary effort. New ways to express the organization’s work are crafted at night when sleep is elusive. There are failures, but the fundraiser keeps at it, always asking, “How can I make this the most exciting fundraising case possible?” Boredom is rejected because our goal is raising funds, and that requires unending vitality.

3. Some friendships develop that go beyond the job. Later this week, I am having lunch with a friend I met first when I was a client. Many of my Facebook friends date back to my various jobs in fundraising. There are some donors that have become long-term friends, well after I am in a position to cultivate them for a gift. I am grateful for a career that has led me to passionate people who share my enthusiasm for fundraising and for life. Fundraisers are great people!