The Dark Side of Fundraising

Yes, Virginia, there is a Dark Side of Fundraising.

It's when your stomach clutches, and your mouth gets dry — when you get ready to ask and feel clammy. It's when it doesn't feel right. You feel like you are being presumptuous and pushy.

Why does the dark side come upon us? It's because we are making it all about the money.

When you make fundraising all about money, you demean your work. You lower yourself into the mud and muck. You lose all the power and blazing light of your worthy cause, which is really a lovely activity — helping the world become a better place.

Now let's look at the other side: the Magnificent Side of Fundraising.

This is when you approach the entire experience from a place of joy and abundance. It's when you are shining with the white light of helping others, from a completely selfless place.

You've undoubtedly seen great fundraisers who could electrify donors with excitement. They were standing strongly on the high ground of caring for their fellow men and women. They were talking about their visions of a new, different, better world.

There is nothing more noble than working to help others. There's nothing more noble than seeking resources to help others.

It's funny because in one single activity, you can either live down in the muckety-muck or be high up on the mountain in a blaze of glory.

It's all in your head.

How are you going to approach fundraising? From the Magnificent Side or from the Dark Side?

It's your own choice.

Find out more: "Fundraising's Not About Money (Shocker!)"