Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to introduce the turkeys of nonprofit development. These are ideas frequently held by small organizations about raising money that could be considered “bird-brained.”
When I started helping nonprofits with their development work, I was surprised at how many on the Board and the staff became uncomfortable when “the ask” was mentioned.
I understood the frustration but needed to know more about the source of their angst. When I inquired about why the subject of fundraising was viewed as a negative, these same three reasons appeared:
- Profit was seen as contrary to being a nonprofit
- Making money was viewed as a shameful act
- Money reflected everything that is wrong with society
I understood the angst, but these reasons were turkeys: ideas incongruous with the mission of the organization. Here are 3 non-turkey interpretations of these 3 concerns:
- Money is not contrary to an organization’s mission, rather it is the lifeblood that supports programs, and public engagement activities and helps to communicate the nonprofit’s important mission. Money is needed for the success of an organization.
- Making money is neither good nor bad, how it is used should be the focus. What is shameful is not allowing an organization’s mission to thrive and create good in the world.
- Money is not reflective of everything that is wrong with society. Yes, greed and financial inequality exist in society, but these issues are distractions in the larger conversation. Rather, focus on how the organization views money. See money as potential energy. Then ask, how can this energy be harnessed?
One final thought: we have all heard that donations do not grow on trees. True. Donations are not easy to come by, donors must understand (with an emotional connection) and realize that your organization’s work has meaning – to think otherwise would be a turkey. Happy Thanksgiving