Everyone is responsible for fundraising in your organization

Who is responsible for fundraising in your organization?

If you've just replied the Director of Production or even the CEO, you're dead wrong.

Everyone is responsible for fundraising in your organization.

From a member of the board to the latest volunteer, each has to care enough about the cause and fundraise. That means, recruiting a top-class development director is not enough to be good at Nonprofit fundraising. It includes the development of an entity with a philanthropy culture.

Each and every member of your organization should see fundraising as part of what they are doing–and not view it with abstract frustration.

"Fundraising isn't something that I like to do. I just don't like to ask people. And the problem in this community is that this is a very involved community of people and you just get to the point where you feel, I can no longer ask my friends."

The quote above is a succinct summary of the underlying problem. Even Members of the board do not feel comfortable in fundraising. Applying for funds is looked down on, with most of the organization happy to hand over responsibility to the director of development. The immediate impact on one person is the piling expectations–which he might be struggling to handle.

The long-term effect is the possibility of creating an organization that doesn't see fundraising as crucial to helping the cause. Yeah, doing fieldwork is all very well (and essential). But being willing to talk to prospects and raise support for your cause is equally important.

Nonprofit Fundraising to support the cause

Solution for fundraising

Again, we are facing a situation that cannot be fixed instantly. One part of the solution is to make your staff aware of the importance of nonprofits fundraising - how crucial it is and why it is always their problem. It is essential to make them understand that it is fully acceptable to ask for funds. Yes, it's a delicate issue but it's not an embarrassment.

So, the more you're enthusiastic about the cause, the more important it's going out there and getting the funds for it.

Another part of the solution is to just get the right people for the job. Define acceptable behavior and set guidelines for all organizations. It should clearly reflect your team's expectations regarding fundraising efforts.

Related Topic: How to choose which charity to support
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