This is a short three part series on practical ways to thrive in fund development. This series will not cover self-care; however, self-care is vital. Read the series here and here.
After we fill our generosity tank and our passion tank, we next need to fill our relationship tank.
When we have been in a fundraising position for awhile, we can become so focused on our endless to-do lists and get disconnected from the “with whom” we are partnering to raise money. These are our “co-conspirators” as Kishshana Palmer puts it. These are the donors to the cause we serve.
There are three ways to re-connect with the passion the donors have for the cause:
- Ask longtime donors why they give including their favorite memory for giving, and listen to their stories. Be sure to assure them that you will not be asking them for a donation.
- Ask any donor you meet what their origin story is for why they started to give to the mission you serve.
- Create memory markers with these stories to keep in your work space. This could be a collage of stories or quotes, pictures of donors, or other tangible reminders.
Now, if you find, after you have done these things, that you are still struggling, it’s okay to bless and release yourself from making the decision for the donors and let their generosity fill your tank.