Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

January 22nd, 2010 by Donor By Design Team

Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

By Mike Bussey

In reflecting back over the trials and triumphs of 2009, it’s been interesting and helpful to discern what we’ve learned as we’ve worked to generate philanthropic support in one of the worst economic environments in modern history. One thing that consistently comes to mind for me is the critical importance of continuing to initiate new and to strengthen existing relationships with our organization’s members, participants and donors.

The economic stress of the past year created a dramatically new environment in which organizations have been called on to provide financial assistance for people who in the past have not only fully paid their membership and program fees, but have also been generous donors to the organization. This past year has also created opportunities for those who have been fortunate enough to maintained financial strength and stability to respond at even higher levels to requests for contributions in order to fully fund the organization’s critically important mission.

Just as location, location and location have historically been the top three qualities that have defined the value of real estate, the economic stress of the past year have shown that quality of relationships, relationships and relationships have defined the response to our financial development initiatives and the related strength of mission-driven programs. As we head into a new year, may the challenges of the past year be a reminder of the importance that great relationship building plays in determining the depth and quality of our mission and of level of our philanthropic support.