I must admit that I am a bit impatient. My patience (or lack there of) has been tested in 2014 as travel delays due to weather (think polar vortex) have been maddening. I can’t wait for spring!
I think that a healthy dose of impatience lurks in the veins of most leaders. We like action and results — yesterday. Several not-for-profit leaders I have the privilege of working with carry this angst and impatience into the major gift fundraising arena. They have dreams that need funding on schedules that are important to their strategic plans.
The problem is that their major gift prospects may not be on the same schedule. They may not be close enough to the institution to make a significant investment at this time. They may have other philanthropic interests. Frankly, other organizations may have walked closer to and built stronger relationships with these donors.
Spoiler Alert: successful major gift fundraising must be donor-centric and in tune with the prospect’s hopes and dreams.
Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to interview a husband and wife team as part of a fundraising conference. This couple has made huge investments of time, talent and treasure into their local community and organizations they love and support. I always learn from these interviews.
At the end of the session we took some questions from the audience. A young staffer stood up and asked a wonderful, honest and raw question. Basically the question was, “I appreciate what you have said about taking time to understand and invest in our top donor prospects, however, my CEO says we need to open up our new addition in 12 months… so what would your advice be to me and my situation?”
Lovingly and confidently the donor couple responded, “Remember, your timeline is not our crisis.”
Ask for money and you get advice.
Ask for advice and you get money!
Fellow leaders… take the time needed for your donors to understand, embrace and support your dreams. Your timeline may not be their crisis, but your mission may be a wonderful way for them to express their own generosity and thanks for the communities and causes they love.
