A Small Change- Fundraising Blog

I hope that you have enjoyed my discussions with Sarah Hoddinott, from Advanced Solutions International, and Shane Davis, from Artez Interactive, about online fundraising. I have one more thought I wanted to talk with you about. We have all heard countless stories of online fundraising success. For example a small charity supporting Africa that raises tens of thousands of dollars as a result of their online fundraising (Gulu Walk) or the celebrity that wants to make a difference and has a good idea resulting in millions of dollars (Nothing But Nets). What about your organization? Can it succeed through the use of online fundraising?

I know I don’t have celebrity support and what appeals to the community I live in doesn’t necessarily have national appeal. Does it? I can understand why someone outside of Africa might want to help fight malaria in another country or help the abandoned children in Uganda but is there national appeal to what I’m doing in Seattle or what you’re doing in Boston or Chicago? Shane had a great response:

Online fundraising is not about the location, it is about the relationship. The relationship or connection you have with that person who is involved in the campaign. Whether it be family or friend, a celebrity with a message you believe in, or someone you feel attached to due to their commitment to a cause you feel strongly about. Frequently, like with Kiva, we see people give to people they have never met, simply because they believe in them.

I realized that one of the most amazing things about online fundraising is that no longer do we have to be constricted by geography. When a donor is passionate enough about what your nonprofit is doing to ask their friends they don’t have to be located only a few miles away. If your friends live in Colorado see if they want to get involved, if they live in Israel ask them. In this new world of online fundraising we are able to “go global” in our appeal to address our local needs.

Working with nonprofits is a great environment. You are around people that are passionate about serious community needs and about what they do. Fundraising is a unique world in that it takes a lot of sales skills to succeed and your product is making a profound difference in the lives of people.

As I reflect on organizations that I have worked for I am struck with the value and significance of many volunteer leaders and donors. One thing that makes the nonprofit world great is that there are a number of talented community members that will come alongside and partner with you. I have had such a tremendous opportunity to learn from many donors and board members. It has been such a privilege to support their individual community missions.

Fundraising is about relationships. If you are thinking about starting a career in fundraising you are getting started in a really exciting time. Nonprofits today are more creative and engaging than they have ever been. Philanthropy is more accessible and the world has become a much smaller place. Another exciting thing about a career in the nonprofit world is that you can actually make and see a tangible difference. If you are good at what you do, work really hard at it, and have a good support network there are few things that you cannot accomplish.

When I first started this job I intended to write more thoughts on starting a career in fundraising. Do you have any specific questions or thoughts regarding a career in fundraising that you would like me to cover? For examples more information about the job search process, what it is like to work in a fundraising office, how to interview, anything like that?