Comments on: Why Do We Fundraise? http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/ Making sense of fundraising for non-profits. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:17:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Janice Chan http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/comment-page-1/#comment-1501 Janice Chan Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:49:40 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=45#comment-1501 While I certainly enjoy what I do at work on a daily basis, what keeps me going is that I believe in mission, and because I believe our programs are aimed at prevention rather than providing quick fixes. I think our mission also strikes a chord with me personally because of my life experiences. I know I am where I am today because I have a wonderful father who's incredibly supportive and a mentor who always seems to know the right questions to ask. But unfortunately, not every kid has someone like that in their lives. These kids slip between the cracks and grow up lost. And that's absolutely preventable. Catastrophes happen and who knows what's going to blindside you, but when bad things are preventable (young people turning to crime or drugs, the uninsured dying from something that would've been treatable if caught earlier) and they aren't prevented, that makes me angry. And that makes it worth it. That was a really good question and definitely something good to think about - thanks for asking it! While I certainly enjoy what I do at work on a daily basis, what keeps me going is that I believe in mission, and because I believe our programs are aimed at prevention rather than providing quick fixes. I think our mission also strikes a chord with me personally because of my life experiences. I know I am where I am today because I have a wonderful father who’s incredibly supportive and a mentor who always seems to know the right questions to ask. But unfortunately, not every kid has someone like that in their lives. These kids slip between the cracks and grow up lost. And that’s absolutely preventable. Catastrophes happen and who knows what’s going to blindside you, but when bad things are preventable (young people turning to crime or drugs, the uninsured dying from something that would’ve been treatable if caught earlier) and they aren’t prevented, that makes me angry. And that makes it worth it.

That was a really good question and definitely something good to think about – thanks for asking it!

]]> By: betsy http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/comment-page-1/#comment-496 betsy Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:11:08 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=45#comment-496 Why do I fundraise - to help bring change to others and to invite others to be the vehicle of that change. I fundraise for ideals and beliefs that are important to me - I belive in the cause, the services we provide and know that what we do - works! To be successful, donors need to do the same and it is my job to help open their eyes and hearts and allow them the opportunity to be a part of our mission. My work is not done for the big gift or the pat on the back - but done for those we serve, helping our guests receive the services they need and then more, but also done to help others see that they can be the change they want to see in the the world! (Gandhi). Thanks for this opportunity. betsy Why do I fundraise – to help bring change to others and to invite others to be the vehicle of that change. I fundraise for ideals and beliefs that are important to me – I belive in the cause, the services we provide and know that what we do – works! To be successful, donors need to do the same and it is my job to help open their eyes and hearts and allow them the opportunity to be a part of our mission. My work is not done for the big gift or the pat on the back – but done for those we serve, helping our guests receive the services they need and then more, but also done to help others see that they can be the change they want to see in the the world! (Gandhi). Thanks for this opportunity. betsy

]]> By: Susan Hyatt http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/comment-page-1/#comment-366 Susan Hyatt Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:18:40 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=45#comment-366 I appreciate the focus of your blog - glad to know you are taking this topic on! I totally agree that fundraising is a key issue for nonprofit sustainability. In my work and Nonprofit Toolkit for developing strategic partnerships with businesses, I try to expand the conversation by talking "resource development" instead of purely fundraising. Though I know many folks use the term fundraising to mean the broader resource development approach -- I guess it becomes a semantics thing. While the research shows that the individuals continue to provide the lions share of dollars to nonprofits, businesses are another good source of resources. I think there are many ways nonprofits can get support from businesses, especially those that may not have any dollars immediately available in their philanthropy budget, to help further the nonprofit's mission and programming. I think sometimes, when nonprofits think too narrowly about asking just for dollars, they shut the conversation with a business down prematurely. Then it's a missed opportunity. -- Sue www.BNconnections.com I appreciate the focus of your blog – glad to know you are taking this topic on! I totally agree that fundraising is a key issue for nonprofit sustainability. In my work and Nonprofit Toolkit for developing strategic partnerships with businesses, I try to expand the conversation by talking “resource development” instead of purely fundraising. Though I know many folks use the term fundraising to mean the broader resource development approach — I guess it becomes a semantics thing. While the research shows that the individuals continue to provide the lions share of dollars to nonprofits, businesses are another good source of resources. I think there are many ways nonprofits can get support from businesses, especially those that may not have any dollars immediately available in their philanthropy budget, to help further the nonprofit’s mission and programming. I think sometimes, when nonprofits think too narrowly about asking just for dollars, they shut the conversation with a business down prematurely. Then it’s a missed opportunity.

– Sue
http://www.BNconnections.com

]]> By: John Harrison http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/comment-page-1/#comment-355 John Harrison Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:22:22 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=45#comment-355 Your point about thinking about yourself as "a social entrepreneur" is a point expressed by a number of fundraisers we have encountered - they find it a struggle but have a great desire to see the organisations they support do well. Your point about thinking about yourself as “a social entrepreneur” is a point expressed by a number of fundraisers we have encountered – they find it a struggle but have a great desire to see the organisations they support do well.

]]> By: nonprofitSherpa http://www.asmallchange.net/why-do-we-fundraise/comment-page-1/#comment-351 nonprofitSherpa Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:58:56 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=45#comment-351 Hi Jason, I just recently posted a blog written by the CEO of our company regarding the troubles that nonprofits are facing in losing donors. According to one of Contribute Magazine's top stories by Tracie McMillan, "Donor loyalty weakens as mistrust grows," nonprofits are losing nearly 52% of donations each year. This "donor drain" can be attributed to many factors, some of which include donors feeling unappreciated, or donors feeling uniformed and neglected despite their efforts to support a cause they care for. The article is posted at http://www.contributemedia.com/home_details.php?story=true&id=18. Also, you might enjoy reading the blog I posted at echodonations.wordpress.com. Please let me know your thoughts! ~Michelle echoDonations.org Hi Jason,

I just recently posted a blog written by the CEO of our company regarding the troubles that nonprofits are facing in losing donors. According to one of Contribute Magazine’s top stories by Tracie McMillan, “Donor loyalty weakens as mistrust grows,” nonprofits are losing nearly 52% of donations each year. This “donor drain” can be attributed to many factors, some of which include donors feeling unappreciated, or donors feeling uniformed and neglected despite their efforts to support a cause they care for.

The article is posted at http://www.contributemedia.com/home_details.php?story=true&id=18. Also, you might enjoy reading the blog I posted at echodonations.wordpress.com. Please let me know your thoughts!

~Michelle
echoDonations.org

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