Why Not Call It “Attraction-ing” Instead of Fundraising?
Regardless of whether or not you already are someone who supports some sort of charitable organization in any variety of ways,no matter if big or small, you would likely still look upon the task of fundraising, especially if asked to do it, as a dreaded activity, no matter how necessary and worthwhile you understand it to be.
When fundraising is not done well,it is an activity that can come close to resembling the act of begging or the similarly impersonal and self-serving activity of a quota-driven salesperson or marketer. It just doesn’t feel good to be on either side of the table.
Caring Is Not Enough
Yet still, even adding a factor of “sincere caring” to both sides of the fundraising equation isn’t likely to be enough to automatically make any potentially-resulting transaction that much more endearing to either party involved.
We know that there already are many potential donors out there, regardless of how much or how little they can afford to donate at any given time, who are compassionate people who truly want to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Likewise, many fundraising personnel truly care about the organizations and the causes for which they work, as do many conscientious marketers and salespeople for the products or services they offer as well.
One would think that matching up two caring parties who are equally passionate about the same thing should not be that difficult to do, especially given the enabling and increasingly accessible technological advances that surrounds us.
Fundraising is a Multi-Pronged Skill-Set
What makes good charitable matchmaking so challenging is that it involves so much more than just coming up with some sort of all-knowing algorithm-based problem-solving matchmaking formula. The human factors can’t be automated.
Fundraising is an activity, but even more so, fundraising involves a multi-pronged skill-set. Fundraising involves selling and marketing along with heart and compassion and sincerity, as communicated via emotional storytelling which brings to life each party’s “caring” and appreciation and trustworthiness for each other. This can’t be achieved in a superficial way or with a once-and-done approach.
Fundraising, as well as the increasingly popular sister-activity of “crowdfunding”, is not just about effectively executing a fill-in-the-blanks activity sheet, but it is rather a skill, and probably even an art, that is becoming more and more important to master in our current economic climate.
You Never Know When a Need May Arise
Knowing about fundraising is not only useful for philanthropists and activists, but it can turn out to be just as useful for the average person, too.
Learning how to attract donors or volunteers is not that different from attracting investors or employees or an audience who want to hear and be a part of (or invest in) your sincere meaningful story, mission, or vision.
Being at the mercy of fate, as we all are (of course, in combination with free will and personal responsibility), you and I can never really know for sure when or if you (or someone you know) may one day be in need of receiving assistance from compassionate donors or volunteers or supporters of some kind.
Even on a less-needs-based level,you never know if perhaps one day you might need to request help in funding a cause or even a for-profit venture of your own.
Fundraising is a skill you want to develop before you need it.
Coining a Better Word For It
Fundraising, similar to email list-building, is a skill that is about building relationships that “can be not only financially rewarding, but tremendously personally satisfying.”
Maybe if we used the word “attraction-ing” instead of fundraising, then a whole different level of enthusiasm might arise for the often-maligned professions of Sales & Marketing mixed with the more altruistic yet still equally dreaded task of fundraising.
“Attraction-ing” is a skill that will always be in demand.
Where does “attraction-ing” fall on your skills list?
Donation Request: I am writing this series as part of the4-Hour Chef Giveback Campaign contest. Would you consider donating a dollar or two to my DonorsChoose.org Campaign page, found by clicking through this link today, thereby supporting teachers in K-12 classrooms that are working to create a positive learning environment for their students in the best way they know how?
Thank you in advance for considering these questions.
Photo Credit: title=”Leading the Rally” by edenpictures, on Flickr
