Comments on: Joan is Going Nowhere http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/ Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:17:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: What’s Wrong with Fundraising? | Social Velocity http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29611 What’s Wrong with Fundraising? | Social Velocity Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:31:13 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29611 [...] brings me to an interesting letter that Hildy Gottlieb’s “Creating the Future” blog received recently.  A fundraiser [...] [...] brings me to an interesting letter that Hildy Gottlieb’s “Creating the Future” blog received recently.  A fundraiser [...]

]]> By: Nancy http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29507 Nancy Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:10:59 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29507 In working with donors, I have always felt that it was my job to help further connect them with the mission. I wanted them to feel a part of our joint effort to make our community a better place to live. I also recognized that donors have their own motivations for giving. I have never seen respecting that dynamic as any different than respecting individual client needs. In working with donors, I have always felt that it was my job to help further connect them with the mission. I wanted them to feel a part of our joint effort to make our community a better place to live. I also recognized that donors have their own motivations for giving. I have never seen respecting that dynamic as any different than respecting individual client needs.

]]> By: Kathy Poupart http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29489 Kathy Poupart Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:13:25 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29489 Hildy, In asking donors to partner in our work and mission, communicating with them about the challenges we face, our triumphs, and our needs is an essential. In a donor-centric culture, it is clear that information is power. It is the power to make clear decisions about our time, talent and treasure. It is the power for a donor to make a deeper commitment to those things that are a passion in their life. It is the power to be a cheerleader for those organizations that give meaning to our lives and the lives of others. For many, perspective is reality. I suggest to Joan that she look at her donors with a different lens to gain a new perspective. Hildy,

In asking donors to partner in our work and mission, communicating with them about the challenges we face, our triumphs, and our needs is an essential. In a donor-centric culture, it is clear that information is power. It is the power to make clear decisions about our time, talent and treasure. It is the power for a donor to make a deeper commitment to those things that are a passion in their life. It is the power to be a cheerleader for those organizations that give meaning to our lives and the lives of others.

For many, perspective is reality. I suggest to Joan that she look at her donors with a different lens to gain a new perspective.

]]> By: Mari Lane Gewecke http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29433 Mari Lane Gewecke Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:27:09 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29433 My philosophy has always been to put the donor first. Now, my application of that may differ from Joan's director. My idea of putting the donor first involves considering their needs and concerns first. It isn't my place, for example, to convince them that my charity needs their estate more than their heirs. My job is to inform them of the work we do and see if there is a match with their values. I recall a conversation with a donor prospect many years ago, when my job was as development director for a child and family service agency. It became abundantly clear during the conversation that they had a deep love for animals. I put them in touch with the humane society and they discovered a way to turn their passion into philanthropy. That is putting the donor first. And that, in my opinion, is also how we can work together to benefit our communities rather than view each interaction with a donor as a competition with other agencies. Mari Lane Gewecke My philosophy has always been to put the donor first. Now, my application of that may differ from Joan’s director. My idea of putting the donor first involves considering their needs and concerns first. It isn’t my place, for example, to convince them that my charity needs their estate more than their heirs. My job is to inform them of the work we do and see if there is a match with their values.

I recall a conversation with a donor prospect many years ago, when my job was as development director for a child and family service agency. It became abundantly clear during the conversation that they had a deep love for animals. I put them in touch with the humane society and they discovered a way to turn their passion into philanthropy. That is putting the donor first.

And that, in my opinion, is also how we can work together to benefit our communities rather than view each interaction with a donor as a competition with other agencies.

Mari Lane Gewecke

]]> By: Sandy Rees http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29256 Sandy Rees Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:53:00 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29256 People have their favorite causes. When you can target donors whose favorite cause matches your mission, you can be donor-centric and mission-focused at the same time. Sandy Rees www.getfullyfunded.com People have their favorite causes. When you can target donors whose favorite cause matches your mission, you can be donor-centric and mission-focused at the same time.

Sandy Rees
http://www.getfullyfunded.com

]]> By: Mark Riffey http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/02/10/joan-is-going-nowhere/comment-page-1/#comment-29242 Mark Riffey Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:39:47 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=231#comment-29242 Hildy, I dont see anything wrong with a partly-donor-centric attitude - but what goes along with that is what many organizations fail at: choosing their donors. If you focus on attracting, retaining and involving donors whose ideals/needs fit your mission, then your mission doesnt have to change just to get a check (ie: you dont have to sell out your org). Getting orgs to accept that "everyone can be our donor" is your challenge and it should be addressed. Hildy,

I dont see anything wrong with a partly-donor-centric attitude – but what goes along with that is what many organizations fail at: choosing their donors.

If you focus on attracting, retaining and involving donors whose ideals/needs fit your mission, then your mission doesnt have to change just to get a check (ie: you dont have to sell out your org).

Getting orgs to accept that “everyone can be our donor” is your challenge and it should be addressed.

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