Lately, I've noticed a significant uptick in the number of emails flooding my inbox. While many are political fundraising appeals, an increasing number come from nonprofits. It’s concerning to see how both seem to be disregarding the basic principles of development.
What surprises me most is the speed with which the ask comes—often with little to no cultivation or even qualification. Recently, I had an experience on LinkedIn that perfectly illustrates this issue. A Development professional, whose title suggested a certain level of expertise, connected with me. Even though I didn’t know this person, I accepted the request. Within three minutes—yes, three minutes—I received a message asking me to make a "meaningful gift" to his organization. From identification to solicitation in under three minutes—that has to be a record!
In an era of uncertainty and overwhelming noise, if we truly want our donors to give, we need to slow down. We must meet them where they are, taking the time to build authentic connections. It’s these genuine relationships that ultimately lead to stronger organizations and more meaningful contributions.
I'm clearly not the only one who feels this way. For a different perspective on the importance of building connections in fundraising, check out this insightful post from The Agitator. It dives into an unusual but thought-provoking analogy about hand size and fundraising success—definitely worth the read!
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