Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships That Last, Third Edition

Summary

This seems like a good way to end this introductory chapter. Thank you, Jeff Brooks, fundraising leader, from his July 29, 2010, blog at www.futurefundraisingnow.com.

If fundraising isn’t important, you won’t survive.

How important is fundraising within your organization?

Is it a necessary evil?

Is it the red-headed stepchild?

Is it an honored and celebrated part of what you do?

I’ve seen all of the above. And let me tell you: The more fundraising is respected and integrated with the organization as a whole, the better that organization does—financially and otherwise.

Fundraising is absolutely necessary to make all our good works possible, but it’s more than that.

Fundraising is noble and good, but it’s more than that.

Fundraising is just as important as program, but it’s more than that.

Fundraising is itself a Good Deed of the highest order. Because it motivates people to become more conscious, evolved, effective, and integrated. No matter what else your organization does, if you are raising funds, you are making the world a better place by soliciting donors for funds.

The organizations that grasp this are the ones that will be raising the most money. Those that don’t will fade away in the coming years. I know this will make me sound like a Republican, but market forces will take care of this for us. The clueless nonprofits will fail; the excellent ones will succeed. It’s that simple.