Everywhere you look, someone is offering advice about how to fundraise in tough times – stay close to your donors, ask for many small gifts, re-create a lay-away plan for contributions, don’t ask for capital, don’t ask for new, be afraid, be very afraid! I ponder the question of effective fundraising techniques frequently myself. The Bayer Center has always raised 50% of its operating budget and the current economic times have hit us where we live…
I love many things in life and one of them is Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The AKC breed standard to describe a proper Corgi personality is “Bold yet kindly”…an intriguing set of characteristics for any living creature. This combination produces absolutely wonderful dogs – three of whom are in my immediate family.
So as I ponder how we or one of my clients should frame their case for support in these trying times, I find myself thinking about the BOLD YET KINDLY injunction…For times like these call for organizations to retain their optimism, their aspirations for a better world, their intention to change and improve people’s lives – BE BOLD, yet they also call for a measured, evidence-based, tempered approach in their fundraising techniques, strategies that are appreciative of the times – YET KINDLY or better perhaps, WISE…
Corgis have other qualities that are characteristic of good fundraisers. They are persistent and tenacious when they believe something valuable (a peanut butter filled Kong is particularly desireable…) is in the offering. They are charming and interested in all kinds of people, believing them to be worthy of their regard. Their world is joy-filled and full of possibility.
I think these are qualities that draw people to organizations and motivate a spirit of generosity and connection. So may we all be BOLD YET WISE in our on-going work of securing the necessary resources for our organizations…may we all love life like a corgi and love our people with many kisses and an unbounding enthusiasm for new adventures, believing the world is waiting for us and ready to play.
I’d love to hear where you find your inspiration and courage to keep working even when the world around you says NO…so fundraise like a Corgi and may you each be very successful!