Cryptic Boxes and Unforced Mysteries
In one of my favorite episodes of the HBO show “Silicon Valley”, Richard and his team of software developers were dubiously tasked with creating code for a B2B appliance called “The Box”. It was a major diversion from their original vision. Probably the vast majority of Silicon Valley viewers would not have been able to explain what The Box was supposed to do.
Sometimes I feel like we experience major gift fundraising as The Box. It appears slick and efficient, but we’re not exactly sure what’s inside or what makes it tick. As time goes on, The Box takes on a life of its own, becoming ‘The-Box-of-major-gift-fundraising-dread’. Super intimidating. Very confusing. Way too much work. Remarkably mysterious. We’re tempted to believe it’s an unsolvable mystery. But it shouldn’t be a mystery. Major gift fundraising need not be like The Box.
Let’s think honestly about the reasons we fall into cryptic boxes:
- Not enough time
- Exhaustion
- Tired of rejection
- Afraid of being fired
- Over budget
- Budget cuts
- We don’t know how to ask
- Our connections are depleted
Folks, this is hard work, and not a difficult list to make because it’s mine! Our fundraising efforts can be exceptionally discouraging at times.
How can we avoid the ‘box-of-major-fundraising-dread’?
Here are four suggestions:
- Breathe. Take at least 10 minutes every week to find a quiet, peaceful place and sit quietly. Your main task is to breathe. Nothing else.
- Listen. Take an additional 10 minutes to ask the question, “Who needs to hear about this vision?”. As names come to your heart and mind, write them down in your private journal. These names may never be approached, or they may be surprising new prospects…it doesn’t matter. Listen and write them down.
- Personal tracking system. Devise a simple, quick system where (only) you can see at a glance how your donor work is progressing, then determine next steps.
- Kindred Spirit. Find someone in major gift fundraising to talk with. Brainstorm ideas. Focus together on action-oriented plans that bring results.
Bonus suggestion, if budget allows: Hire a consultant. Jeremy Reis (a great follow on LinkedIn) put together this helpful list. If nothing else, follow these folks on LinkedIn. Most of them are very generous with content and ideas.
A critical part of my work is to make major gift consulting affordable and accessible for nonprofits of all sizes. Some of you will see a profound improvement in your work simply by making a one-time investment of $500 that provides you with access to proven strategies. This can give you clarity on ways to effectively implement a personal tracking system along with many other key resources.
No need for the 📦 or 🗄️ or 🟫 or ⬛. Also, I’m putting out calls for people who want to workshop a new reality show with me: Unforced Mysteries: Profiling Strange Fundraising Fails…🤨
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Depending on your day to day needs in major donor fundraising, I have three options you can choose from to energize your efforts:
- The Catalyst Course - an online course for those tasked with major gift fundraising.
- The High-Performance Package (inquire directly if interested) - a major gift fundraising consultation for experienced professionals.
- The Flywheel Package - a customized six month consultation for people who are leading teams of major gift fundraisers.
The Catalyst Course is affordable at a cost of $500 and can be done in a schedule that fits best for you, taking anywhere from four weeks to three months to complete. Everything I have learned, successes and failures, is packed into the course for your benefit and enjoyment. I have taken hundreds of folks through this content, helping them with fundraising strategies to empower causes all over the world.
Now is the time to take advantage of these resources!
I look forward to hearing about your good work.
Blessings,
