Achieving Excellence in Fundraising. Группа авторов
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must remain faithful to the organization's mission, be creative, and engage board members. Connecting the nonprofit's work with the broader social issues and systems will help fundraisers identify a larger pool of donors in the future. Most of all, fundraisers must remain positive. Philanthropy is about hope for the future and fundraising is an optimistic profession that serves society well, especially in times of distress.
Opportunities for Philanthropy
Conditions including climate events (fires, floods), the pandemic, social movements, and economic crises require fundraisers to respond with agility steeped in solid understanding of their organization's context. This section describes three changes in the relationships among donors, nonprofit organizations, communities, and beneficiaries.
One change is a new appreciation for the assets of communities and their unique qualities. For example, recent studies on rural philanthropy highlight the importance of trust and common values in uncovering hidden needs in rural Iowa. Or, in New Mexico, research found that place and people who are rooted in local history and culture play a key role in devising partnerships. The local participants honored the process of sharing and equalizing power and cultivated a sense of mutual respect among all participants – donors and recipients alike (Campbell University 2020).
A second change relates to how the pandemic caused rapid adaptation in ways of giving. Giving online increased; other giving was directed through direct transfer platforms. Donor‐advised funds gave more in a record amount of time. Foundations also changed funding restrictions and reporting requirements to reach vulnerable populations and to assure that nonprofits survived the pandemic and economic disruption. This demonstrates that quick pivots are possible.
A third change is some funders' embrace of trust‐based philanthropy, which includes explicit attention to community voices, funding for community‐driven projects, and self‐determination for community members, to decide what is best. This approach acknowledges the imbalance in funder‐grantee relations and seeks to address mistrust in institutions and those in power. It involves new processes, sharing, humility, and deep learning to help communities mobilize efforts from the bottom up (Wong and McGrath 2020).
The turbulent times have created a context in which philanthropic values are being reexamined. In the face of these disruptions and social reckoning, philanthropy has become a critical building block in the figurative and literal healing of many (Grant 2020).
Conclusion
Questions about philanthropy's purpose and position in society are age‐old and will continue as a source of robust discussion. It is certain that fundraisers will always have to adapt to a changing context of economic, social, and political issues. New skills in technology and digital communications will be part of their daily practice, but more educational opportunities will also be available to develop these and other capacities. Engaging donors, volunteers, and staff in new ways will be important as organizations deliver their missions in a more diverse world and growing nonprofit/philanthropic sector. The power of data, a changing philanthropic narrative, and the implementation of equitable and inclusive practices are all key elements of the sector's future. As the institutional stewards of philanthropy, fundraisers should bear these changes in mind as they fulfill their role in building a just and civil society.
Discussion Questions
1 Discuss the opportunities, critiques, challenges, and failures of philanthropy reviewed in this chapter. How can fundraisers prepare to have conversations with donors and community members in relation to these concerns and possibilities?
2 Discuss how the changing economic, social, and political climate could affect distinct types of nonprofits (i.e., human service organizations versus arts organizations).
Application Exercises
1 What is an example in your community where philanthropy has made a significant, positive impact? Conversely, what is an example in your community where philanthropy has overlooked a specific need or group of people? Finally, can you find local examples of innovative efforts to better incorporate community voices into funding decision‐making and philanthropic strategizing?
2 Evaluate your organization's digital literacy. Look at the following areas: Internally, do all employees understand the importance of data use, management, and privacy? Are online fundraising financial transactions secure? How do you acquire the data you use in fundraising activities? What is the approach to donor privacy? Do you address the question of data privacy with your clients? How is organizational beneficiaries' privacy protected? Externally, is your organization at risk of data breaches?
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