When it comes to fundraising, we regularly plan our actions and activities.
Maybe we’re going to:
- finalize the Run of Show for our upcoming giving day
- create the next direct mail solicitation package
- plan the next special event
- design the annual impact report
- ask the donor to make a gift
Or maybe it’s a hundred other tasks.
How often, though, do we include:
- listen
The mostly faux pressures of urgent action can narrow and misguide our plans. We can fixate on tasks that are done to donors, friends, and volunteers. Work fast and check the box.
The most effective development folk, though, regularly engage in tasks that are done with donors, friends, and volunteers. Tasks that seek to understand their stories and experiences, listens, and responds. Work more slowly and check on people.
If our goal is to make fundraising totals increase, asking thoughtful questions of our donors, friends, and volunteers and deeply listening to what is being communicated is the transcendent task we must employ.
