American robins typically live for about 2 years. During their short lifespans they typically care for 4-6 broods.
For each brood, they either construct a new nest or substantially renovate a previously-used nest. The process of nest building and caring for chicks usually occurs during the 5 months between March and July of each year.
So, out of a 24-month lifespan, 10 or so months (about 40% of their lives) is devoted to gathering the resources, preparing a place for the next generation to succeed, and then, helping the next generation get off and running.
Additionally, robins use mud as the foundation (their version of cement) for their nests. They get mud from the edges of ponds and creeks or from earthworm castings. When the weather has been extremely dry and mud is not easily or readily available, they make their own mud. They will carry dirt and other materials in their bills and soak in birdbaths to get the materials muddy and usable.
Two fundraising thoughts came to my mind when learning about how robins make nests:
- Most advancement shops don’t spend 40% of total team time focused on planning and implementing fundraising strategies that will benefit the institution and its mission well into the future. This absolutely could be a “rule of thumb” practice, though – Forty percent fundraising for the future. Sixty percent fundraising for today. Imagine the charitable giving benefits if our planned giving programs received more consistent attention.
- Some periods of fundraising are easier than others. In the robins’ world, when rain occurs regularly, mud is abundant and easy to gather. But mud is not so plentiful when a dry period occurs. Similarly, when the stock markets are rising and employment is high, it may feel easier to fundraise. But, during a financial downturn or recession, gift officers may feel as though there is no “mud” to gather. It is during these times that we need to “make mud,” just as the robins do. As fundraisers, we “make mud” by keeping donors engaged with our mission, showing that we are thinking of them and asking how they are doing during the “dry” periods, and presenting them with creative and compelling invitations to give.
When we look closely, nature offers a number of helpful analogies related to fundraising.
Perhaps because giving is a natural behavior – even for American robins.