Advancement folk talk a lot about serving donors. We talk less about delighting them.
Both verbs seem helpful and positive, but the idea of serving donors brings with it a focus on us. Our mindset. Our plans. Our behaviors and actions.
On the other hand, the idea of delighting donors brings with it a focus on them. Their feelings. Their experience. Their preferences and likings.
Of the many decisions we must make to advance our cause most effectively, a primary one is whether we will view our work through our own lens or through a donor’s lens.
Choose wisely.