It used to be that a nonprofit leader receiving a check from a donor would smile politely, say a big "thank you" and go on her way. But just as (seemingly) every aspect of the world as we know it is changing, so too is philanthropy. We are starting to question long-held assumptions about how money is given and how it should be spent.
As a nonprofit leader, if you want to start securing and using money in a more strategic way, if you want to move from fundraising to financing, you need to bring your donors along with you.
It is up to you to enlighten your major donors about how they can use money more effectively. So that instead of being merely the recipient of your donors' largesse, you become a true partner in putting their money to work for real social change.
We simply can't sit around and wait for philanthropists to suddenly understand the hurdles nonprofits face. So the next time you meet with a major donor (an individual, foundation or corporate donor with whom you have a one-on-one relationship), make time to have a deeper, different conversation aimed at enlightening them about the realities you face.
Here are some ways to start that conversation with your donors:
"Overhead Isn't a Dirty Word Anymore."
The notion that "overhead" expenses, like administrative and fundraising costs, are unseemly in the nonprofit sector is becoming antiquated. Instead there is a growing effort to evaluate nonprofits based on the results they achieve, not the way they spend their money. And effective nonprofits need strong organizations behind their work. Take some time to educate your closest donors about this growing movement to support all aspects (including staffing, systems, technology) of a nonprofit organization.
"These Are The Hurdles Standing In Our Way."
Let's face it, most nonprofits struggle with some key organizational challenges. Perhaps you struggle to secure sustainable funding; or you can't recruit and engage an effective board; or you want to grow, but lack an effective growth plan. Whatever your challenges are, start being more open with your funders about those challenges. It is a risky conversation, to be sure. But I bet that your long-term funders have probably already recognized some of those roadblocks, and your open and honest approach to facing them might start a new conversation about solutions.
"Here Are Some Solutions to Those Hurdles."
You don't want simply to tell your donors a laundry list of woes. As my mother always said "Don't come to me with your problems, come to me with your solutions." So before you tell your close donors what is holding you back, do your research about how you might overcome those hurdles. If you struggle to bring enough money in the door, perhaps a Financial Model Assessment could help. If you can't effectively track and communicate with donors, you may need new technology and systems. If you don't have enough staff to grow your programs, analyze the additional expertise you need and calculate how much it would cost. Put together a thoughtful plan for how you can overcome the obstacles you face.
"Here is How You Can Help."
Which brings me to the key conversation you need to have to enlighten your donors. You cannot execute on a change plan if you don't have the resources to do so. That's where your key donors come in. If you've spent the time educating them about organization-building, the key obstacles in your way, and your plan for overcoming those obstacles, then the next logical step is to ask them for help. If you have invested them in the need and direction for change, you are ready to ask them to invest in the solution.
I know it's difficult for nonprofits and their major donors to have open and honest conversations. But we will never move forward if nonprofit leaders don't start initiating some difficult, but potentially game-changing conversations with their donors. Indeed, effective social change depends on it.
If you want to learn more about moving your nonprofit from a fundraising to a financing approach, check out the Financing Not Fundraising library.