Gracious Fundraising
March 17, 2015 at 11:09 am Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment
I was sat with some terrific millennial women during a pizza and beer tasting dinner. Our conversation topics were varied but inevitably came to our work. All were gainfully employed in a great careers. When it got to me, NPR and fundraising – they all universally gushed about how much they LOVE NPR – Guy Raz especially – but we covered most of NPR podcasts or programs. Then one of them said,
I have met a few fundraisers. Those I have met are such gracious fundraisers.
Wow! I had never in decades of fundraising had our profession or work been called gracious or referred to any of our moves management, cultivation, solicitation or stewardship as gracious. But she is so right!
As fundraisers, if we are gracious in all we do – with our colleagues in research, database; our donors, Board members and others – the art of our work is more apparent than the science behind it.
| synonyms: | courteous, polite, civil, chivalrous, well mannered, mannerly, decorous; tactful, diplomatic; kind, benevolent, considerate,thoughtful, obliging, accommodating, indulgent,magnanimous; friendly, amiable, cordial,hospitable |
This made me think about how we hire, train, develop fundraisers and careers. It begins with our offices – do we have a gracious environments in which to work? Are we proactively making this possible? When we hire, are we seeing graciousness in their demeanor? Are we cultivating graciousness in our work?
It is a word I have now posted on my wall – it’s a good reminder.
Entry filed under: A Better You, Fundraising, Public Radio. Tags: Gracious fundraising, how to be a great fundraiser, keys to great fundraising.
Talisman Philanthropy 
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