A Reader: "Boards on Fire" by Susan Howlett"
For those standing on the outside looking in, the job of asking people for money to support nonprofit causes may seem impossible. "I could never" or "I don't know how you do that" are the top two comments I most often receive after telling someone what I do for a living. To be completely honest, even though I have been a fundraiser for almost 6 years, I didn't quite understand the art of asking until about a year ago when I attended an amazing two weekend training seminar. Only then, did I fully understand the science behind donor research, cultivation, appreciation, and stewardship.
Despite all that training and everything I have learned on the job and off, I have struggled with motivating my board of directors to raise more money. It wasn't until I picked this book up that I understood concrete motivation and tools to give my board to overcome their fear, prepare them for meaningful conversations, and setting them up for success. Now, more than ever before, I don't feel just like an office of one (which I am), rather I feel like I have a well equipped team behind me who is educated, motivated, and ready to ask. Together, there is no telling what we can do and all it took was an intimate knowledge with the art of fundraising.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
