Almost four years ago I declared: "The Fundraising Pyramid Is DEAD!"

Greg: In looking back at the original article and some of the comments, I would agree with Josh and some of the others. The pyramid, while being a progression for some donors, is really a picture of the 80/20 rule. No pictogram is perfect, not even your new funnel. I only spent a brief 2 years on the for-profit marketing side, but what I found is that everyone is looking for some new way to view things, like they have found a new formula for fundraising. Then that “new” way of looking at things floats around the conferences for a year or two until someone else comes up with a “new” way of looking at things and it goes on and on and round and round. However, basic fundraising has not changed since I started in this field over 30 years ago. It is all about relationships as some level. And good old, “Find, Win, Keep, Lift” never really gets old. It is when people deviate from this progression that things go wonky. I have made the mistake myself a few times. No one HAS to give one dime to charity. In fact, when you think about it, it is really unusual that any person parts with a single dollar. The tax break is not that good. So why to people give: To make a difference and because they are touched/moved in some way. The fundraisers job (or the marketer) is to present the need to the right people at the right time in the right way with the right ask. Do that, be nice, report back, ask again and you will do fine. Fads come and go. I remember 15 years ago or so the buzz was all about “giving clubs”. Do you hear anything about those now? Nope. Pyramid, funnel, box, octagon, who really cares. Just get out there and connect with people with a good offer and people will give. If they don’t, they the cause just does not resonate.