We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Privacy Overview
Login
Your Role
Challenges You Face
results
Learn
Resources
Company
Beware of the fundraising Illuminati
The Illuminati is the name given to real and fictitious secret society groups claiming special knowledge or enlightenment.
In the nonprofit sector, such groups of ‘experts’ exist; make no mistake!
They act like they know what’s best for you, your organization’s supporters, and the sector as a whole while saying they are “just trying to make the world a better place.” And I can only assume that deep in their hearts they really believe that to be true.
But, I have learned (unfortunately from experience) that many of them are actually mostly trying to make their world better. In other words, they are fiercely focused on their own self-interests yet they pretend to be altruistic.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with self-interest. But cloaking it in altruism is misleading. And that’s not fair.
Get the book!
Feeling like your job is getting harder because donor expectations have changed and competition for the charitable dollar is growing?
Finding that the old orthodoxies and conventions espoused by so-called experts in online echo-chambers and at conferences don’t work anymore?
Want to help more people make impact by facilitating their acts of philanthropy but feel like too many obstacles keep getting in your way?
Then this book is for you.
Engagement Fundraising was developed from the perspective of a donor who discovered firsthand that the impersonal, spray-and-pray approaches of his beloved charity were not only offensive but also wasteful and ineffective. So he took action. And now, you can too.
Get smarter with the SmartIdeas blog
Subscribe to our blog today and get actionable fundraising ideas delivered straight to your inbox!
Greg
So well put. You can usually spot the difference between being “of service” and promoting “your service”. Thanks for providing a consistent “boots on the ground” backdrop. Your perspectives keep me always thinking of ways to serve in a stronger way.
Thanks so much Michael. Happy to help!
And they usually are trying to sell you “re-branding”.
Right on Chris!
It hurts us all when people talk it, but have never walked it. I see it more now than ever before — “fundraising coaches” or “expert trainers” who have never spent a day bringing in a dollar.
Very sad. Agreed!
Greg, disruptors will always run into those who cling to the status quo out of fear of change and/or self-interest. In the nonprofit sector, the problem is particularly challenging because charities offer little reward for breakout success, sometimes success is even punished. The solution is for disruptors to continue to disrupting. And we need to shine a light on the “Illuminati.” While speaking generally about the Illuminati is one thing, I think it’s important to be more specific when calling them out. Whether you name names, I encourage you to provide specific examples of their behavior to drive home your point. I also hope you’ll keep the pressure on. Thank you for being a good-hearted disruptor.
You are wise and brave. I’ve called a few out and made some serious enemies. There are only so many tussles I can bother getting into. Good stuff as always Michael.