As wealth concentrates in fewer hands, and big gifts prove more vital to mission realization, some question if too many organizations are catering to the whims of the wealthy at the expense of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They should. When joining that conversation, however, we should remember:
- The vast majority of donors, including those of high net worth, do not give for egocentric reasons
- The egocentric who give, don’t give generously within their means
- Donor-centered practitioners don’t cater to the egocentric
Those who call themselves donor-centric represent a school of thought that seeks to counter the prevalent practice of crying “need” and begging for gifts at the first opportunity. The donor-centric assert, and have proven, that more money can be raised and missions can be advanced more systematically when organizations take the time to listen to donors, build trust, clarify shared purposes, and demonstrate the impact of giving.
As we seek to create a more just society, let’s do all we can to keep the coalition of the purpose-driven intact – donors, donor-centric practitioners, and difference-making organizations.
BTW, organizations that can’t offer impact have little choice but to cater to ego.
Jim Langley is the president of Langley Innovations. Langley Innovations provides a range of services to its clients to help them understand the cultural underpinnings of philanthropy and the psychology of donors, and with that knowledge, to develop the most effective strategies and tactics to build broader and more lasting communities of support. Jim has authored numerous books, including his most recent book, The Future of Fundraising: Adapting to New Philanthropic Realities, published by Academic Impressions in 2020.