Here are the worst practices I would enshrine in that hall.
No, I am not talking about scams or criminal activity in the name of fundraising. Let’s hope law enforcement takes care of that.
Nor am I talking about the adverse conditions created by some short-sighted leaders that cause us to cut corners or hurry the process.
I’m talking about what is in the power of individual practitioners to do or not do. In each case, the correction begins with a shift in attitude, one that begins with awe and wonder that there is such a thing as philanthropy and treats it as a precious seedling that needs to be constantly nurtured if it is to put down roots in our organizational culture.
The Fundraising Hall of Shame
- The ambush ask or anything that misleads or fails to inform the donor about the purpose of the meeting
- Invoicing donors for what you expect to be their annual commitment
- Announcing “it’s that time” for year-end or giving day appeals
- Asserting that donors “should” give
- Saying you “raised” what donors gave, often without your help
- Blaming donors for your fundraising disappointments
- Believing donors need to be educated about the importance of your mission, but you don’t need to be about theirs
- Automating thanking to the point of depersonalization
- Lecturing donors on the importance of giving, not on what you will be delivering if they do
- Assigning scut work to your volunteers
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.
