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Fundraising: The Ultimate Collaboration
by Don Gomes, Executive Director, Utah Nonprofits Association
Nonprofits are known for collaboration. Nonprofits often share best practices and
often work jointly on projects and programs.
To address community needs, people can help create change. They have the chance to share their time, utilize
their skills, and contribute discretionary income and wealth. Of course, businesses, foundations, even
government get involved as well.
But, we do live in troubled times. This heightens the need for nonprofits to
consider new ways to work together.
Pooling of ideas, resources, and talent help cut costs, raise
visibility, and most important, continue the flow of services.
Economic Woes
As we enter the final quarter of 2008, fundraising appeals will
fight the clutter of holiday shopping, and this year, political rhetoric. Still, the hope is that a caring spirit will
prevail and offer the hope and reality of changed lives.
Some nonprofits have felt the effect of a sliding economy
this year. There may be more discomfort
to come. Mortgage foreclosures, gas
prices, health care access – what might be next? Yet there will still be many who choose to offer what they can to
the important work that is being done.
The economic concern is very real and is truly across the
board. It is disarming for instance to
hear that thrift stores across the country have seen sales increases from 5 – 15 percent. At the same time they note
a sharp decline in donations – including clothing and other goods to sell. Here in Utah many social service organizations including shelters, food pantries, and others have noted December-like demand for services even in the heart of summer.
Recent news of the failure of Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch
mean the possible loss of significant contributions. Last year alone the two companies, or their foundations,
collectively gave an estimated $47 million to nonprofit organizations, including homeless shelters, scholarship programs, food pantries, and social service agencies. The federal bailout
of AIG will also affect contributions.
Much is expected
We have come to expect that in times of crisis nonprofits
will help, that food and shelter will be provided. We feel confident that when it is time to be entertained that
dancers will dance, actors will act, and musicians will play. We know that when threats to the environment
occur, suitable dialog will ensue.
Whatever it is that community-based nonprofits are committed to as their
mission will likely continue regardless of external conditions
But can we really be sure? If less is given, if fewer resources are available, what do we
do? A tight job market in Utah does not
bode well for retaining employees who want to be sure they can support their families
with a regular paycheck. And even in
the vast regions of Utah beyond the Wasatch Front, there is hunger – for food,
for education, for culture.
Much is Mis-given
The old saying is, “To whom much is given, much is
expected.”
There are many nonprofits who feel wary of being “given
much” or anything at all sometimes.
From benevolent paternalism by funders to micro-management by boards of
trustees, it can often appear that nonprofits are considered stooges instead of
competent stewards.
This becomes particularly problematic when
government agencies, federal, state, and local, demand time-consuming and
costly paperwork. They arguably know
little about the operation of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits are asked to provide evidence
that a high percentage of their income goes directly to its beneficiaries. The nonprofit knows what costs go into
programs. But that often seems not to be
considered when a government agency uses a mind-numbing calculation to produce a
dubious percentage of donated funds that goes to the nonprofit’s purpose.
Transparency, accountability, ethics, and honesty are only
some of the highly prized compliance expectations of nonprofits. They understand the trust placed in
them. They know their work affects many
lives. They admire and respect those
who provide resources to make the work happen.
Collaboration of Confidence
Nonprofit organizations exhibit much of what is
so good about democracy. We can all be
involved. Even those of little means
can get involved as volunteers or even board members. We can contribute money and actually see the result of its worth.
Collaboration is not easy. It does not imply that anyone is a loser. Egos may be fragile, but hopefully the
greater good is uppermost. As donors,
we can have our say, but we must guard against undue influence. As a lead organization, we can’t allow a
smaller group to feel marginalized or unimportant. Communication is critical.
We gain power at times by a willingness to step back or step aside.
There is a terrific story that says, "If you have a
penny and I have a penny and we exchange pennies, you still have one cent and I
still have one cent. But if you have an
idea and I have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now have two ideas and I now
have two ideas."
Communities are far better off sharing ideas than engaging
in relationships built on transactions.
References:
This is a succinct primer on successful collaboration.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5384/is_200003/ai_n21452982
Some pragmatic advice on fundraising in turbulent times.
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitfinances/tp/nonprofitrecession.htm?nl=1
Micro-managing materials
http://www.ncnonprofits.org/faq/cgxiii3pg1.pdf
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