Comments on: From Giver to Securer of Resources: My First Impressions of Fundraising http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/ The Personal and Professional Insights of a Struggling College Grad Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:22:45 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: How Fundraising has Prepared Me for Life « Entry Level Living http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-509 How Fundraising has Prepared Me for Life « Entry Level Living Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:03:00 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-509 [...] While my first few months in fundraising were difficult, I must admit that I don’t think there is another profession that could have prepared me so well [...] [...] While my first few months in fundraising were difficult, I must admit that I don’t think there is another profession that could have prepared me so well [...]

]]> By: BethP http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-390 BethP Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:27:41 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-390 I find this to be true, also, especially when it comes to international development. The reality and experiences of people in the "donor world" are often radically different from people in developing countries where physical needs are so much greater. But I'm cynical about the appropriateness of dealing with the tension by highlighting the disparity between the two worlds. There isn't an easy answer, but I'm more inclined to appeal with (and respond to) efforts to bridge this gap with a more hopeful voice. To this end, I have a fundraising page on Firstgiving.com (www.firstgiving.com/bapbwm) and make loans via Kiva. I also sponsor a child through Compassion International because I like the idea of having a more personal connection and a long-term investment in someone's life. Thanks for bringing this thought into the blogosphere; you articulate it well. I find this to be true, also, especially when it comes to international development. The reality and experiences of people in the “donor world” are often radically different from people in developing countries where physical needs are so much greater. But I’m cynical about the appropriateness of dealing with the tension by highlighting the disparity between the two worlds.

There isn’t an easy answer, but I’m more inclined to appeal with (and respond to) efforts to bridge this gap with a more hopeful voice. To this end, I have a fundraising page on Firstgiving.com (www.firstgiving.com/bapbwm) and make loans via Kiva. I also sponsor a child through Compassion International because I like the idea of having a more personal connection and a long-term investment in someone’s life.

Thanks for bringing this thought into the blogosphere; you articulate it well.

]]> By: ajlovesya http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-369 ajlovesya Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:28:58 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-369 @Kathrin: I became friends with the development associate at my job and did some research on various positions in the nonprofit field. I took some classes on fundraising at LaSalle and found myself really excited about what goes into fundraising so I applied for a development fellowship position in nyc! @Elizabeth: I spoke to you a bit about this on facebook but I agree about development allowing you to step back and see the good instead of just the bad. At the same time, as a former "frontliner" it wasnt all bad and being so removed can sometimes lead to a greater disconnect. We act on behalf of people making informed decisions about their needs, not what we perceive the need to be. Also, I'm still activist! It may seem weird but our ultimate goal should be to put ourselves out of business. @Ben: Thank you! You summarized the point that I was trying to make perfectly. Simplifying a complex issue too easily leads to stigmatization. I looked at your site and there are some great points there--the language issue is particularly important. I also think it's important for behind the scenes people to pay attention to general trends in their field (from research and their constituents) not just in terms of crafting grants, but also in terms of what the needs are and what ways are best to address them. But to be honest, getting the community in on the big bad world of fundraising is easier said than done! @Kathrin: I became friends with the development associate at my job and did some research on various positions in the nonprofit field. I took some classes on fundraising at LaSalle and found myself really excited about what goes into fundraising so I applied for a development fellowship position in nyc!

@Elizabeth: I spoke to you a bit about this on facebook but I agree about development allowing you to step back and see the good instead of just the bad. At the same time, as a former “frontliner” it wasnt all bad and being so removed can sometimes lead to a greater disconnect. We act on behalf of people making informed decisions about their needs, not what we perceive the need to be.

Also, I’m still activist! It may seem weird but our ultimate goal should be to put ourselves out of business.

@Ben: Thank you! You summarized the point that I was trying to make perfectly. Simplifying a complex issue too easily leads to stigmatization. I looked at your site and there are some great points there–the language issue is particularly important.

I also think it’s important for behind the scenes people to pay attention to general trends in their field (from research and their constituents) not just in terms of crafting grants, but also in terms of what the needs are and what ways are best to address them. But to be honest, getting the community in on the big bad world of fundraising is easier said than done!

]]> By: Ben Sheldon http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-368 Ben Sheldon Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:50:55 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-368 Fundraising is really tough for exactly that disconnect you're describing: you want to describe a need without it reflecting negatively upon those who it affects (stigmatization). You have to explain the internal and relative issues of your community to outsiders in a simple way that they can understand; and that's dicey. Back in April I put a similar issue about describing "poverty" out to a nonprofit listserv in Massachusetts and collected some of the replies and strategies. I think it might be useful to helping frame some of your needs: http://island94.org/articles/progressive-terminology-discussing-poverty Some of the best strategies I liked was using prepositions "children living in poverty" rather than "poor children", putting a positive quantifier into the phrase "working poor" rather than just "poor", and reusing the grantmaker's/audience's language. I would also try describing your vision for what the community looks when the need is fulfilled and how those funds will "build" that future (rather than "fill" a hole). Most importantly, bringing your questions to the community you are serving and beginning a dialogue is probably the best thing you can do! Fundraising is really tough for exactly that disconnect you’re describing: you want to describe a need without it reflecting negatively upon those who it affects (stigmatization). You have to explain the internal and relative issues of your community to outsiders in a simple way that they can understand; and that’s dicey.

Back in April I put a similar issue about describing “poverty” out to a nonprofit listserv in Massachusetts and collected some of the replies and strategies. I think it might be useful to helping frame some of your needs:

http://island94.org/articles/progressive-terminology-discussing-poverty

Some of the best strategies I liked was using prepositions “children living in poverty” rather than “poor children”, putting a positive quantifier into the phrase “working poor” rather than just “poor”, and reusing the grantmaker’s/audience’s language. I would also try describing your vision for what the community looks when the need is fulfilled and how those funds will “build” that future (rather than “fill” a hole).

Most importantly, bringing your questions to the community you are serving and beginning a dialogue is probably the best thing you can do!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-365 Elizabeth Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:54:24 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-365 My fundraising experience is a little different from yours, I think -- I've worked mostly in arts orgs whilst I've been exploring development. But it's been really uplifting for me to be in development, because before the last few jobs, I was in social justice on the activism side, and I felt as if I was always saying, "The system is broken, the world is hurting, don't [pass that legislation, close that window of opportunity, hurt people like that]." But now, I get to point to the good work we're doing: "This year, we doubled our membership and helped our community communicate effectively with outsiders and created this amazing service. Help us continue doing this work!" I'm trying to perpetuate something I believe in, rather than trying to resist something and convince other people to resist as well. My fundraising experience is a little different from yours, I think — I’ve worked mostly in arts orgs whilst I’ve been exploring development. But it’s been really uplifting for me to be in development, because before the last few jobs, I was in social justice on the activism side, and I felt as if I was always saying, “The system is broken, the world is hurting, don’t [pass that legislation, close that window of opportunity, hurt people like that].” But now, I get to point to the good work we’re doing: “This year, we doubled our membership and helped our community communicate effectively with outsiders and created this amazing service. Help us continue doing this work!” I’m trying to perpetuate something I believe in, rather than trying to resist something and convince other people to resist as well.

]]> By: seekingthecranberry http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-364 seekingthecranberry Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:20:43 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/from-giver-to-securer-of-resources-my-first-impressions-of-fundraising/#comment-364 Hey Allison, Thank you for this great post. How did you make that transition from education to development director? Cheers, Kathrin Hey Allison,

Thank you for this great post.

How did you make that transition from education to development director?

Cheers,
Kathrin

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