Fundraising Isn’t the Problem

Fundraising is hard. It’s a huge challenge. And many organizations struggle to meet their annual goals. But struggling with fundraising is a symptom, not the problem.

I’ve seen behind the curtain of scores of organizations. I’ve witnessed what propels nonprofits to success and what plummets them into crisis, or more commonly, slowly erodes their long-term sustainability. 

Struggling organizations suffer from a common assortment of unhealthy conditions: unclear focus, limited leadership capacity, culture erosion, lack of accountability, and stale perspective. 

Each organization I work with has a different mix of ailments - and even the healthiest organizations I’ve been trusted to assess could claim challenges in one or more of these areas. However, the organizations I worry about are those that have shied away from discovering the real cause of their discomfort, and instead live with the painful symptoms (think burnout, failing to achieve results, staff turnover, financial distress, etc.) for extended periods of time until an existential crisis sends them urgently seeking help. 

Often, board members and executive leaders lament a lack of fundraising as their primary concern when the real issue is their organizational health.  

Healthy organizations ensure they have a clear, well-articulated vision, a strategy to achieve that vision, priorities to drive decision-making and resource allocation, and goals to monitor progress. They intentionally develop leadership skills and connectivity across their organization and intentionally nurture and protect a culture that enables their team to succeed. Energized, thriving nonprofits hold themselves accountable to results and have boards that provide steady, constructive oversight. Sustainable, impactful organizations pause to check their perspective, seek input, honestly evaluate their work, and iterate on their programs and strategies if they aren’t making progress. 

Healthy nonprofits are able to share their story passionately and champion their cause in an infectious way that draws critical support. Prioritize healing the afflictions that impede your organizational health and you’ll see your impact and fundraising efforts become more fruitful.

If you’re concerned the nonprofit you love is suffering any of these ailments, or it just seems under the weather and you’re not sure why, contact me. I am always happy to talk it through. katie@joyofleading.com