How do you cope with fundraising rejections and failures as a grassroots organizer?

There simply are no failures when it comes to fundraising. If you have built even a minimal relationship, if the partner or potential sponsor now knows that your organization exists and is carrying out an important work, then you have won! Most of the strongest and most profitable partnerships I've developed with major funders have started with a "sorry, I can't help you right now."

Don't just acknowledge your emotions but manage your emotions both positive and negative. Don't allow your emotions to override your long-term sound judgement. On the negative side of emotions this can be reflected in responding to rejection email to a a conversation where you are unexpected read the riot act. On the positive side don't allow short term success blind you to how you address/deal/manage future difficulties.

It’s a human reaction. See the rejection as part of your success story, a learning event. You win some and loose some, mourn our losses and celebrate our successes striving to get more successes than losses. When you get to tell the story, the rejections will just be a little part of it.

Coping with fundraising rejections as a grassroots organizer involves acknowledging emotions, reflecting on the experience, and seeking support. Embrace disappointment as part of the process, learn from setbacks, and adapt your strategy. Celebrate successes, set realistic expectations, and prioritize self-care. Remember the purpose of your cause, stay committed, and use rejection as a stepping stone for growth. By doing so, you can build resilience and navigate challenges effectively in the pursuit of your grassroots goals.

Allow yourself to feel the disappointment or frustration that may come with rejections. Analyze the feedback, if available, and identify areas for enhancement in your fundraising strategy. Share experiences with fellow grassroots organizers who may have faced similar challenges. Keep the long-term goals and impact of your grassroots efforts in mind. Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on the passion and purpose that drive your grassroots organizing efforts. Explore different fundraising strategies and diversify your approach. If feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to take short breaks. Each challenge presents an opportunity for growth and improvement in your approach to achieving your organizational goals.

From my experience, a rejection means I’m not ready to make a gift now. No really means not yet. It’s an opportunity to build the relationship. I often say, that I respect the decision and I’d like to stay in touch and share what we are advancing. Almost everyone says yes to keeping in touch. Lastly, I always ask for recommendations about people whom the prospective donor thinks may be interested in my cause. They almost always say “don’t share that I recommend so an so” and I respect their wishes. More often than not, these new leads to prospective donors that are helpful.

This point cannot be overemphasized. From my experience, rejections help you to become better prepared for future submissions. It gives you an opportunity to fine tune your template/proposals using the feedback and subsequently make better submissions.

Learning from feedback is crucial for personal and professional growth. If you have specific feedback or questions about the previous response, feel free to provide more details. Constructive feedback helps me better understand your needs and deliver more tailored and helpful responses in the future.

Acknowledge and process the emotions associated with setbacks, then deliberately focus on the positive outcomes and achievements. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, fosters a sense of accomplishment, reinforces your commitment to the cause, and provides the energy needed to overcome challenges. By balancing the acknowledgment of failures with the celebration of victories, you maintain a positive perspective and drive for continued impactful grassroots organizing.

Rejection is actually an important measure of successfully breaking out of your standard list of supporters. When you apply only to supporters who love your work, you rarely experience rejection. When you begin your strategy of diversifying your funding sources, there will be lots of rejection—but that's part of trying out new avenues. Don't take rejection as a sign that you are doing something wrong or that you should stop the effort to find new sponsors. Use it as an opportunity to learn and refine your strategy.

Always be on the lookout for new sources of information as you never know when a current resource either online or human no longer be available. Don't' be a snob be nice to everyone...How many white color professionals had to rely on a janitor to get them into or out of the office afterhours or that new intern who your colleagues may look through like glass but you went out of your way to be kind to and you need extra manpower/pair of hands? Such reservoirs of built-up goodwill/positive energy will always pay off with a new source of information which can only benefit you in the long run. .