What's Most Revealing of An Organization's Attitude Toward Donors and Philanthropy: How Advancement Is Viewed and Treated High-functioning philanthropy-seeking organizations are: Committed to better serve, not expecting to be served for surviving Consciously grateful for the support they receive, not falsely expectant or righteously entitled Accountable, transparent and inter-connected to community, not reflexively self-referential and self-reverential In such cultures, advancement is a central, strategic, integrated function and shared responsibility. In such cultures, the leaders, including the board chair and chief executive, constantly remind their organizations of the opportunities and obligations attendant to the pursuit and preservation of philanthropy. Unfortunately, there are too few high-functioning cultures. Degrees of dysfunction can be readily assessed by looking at how the larger culture views advancement, not just the office and those who people it, but the function itself. Some examples are below.
Everything an organisation has today is a direct result of the previous decisions and actions they took - we all get to harvest the seed we planted.....both good and bad. Great post Jim 👍
Spot On Jim Langley
"Mechanical mowing"... Such. A. Thing. I've experienced this in cultures where, to your first point, staff nurturing supporters is invited to submit budgets and strategy, only to then operationalize it and hear, "Oh, no...we're not going to invest in donor systems or strategy. Just ask them for their major gift through our Gala or Golf event!" Those that over-mow become overlooked.
Love this! Well said.
Yep!
Helping fundraisers help donors experience the joy of philanthropy | Director, Gift Planning Services, University System of MD | Owner, Akorn Consulting Group, LLC | Diversity makes us stronger | Opinions my own
12moI suspect what’s true for donors would also be true for advancement staff.