The power of ignorance in fundraising

Scene: Board meeting for the very small organization where I’m a board member.

The all-volunteer fundraising committee is presenting a plan to launch a monthly giving campaign. After years of struggling to do this, we finally had an online giving platform that made it easy.

People are nodding. It looks good. After the presentation, it’s time for Board comments.

One board member speaks up: “I really hate the subscription model. I just tune it out whenever I see it. We should not do this.”

Another board members chimes in: “I know what you mean!”

The group teeters for a moment on deciding against monthly giving. Because one member thinks they don’t like the subscription model.

A significant opportunity could have been gone. At least until enough board turnover will allow a reconsideration.

It happens all the time: Board members or other nonprofit leaders make ignorant, harmful decisions based on gut feelings or “intuition.” Often, there’s nobody at the table with knowledge to warm them away. Or worse, leaders are not interested in knowledge and unwilling to listen to it.

As long as leaders choose to remain ignorant, fundraising will suffer.

Part of your job as an awake, aware fundraiser is to fight the good fight for knowledge over ignorance. I’ve seen it work many times — leaders’ eyes opening. Fundraising programs blossoming as a result. It happens. And if you can make it happen, it will be a source of joy and pride you’ll treasure.

In those cases where it cannot happen — where leaders simply won’t listen and actively choose ignorance … you have a choice: Keeping fighting, or go someplace with proper leadership.

I don’t advise that lightly. Creating change is better. If it’s possible. You are gifted with time, talent, and knowledge. Don’t let someone waste it because they can’t listen.