The Most Challenging of Times

Marianne G. Briscoe, Ph.D., ACFRE

As shock after economic shock shakes our world, philanthropy and nonprofits have been hit hard. We know that managers are making painful cuts in both staff and services.

Keep your donors close and your prospects closer

In hard times it is natural to want to hunker down. We think that is the biggest mistake a fundraising program can make right now. Famous military strategist Sun-tau said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Donors and prospects are certainly our friends, not our enemies. But we urge you to “keep your donors close and your prospects closer.”

It may not be timely to ask a donor or prospect for a major gift right now. But you need to keep your connections alive and your story in front of each one. When times get better you want to be remembered and appreciated for what you did during the hard times. And you just never know who has the will and the resources to make a gift now. Don’t decide for your donors that they can’t give. Be understanding if they can’t; but be sure they know you can still do important things with their gifts.

Resilient philanthropy

Philanthropy endures, and sustains. The best historical account I have seen on this topic is “Resilient Philanthropy,” by Bradford Wm. Voigt in the Sept-Oct 2008 issue of Advancing Philanthropy, available online at the AFP Web site or by contacting Brakeley Briscoe.