In Defense of Raising Money

Today, Seth Godin highlighted: In Defense of Raising Money: a Manifesto for NonProfit CEOs. Authored by Sasha Dichter, Director of Business Development for Acumen.

The manifesto is five pages long and only takes a few worthwhile minutes to read.

Read the piece. My commentary (an attempt at adding value) is below.

• “People think that asking for money is all about asking for money.” Sasha says it’s not. The resources come second. This is reinforcement that IMPACT DRIVES INCOME, not the other way around.
• “People think that storytelling is a gift, not a skill.” I think the skill comes in understanding how to be authentic. You’ve seen a lot of “effective” story tellers and some of them stink at “telling stories” yet they are so darned passionate they’re still effective because people still see the story.
• “Money = Power”. Nothing to say – Sasha has an AWESOME perspective on this.
• “I’m terrified you’ll say ‘no.'” I agree with Sasha, get over it. Be more terrified someone will not be fed because you didn’t ask.

Sasha closes with a call for a new language/vocabulary around fundraising. “If nothing else, then, we need a new word. Fundraising is about a transaction – I raise funds from you, you get nothing in return.”

Agreed.

I’m currently a fan of “Advancing the Vision.” And, while it may sound academic in some circles, those that ‘Advance the Vision’ can be Directors of Advancement or something similar. That’s what you do.