The 21 habits of poor fundraisers…

1. Not listening – the donor know best, but not according to some
2. Thinking it’s all about money – it’s not a transaction, it’s a gift. Money is the outcome of feeling good, trust, inspiration, engagement and action
3. Trying to do it all themselves – from selling tickets to flogging stuff. We are nothing without the active, committed goodwill and actions of volunteers, philanthropists, leaders
4. Claiming income that isn’t theirs to meet their budget – me first, charity second, donor third. Mercenary above common good
5. Flogging stuff that no one wants – Look at my clever thing, you simply must be interested
6. Not doing what you say you will when you say you will do it – most simple to fix, most often done, most common complaint
7. Not saying thank you – cardinal sin. Fundraisers who don’t say thank you or show appreciation should be tortured (this is metaphorical in case you don’t have a sense of humour – see point 21)
8. Not asking – the core of the job but remarkably difficult for some, with most displaying a brilliant capacity to fill time with everything else
9. Not working with others or seeing the bigger picture – no perspective or ability to see outside their own world leads to fundraising and relational cul-de-sacs
10. Not knowing the difference and impact each donation makes – easy to get wrong in the focus to get cash, often just forgotten though
11. Not thinking ahead and building a pipeline – short-term, poor planning, ineffective management
12. Not having a personal story or connection with what you are fundraising for, or not even trying to connect – if you don’t care why should they? It about credibility and authenticity.
13. Being frightened to do the right thing – easier said than done maybe. One to mull over a glass or two
14. Not my job syndrome – 1970’s union nonsense. Displays the worst values
15. Not keeping up with what’s going on out there – dinosaurs, no curiosity, no edge
16. Wearing bad shoes – looking a mess wont get confidence, and wont get gifts
17. Not trying to improve each time – no capacity for learning and self-improvement means falling behind not growing or being better
18. Not being able to function without a pack – ‘packitis’ – a common medical condition with symptoms involving a fixed staring empty expression, with the afflicted unable to have a conversation without a reassuring toolkit to hand. Excuse for doing nothing usually, (even if a toolkit or pack helps of course)
19. Not aspiring high enough – boring, no passion, small, letting your cause down
20. Creating division rather than harmony – life’s too short to put up with these people
21. Having absolutely no perspective or sense of humour – self-explanatory, see point 7

Donors demand better. Charities need better. The world deserves better.