Ross Pfannenstiel, Hartsook Executive Vice President, eHartsook on Scouting Editor
2020 Summer Issue
Hartsook has a decades-long tradition of helping Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils – with over $166 million raised for BSA. The Hartsook team helps improve councils’ major gift prospect identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation; grant research and proposal writing; campaign assessments; estate giving; annual fund planning and implementation; leadership development and more. To learn how Hartsook can help your local council, contact us at [email protected] or at (866) 630-8500.
In these last several months, I’ve been impressed by the courage, conviction and tenacity of frontline fundraisers who passionately believe in the power of philanthropy. Several principles have emerged that may benefit you in your work advancing your council’s important mission. I call them “lessons learned while leaning into the headwinds.”
Headwinds blow directly against us, creating oppositional, forward motion. Flying into a headwind provides lift that works against gravity. Think of Newton’s Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
There always will be headwinds of opposition for raising money: “It’s not the right time to raise money for our council, because… ” Researchers have found that sadness and fear trigger a part of the brain connected to memory, making negative thoughts more vivid than positive ones. It, literally, comes more naturally to be negative than positive.
“Headwinds” of negativity come at us all the time. But as we lean in and move forward, we can gain new heights. I’ve learned the following lessons from leaning into the headwinds: Committed fundraisers give donors courage. Courageous fundraisers give donors confidence that Boy Scouts of America’s mission will continue long into the future. By keeping your donors informed, and inviting them to consider supporting the council, you help convey and multiple that confidence. Difficulty amplifies opportunities. For many organizations, challenging times provide a platform for expressing the mission in clearer, more meaningful terms. Don’t be shy about sharing your council’s story and good work. Donors look to fundraising leaders. Fundraising leaders are able to demonstrate clearly needs, solutions and outcomes. Nearly every time donors are asked what helped them come to a decision about giving, the fundraiser’s role is mentioned.
Right now, we are on the fundraising frontlines of an extraordinary time – an opportunity to give donors the personal satisfaction, enjoyment and fulfillment of giving gifts of significance. Continue moving forward, into the headwinds, serving as a bold representative of the council you serve.
Don’t Hit Pause on Your Fundraising
Traditionally, summer is a busy time for Scouting… merit badges, camping, pinewood derby events, jamborees, etc. But with the advent of COVID-19 concerns, many councils are looking for ways to plan for better days ahead. Good news: Hartsook can help.
Many of our clients are raising more money than ever, because they didn’t hit pause on their fundraising plans. If your council is looking for tailored strategies to get things going and build momentum, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or 866.630.8500.
Serving BSA Councils from Coast to Coast and Around the World
Hartsook has assisted Boy Scouts of America councils from coast to coast and in Europe, including the following councils:
BSA Blackhawk Area Council Rockford, Ill.
BSA Boston Minuteman Council Milton, Mass.
BSA Coastal Carolina Council Charleston, S.C.
BSA Cradle of Liberty Council Wayne, Pa.
BSA Crater Lake Council Central Point, Ore.***
BSA Dan Beard Council Cincinnati, Ohio
BSA Grand Teton Council Idaho Falls, Idaho*
BSA Greater Cleveland Council Cleveland, Ohio*
BSA Greenwich Council Greenwich, Conn.**
BSA Heart of America Council Kansas City****
BSA Hudson Valley Council Salisbury Mills, N.Y.**
BSA Mississippi Valley Council Quincy, Ill.
BSA National Council Irving, Texas**
BSA Pacific Harbors Council Takoma, Wash.
BSA Pine Burr Area Council Hattiesburg, Miss.
BSA Quivira Council Wichita, Kan.**
BSA Susquehanna Council Williamsport, Pa.
BSA Trails West Council Belleville, Ill.**
BSA Transatlantic Council Brussels, Belgium**
BSA Westark Area Council Fort Smith, Ark.**
BSA Westchester-Putnam Council Hawthorne, N.Y.*
*Each asterisk represents an additional council engagement
To schedule a Hartsook consultant to speak at your council or event email [email protected]
Virtual Conference • August 13-14, 2020 Top Hands Boy Scouts of America Ross Pfannentiel
Virtual Conference • September 16-17, 2020 Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Science of Philanthropy Initiative Conference 2020 Performance-Based Fundraiser Compensation: An Analysis of Preference, Prevalence and Effect Matthew J. Beem Hartsook: Sponsor
