The Power of Philanthropy

The Power of Philanthropy™

“Give your life to something that will outlive you.” I received this priceless piece of wisdom early in my career from professional Scouter and Independence Plan for Neighborhood Council Founder Dick Hettrick. His advice has grounded my fundraising philosophy for decades.

“Most people waste their time pursuing things other people have convinced them are important,” he added. “But those are things that will die with the doing.” I knew he was right.

Every day, around the world, I have the opportunity to engage with fundraisers who are diligently, responsibly and even intensely doing their jobs – yet, they are often missing something foundational: the “why” behind “what” they do. Here are three things to understand about the nobility of fundraising and the Power of Philanthropy™.

Fundraising is more than a job.

For me, fundraising has always been more than a job. It is a way of life. Unfortunately, for too many in the profession, fundraising is little more than a set of mechanical steps and learned behaviors that lead to the same outcomes year after year.

Fundraising is about more than you (or the organization).

The most successful and satisfied fundraisers know what it means to care about and commit to something bigger than themselves, something that will outlive them. They understand the impact their work has on the lives of others, and this is what motivates them.

Fundraising is about others.

A win is not solely about “closing the gift.” It is about “…closing the gap in educational opportunities,” “…providing shelter for the homeless,” “…adding a new wing to the hospital,” and meeting limitless other needs. Fundraising is not about receiving a check, but about giving donors the opportunity to be part of something larger than them that will last beyond their lifetimes.

As Chairman and CEO, I am proud to work with Kinetic’s team of nearly 100 professionals. They certainly know how to help nonprofits raise more money. More importantly, they understand and care about the impact these dollars achieve.

Matthew J. Beem, PhD, CFRE, Chairman and CEO, matt@kineticfundraising.com

Join Us on the Growing Philanthropy Tour

Next stops on the road to achieving Kinetic’s mission of growing philanthropy by 25 percent in the next 20 years:

Pensacola, Fla.
April 16, 2019
IMPACT 100
Nonprofit Workshop & Social
Grant Me the Money! Define, Prepare, Apply & Award
Karin Cox

Denver
May 29-31, 2019
Boy Scouts of America
2019 National Annual Meeting, Booth 405
Ross Pfannenstiel
Jason Wood

Washington, D.C.
May 30-31, 2019
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
2019 Annual Conference
Data-driven Donor Identification, Cultivation, Solicitation and Appreciation Developing a Comprehensive Fundraising Plan
Jason Wood

Washington, D.C.
July 11, 2019
2019 Bridge Conference
AFP of Washington DC Metro Area Chapter
Prepared for Success: Demystifying the Major Gift Campaign
Karin Cox

Los Angeles, Calif.
October 10-12, 2019
2019 Economic Science Association
North American Meetings
John List

Paris
November 14-15, 2019
4th INSEAD
Randomized Controlled Trials
John List

Past Stops on the Tour

Resources for Smart Fundraising Available on Kindle

Keep up to date on the latest fundraising trends with the Kindle ASR Media collection:

• Fundraising Leadership – The definitive source for empowering board members to become pro-active fundraising leaders by Karin L. Cox
• Performance-Driven Fundraising – Handy, yet entertaining reference tool for new and seasoned fundraisers by Matthew J. Beem

 

On the Web

Facebook: Become a Fan and a Friend. Fundraising tips, event photos, news and updates – see what’s new At Kinetic by becoming a fan of us on Facebook.

Visit the Kinetic website for:
– Educational opportunities
– Books/reference articles
– Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with thousands of fundraising professionals. We welcome your best practices contributions or comments. Send to Strategies for Success editor Karin Cox, kcox@kineticfundraising.com. If you’d like a free subscription to Strategies for Success or its monthly companion, Philanthropy Success, contact info@kineticfundraising.com.