Unlocking Your Nonprofit’s Potential: Shared Ownership in Fundraising
It’s a phrase that can be both frustrating to hear as a leader, and quick to be uttered inadvertently by any of us… “it’s not my job.” Fact is, when you are starting a nonprofit, or you’ve got a team of just a couple, EVERY job is your job, from janitorial to accounting to major donors, and serving the beneficiaries of your work.
As your organization grows, no doubt one of the departments that should grow first is your development department (donor care, donor services, etc.- call it what you will). Then, as that department gets up and running, yourself and others can naturally drift in thinking toward the big idea that, “the development department brings in the money…” in a sense, consciously or not, shifting the responsibility of fundraising to one person or department.
While the bulk of logistics… donor communication, gift tracking, grant writing, etc., is the responsibility of the development director and/or department, fundraising is the job of every member of your nonprofit’s team, from janitor to Executive Director, no matter if your shop is 1 person or 100+ people strong.
Here’s what I mean- the path by which a person who shows any interest at all in your work becomes a giver to your work is as varied as you can imagine, with sometimes dozens of various touch points along the way, from conversations on airplanes to coffee with a neighbor, or introductions at a church picnic that grow into major donors. As a result, every team member in your nonprofit bears a responsibility to be able to communicate the mission, vision, and impact of your nonprofit.
Can you and your team recite the mission of your nonprofit? Is everyone in the organization empowered and equipped to walk a potential giver through the problem your nonprofit exists to solve, how you solve it, and how their financial support can make an impact?
“Ultimately, growing a culture of shared ownership in fundraising isn't about adding another to-do to everyone's already very long to-do list.”
It's about cultivating a collective understanding that every interaction, every conversation, and every action reflects on the organization's mission.
By empowering each team member, you create a network of authentic storytellers, transforming your nonprofit into a unified force driven by a singular purpose. That is what truly fuels sustainable growth and lasting impact.
If you’re just starting up a nonprofit, or are trying everything you can to scale up, but struggling - sign up for our FREE, virtual Launchpad Workshop: Essentials for Startup & Small Nonprofits.
We’ll tackle 3 critical areas - fundraising, mission, and marketing - that are vital for nonprofit success and overcoming the challenges of launching strong.
It’s FREE, but space is LIMITED, so sign up today!