Why donor-focused fundraising doesn't work

Almost everyone says donor-focused fundraising is a good thing. But look into what exactly donor-focused fundraising means, and one of your most common findings will be this: So-called donor focused-fundraising is fundraising with a style and approach that the fundraiser feels good about. Which isn't donor-focused at all. In fact, it's probably donor-ignoring. Possibly even anti-donor fundraising. When you really focus on donors, you slam straight into the truth that you aren't your donors and your donors aren't you -- thus aiming at them means missing yourself. And vice-versa. True donor-focused fundraising will probably not appeal to you. That's one of the ways you can tell when you're getting it right: It's not tickling your fancy. It seems corny, simplistic, and old-fashioned. Donor-focused fundraising really is the love-fest it's cracked up to be. Just not in the way many fundraisers want.

from Future Fundraising Now http://ift.tt/2qeICJx