The Fundraising Talent Podcast
Business:Non-Profit
I am always grateful to our guests on The Fundraising Talent Podcast because sometimes they help me make sense of some of the ideas that are rolling around in my head. I, like many of you, am trying to reconcile what’s happening on the other side of the planet with the challenges of everyday life at home. Today, I asked Debra whether the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine was an opportunity for fundraising to live up to its potential and whether there will be things that play out in the weeks and months ahead that we will need to understand on a more existential level.
Before we dived deep into these questions, Debra introduced herself as someone who found her way into fundraising because she was “tired of selling high priced shoes to women who should know better.” Now, after having tried to retire, she finds herself in the trenches trying to help charities discover a bold, brave way of funding whatever it is they set out to do in the world.
Evidently, Debra and I prefer see fundraising through what is known as the symbolic lens. This is where we see the opportunity to nurture generosity, connectivity, and meaning. Debra wants us to understand that the meaning of what we’re doing can easily get lost in the tactics. She wants us to see ourselves as being more than master technicians who can ensure the most impressive outcomes from an appeal letter or our next special event. Debra insists that truly generous people don’t need their names out on the sides of buildings. At its best, fundraising should afford us an opportunity to stand alongside the people of Ukraine helping to feed and care for children in the midst of a war zone.
As always, we are especially grateful to our friends at CueBack for sponsoring The Fundraising Talent Podcast. If you’d like to learn more about hosting the Responsive Fundraising roadshow in your local community, email mefor more information. And, if you’d like to download Responsive’s latest edition of Carefully & Critically, just click here.
#186 | How can fundraisers ensure that donors aren’t zoning out at their virtual events?
#185 | How can men be allies with women in the fundraising profession?
#184 | Why can't fundraising professionals just learn how to get along?
#183 | How can fundraising professionals better navigate radical uncertainty?
#182 | Perhaps fundraising is more about story-listening rather than story-telling?
#181 | What does it mean to be a Black woman in fundraising today?
#180 | To ensure more diversity among our donors, can fundraising become more exploratory work?
#179 | Can a nonprofit with a historically homogeneous culture redeem itself in today's climate?
#178 | Perhaps more automation is not what fundraising needs right now?
#177 | What are fundraising professionals thinking about the future of special events?
#176 | How can fundraising be a place where we show up as our best self?
#175 | How might the expectations for fundraising professionals be evolving?
#174 | Can the annual fund deliver on more than efficiency, predictability and control?
#173 | How do WOC show up authentically in their fundraising roles?
#172 | Will Zoom ultimately enhance or impede our productivity as fundraisers?
#171 | Have we got our approach to developing fundraising talent all wrong?
#170 | What if we’ve got the essence of fundraising all wrong?
#169 | Does fundraising really have to be mechanical and resemble an assembly line?
#168 | Is another pivot really what fundraising professionals needs to be talking about right now?
#167 | When are fundraising professionals going to get back on the road?
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Social Dallas Podcast
Change Church Podcast
Advocacy Scoop Podcast
Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon
Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications