It’s About the Money, stupid!

Some people don’t like me stating the obvious …. “it’s about the money, stupid” … but the sooner the reality of what it is to be a fundraising professional sinks in, the better.

At the end of the day, the most important criteria being used to measure the effectiveness of a fundraising professional is her/his ability to raise money.  Period.

It’s not the number and quality of relationships nurtured.  It’s not the quality of the materials being produced for communicating with our prospective donors.  It’s not the ability to ‘schmooze’ and ‘work a room.  It’s the amount of money raised for the organization.

Keeping focused on the key objective of raising money, and not letting our attention wander, allows us to develop strength in the areas of ‘how’ to reach our goal … like the best ways to nurture relationships; the best way to design quality support materials; and the best way to work a room.  All important skills to master … but nothing,  nothing, NOTHING is more important that the ultimate goal of raising money.

If you are ever unsure of the primacy of this objective, and need reminding … just ask your Board and/or your CEO about their point of view.   They’ll tell it to you straight.  The equation is really quite simple … your organization’s ability to delivery services is DIRECTLY CORRELATED to your organization’s ability to raise money.  The more money you raise, the more services you can deliver and the better you are able to service your organization’s mission.

Be a good fundraising professional.  Hone your best practice.  Master the necessary skills.  Use ethical decision making at all times.  But never forget, the most important thing at the end of the day, is how much money you have raised for your organization.