October 13, 2010

Are you sure you want to list donors by gift size? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Think first. Then decide.

Here’s a comment from Rebekah says: “Because of your writing about fundraising and inequality, I made the decision in this year’s annual report not to recognize donors by gift amount. I just made an alphabetical list.

“We’re a social justice organization. I know how deep many workers have to dig in their pockets to make a donation. I’ve been uncomfortable with listing donors by amount. But I had picked up that that’s what you ‘have’ to do to make donors who give larger amounts feel thanked. Simone’s work gave me the permission I needed to stop doing that.”

You don’t have to do what Rebekah did. But at least think before you act. How about talking with your Fund Development Committee? Maybe talk with some donors, too.

Read Philanthropy’s Moral Dilemma in my Free Download Library. Read my blogs, too.

Here’s what else Rebekah said: “Both you and Tom really have made an impact on me. I’ve added you to the handful of fundraisers who I think really have something worthwhile to teach to small, grassroots organizations. Keep up your great work.”

Thank you, Rebekah.

 

About Simone Joyaux

A consultant specializing in fund development, strategic planning, and board development, Simone P. Joyaux works with all types and sizes of nonprofits, speaks at conferences worldwide, and teaches in the graduate program for philanthropy at Saint Mary’s University, MN. Her books, Keep Your Donors and Strategic Fund Development, are standards in the field.

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