The Mikuska Group  

“I’m a fundraiser…”

You’re in a networking situation, or at a family gathering, and the inevitable question arises, “So, what do you do?”.

You steel yourself for this one. “I’m a fundraiser with a nonprofit raising money to ________.” You know the reaction that’s coming in most instances. “Oh! I’d better hang on to my wallet!” or “How hard are you going to twist my arm?”

You politely laugh it off and tell them all the good things your organization is doing in the community, in the hopes that they’ll support you at some point. Then they slink away before you can ask them for money.

Yikes! I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. How does this sound instead: “Actually, as a fundraiser, I impact lives and enable change in the community.” That’s a very different conversation to have!

Fundraising is a noble profession, and you should be proud to be part of it. In fact, a think tank at Plymouth University in the UK has launched a Fundraising Manifesto that you can post in your office and show your pride. Entitled This is a Fundraising Office (based on This is a printing office manifesto), they encourage fundraisers everywhere to download and share it.

Fundraising Manifesto

Now, don’t you feel proud to be a fundraiser?

Laura Mikuska

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