Fundraising is Funny

Fundraising shops can be a zoo! And we know your shop has all kinds of work styles. No one has to get eaten. 👊Punchline: When it comes to organizational values and outcomes we should all be pulling toward the same goal. Assume positive intent. Take care of your people and find a balance that works for you.  Resources Mentioned: Lynne's book: T-Rexes vs Kangaroos Connect with Fundraising is Funny...

Ever had someone badger you over an "urgent" email that wasn't at all on your radar? We thought so. Because humans are funny like that. We all have different ways of communicating and preferred (and not so preferred) methods for doing so. 👊 Punchline: If you aren't communicating well with someone, ask them about their preferred style and adapt as necessary. We can meet in the middle - our favorit...

We've seen a lot of hilarious things in our careers and on thing's certain - auctions never cease to amaze! From the countless hours of staff time consumed to the most random auction items, we've just gotta laugh. 👊 Punchline: How much time (and stuff) is wasted when we aren't intentional in our fundraising efforts? Evaluate what you're doing and be mindful of the message we're sending.  Connect...

What are the gimmicks in our industry that have always made you laugh? (We know a few just popped into your head) 👊 Punchline: Honor your mission and your beneficiaries by not making it gimmicky and tell the truth. Connect with Fundraising is Funny Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Lynne + DRG Group Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Connect with Clay + TCB Fundraising Website |...

Have you had one of those situations where somebody has used numbers either against you or just not in a way that made sense for you? Tune into this episode as we share how to combat the number blues. 👊 Punchline: The reality is, what we measure as organizations can mean different things. Don't compare yourself to an organization that isn't doing the exact same thing. You only have to be better t...

There's no way around it. We gotta laugh at the fact that billions of dollars are sitting in donor advised funds (DAFs) and not going to charities - or else we'll cry. And how are we reporting, stewarding and tagging them in our database? 👊Punchline: Due diligence is key when working with DAFs, just like it is with any gift. Be conscious of a third party involved in the relationship, watch those...

Remember that time you came across a contact report that made your eyes bug? 👀 We've all been there. But boy howdy, we're chatting through one example that had us questioning how/why they exist and how to cultivate with honor. 👊Punchline: Contact reports exist to show how a relationship is evolving. As you're reporting, remember personal ethics and dignity in our profession. Connect with Fundrai...

"Low Hanging Fruit?" 🤨 Let's face it, our sector's words are weird. And littered with bizarre acronyms. And after awhile, we kinda get used to them until a newbie enters the picture and says, "ummm, please define." Those who are generous are the best of us, and some of our jargon gets in the way of us remembering that 👊Punchline: Do we think about the way we talk about donors?  Connect with Fund...

Repeat after us: no donor is the same. And digging in beyond surface-level data can illuminate why two gents who own castles in England are two very different humans with different interests and giving motivations. 👊Punchline: Assumptions can sink relationships without the proper context. Digging into your data to understand the heart of a donor is game-changing for long-term connection. Connect...

Oh mercy. It's the signage conversation we've all experienced (and may carry the emotional scars to prove it🤕). Whether it's tracking correct spelling, ensuring we've uncoupled appropriately, or "where the heck did maintenance put my donor wall after the renovation?!" - there's much to learn from the way we name spaces and honor donors. 👊Punchline: Assess where value and stewardship can be best...

A recent survey shows 100% of nonprofits need to be asking bigger and better questions. Do you have a culture of surveying, and are you (gulp) asking questions that you already have in your database? 👊Punchline: Asking questions in short form + with a point + have actionable items = feedback GOLD. Connect with Fundraising is Funny Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Lynne + DRG...

We've all seen the unbelievable and disbelievable in our work. But there's just something maniacally funny about the oddest experiences that inform our work. 👊Punchline: Getting to know your donors (beyond the surface level) is essential to responding to the inevitable with grace and understanding. Also, have an internal plan when things go wrong. Mentions World Central Kitchen by José Andres Con...

The battle lines have been drawn and its generosity vs philanthropy🥊 Anybody can be generous, and honoring however a person wants to give truly honors the love of humankind. Do we value generosity or philanthropy more at our organizations? 👊Punchline: Generosity is bigger than a financial gift. Once we see beyond that which we can gift, our mission and its footprint compound exponentially. PS: m...

We don't like change. And no we're not talking about the coins in your pocket. In this episode, we dive into the peculiarities of nonprofit business cards, explore the resistance to change within the sector, and discuss the importance of embracing new communication mediums. We share laughs while examining the prevalence of fax numbers and the absence of cell phone numbers on business cards, and di...

You know your stuff. You've studied, you've failed, you've tested and followed good advice. Let's talk (and laugh) about when we've had our work overworked by non-fundraising experts.  🤣📚 Get ready to dive into the funny and often frustrating world of nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on case statements and communications! Join us as we discuss the challenges, pitfalls, and amusing stories of...

👋 Welcome to Fundraising is Funny! 🤣📈 Join Lynne Wester and T. Clay Buck every week as they share laughs and 🕵️‍♀️ case studies from the world of nonprofit fundraising. 🌎 🤪 The show highlights ridiculous situations that occur within the sector, as well as ethical questions that need to be addressed. Each episode features entertaining stories with a moral lesson. 👥 All names of people and org...