Advisor_11/18/08_Quote

“Law-watchers say ‘hard cases make bad law.’ We could probably add a nonprofit corollary to that: Crazy donors make bad fundraising.

The For Impact Daily Nuggets Blog looks at this issue at The Irrational Investor, making the observation that around 1 out of 40 prospects are ‘completely irrational.’ They ask weird questions. They have eccentric agendas. They just throw you for a loop. ... It’s always best to focus on the normal part of any audience you engage. Nearly all of your donors are reasonable, like-minded, clear-headed, and rational. Aim your efforts at these people. The effort you put into dealing with your irrational donors is time you aren’t spending with the normal ones who give you all the money. And no amount of prep is going to help you turn a crazy person sane.”

— Nov. 17, “How to deal with irrational donors: Don’t,” posted by Jeff Brooks on his Donor Power Blog.