The Difference Between Fundraising and Development
Fundraising. Resource Development. It’s the same thing, right? Or is it?
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but I think there’s a significant difference, especially for folks working in a small shop. When you’re overworked and maybe overwhelmed, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of raising money. You need the dollars, right? Gotta make budget, right? Programs can’t be delivered without funds, right?
Right, right, and right.
Except that sometimes it’s wrong to focus just on the dollars. Consider these situations:
Case A: The executive director of a small nonprofit is responsible for everything — administration, fundraising, supporting the board, and overseeing operations. The organization hosts a variety of small fundraising events throughout the year, which generate a considerable amount of publicity and attract lots of people through ticket sales.
Case B: A regional nonprofit produces a very popular 5K race that is highly anticipated each year among area runners. A local restaurant is the main sponsor and provides a lavish picnic at the end of the race to all the runners.
Case C: A well-known and respected local organization sends out an annual direct-mail piece in the fall. The appeal brings in a small amount of money, which goes directly toward the bottom line of its annual fundraising campaign.
This all sounds good right?
Except that it’s not. In each of these cases, money is being raised. But that’s about it. None of these activities are sustainable the way they are. None are being leveraged to their capacity. And there are problems that need to be addressed.
Here’s the rest of the story.
