Contrary to popular opinion, philanthropy is not just about giving money. It’s about concern for all humankind. Nonprofits are inherently designed to work on behalf of those in need or to support important environmental, health, political or other causes. That said, philanthropy is based on the desire to promote the welfare of others. While this manifests through charitable gifts, the practice itself is not strictly financial.
Your mission is your endgame – not the money.
While donations are a necessary element of your nonprofit’s operations, they should not be the endgame. Your organization should focus on its mission, not only how much you can raise in a given month or year. Make sure all of your staff – volunteers, board members and fundraisers – know that your nonprofit’s cause is what is truly important. After all, to build a culture of philanthropy at your nonprofit, you must first change your organization’s attitude toward philanthropy and fund development overall.
How can you help build a culture of philanthropy?
To help craft a culture of philanthropy at your organization, start by educating your staff, volunteers, board members and your community. Hold internal training sessions for people directly involved in your organization and educational events for the public. To build this philanthropic culture, your organization also needs to:
- Repair the connection between gifts and donor engagement. Gifts are essential to keeping your nonprofit running. However, if you start treating your donors like they are ATMs, you may not have their support for much longer. To create an authentic culture of philanthropy, you must bridge the gap between the funds and the engagement levels of those who give. Get your donors involved in your organization’s operations by inviting them to volunteer on a working committee or attend organizational events. Even if they cannot interact with your work directly, make sure you send them informational updates, thank you’s, call them regularly and highlight their ongoing support in your quarterly newsletters.
- Ensure that everyone is an ambassador for your organization. From the rank-and-file employees to your president, everyone at your organization is an ambassador. As such, everyone at your nonprofit must treat those they meet with genuine care and respect. For example, your board members should talk about your organization’s good works with their loved ones and colleagues. Additionally, your personnel must be donor- and client-centric with their actions and communications. Within this same line of thought, you should start this approach from the top down. Lead by example at your organization to inspire those around you. If you want your staff to be ambassadors, you must first show them how it’s done.
If you want to create a lasting culture of philanthropy at your nonprofit, consider investing in donor management software to improve your donor relations and nonprofit’s technology. That way, you can spend less time sifting through old data sheets and more time interacting with your donors and the people you serve. Call Eleo software to speak with one of our dedicated team members today to learn more about how our services and commitment support nonprofits like yours!
