Ever met a 5th grader who didn’t think they could be an astronaut, a pro athlete, and the world’s best YouTuber—all at the same time?
Kids don’t see limits. They assume things will work out.
And that kind of self-belief?
It’s powerful.
Now, let’s talk about fundraisers. We love a good doom and gloom story. “People aren’t giving like they used to!” “The economy is bad!" “No one reads emails anymore!”
There are more need for nonprofit services, with seemingly fewer resources to come by.
And the work you do, might feel increasingly difficult currently - which means, we're gonna need a bit of extra help to harness, what might be, an actual superpower:
Being Optimistic.
And before you, like my therapist, accuse me of being toxically positive with this kinda view and sending me a list of the worst or dumbest things happening politically, conversationally, or other - know that I'm coming at this with eyes wide open to the reality of how our sector is being held under a microscope.
And I'm also not suggesting you can't acknowledge that things are not all sunshine and rainbows and puppy dogs and ice cream.
I'm purely talking about what you can control, what you can navigate in your corner of the community, and how you can serve those under the umbrella of your mission.
Your clients and donors are also looking for the helpers, the bright light and the positive hot take.
Here are my thoughts: What if you believed your campaign, event, or pitch would succeed instead of assuming it wouldn’t?
And what if you took that optimism and ran with it.
I've got some ideas on how you can.
Starting with this simple belief:
The best fundraisers don’t just see problems—they see possibilities.
Celebrate every win, even the small ones.
A wise man once said, “Thursdays are for Celebrating.” He was right. And should probably win a Pulitzer for that concept alone.
Because we as nonprofit leaders are terrible at acknowledging our successes, because someone at some point in our fundraising careers, told us that we don’t’ want our supporters to think we don’t need more revenue for our programs. Well, that person was dumb.
At no point, in the history of any donor, has anyone of them, knowing what they know about your organization and the type of work you do, assumes you have enough money. They know. They get it. And they want to help. But they certainly don’t want to throw money at a cause that isn’t actually doing good work.
So freaking tell them about your good work….and wins!
Reframe setbacks as steppingstones.
Sometimes, though, the s#&! actually hits the fan, and your nonprofit needs some help in navigating tough situations. No need to wallow. Because that’s an opportunity for your supporters some show up like the superheroes they are!
Yes, something might feel like you took a step backwards, or the event you assumed was going to be a success was, not at all, as success.
And that gives you a really fun place to begin a conversation on what new path you are headed to move the needle forward.
And your donors get to help.
Make donors excited to invest in the future.
Listen, vision quests are not just for 40-year-old quarterbacks who tear their Achillies and have to deal with the mental unrest of the fact they have to throw the football for the New York Jets.
Nor are they just for board retreats and the quiet meditations you are forced to go on via the facilitator who uses books endorsed by Oprah to “center everyone.”
No, they are for your donors too – who really want to know where your nonprofit and the programs that need funding are headed.
Craft conversations with your supporters that focus on the next 3 years and all the good that can happen with them in your corner.
No one wants to back a sinking ship.
Donors are attracted to organizations who have a plan, a positive attitude on how it will accomplish said plan, and the optimism to see the challenge as just a step away from solving the issue.
Be the kind of fundraiser who makes people believe in what’s possible.
Because if a 5th grader can walk onto a field, convinced they’ll score the game-winning goal (despite never touching the ball all season), you can absolutely believe in your mission.
Let me know if you need a bit of an optimism shot in the arm. Or - mark your calendars for March 17th! And pick up your copy of Fundraise Like a 5th Grader!!!
You got this!
-Patrick
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