“Major Gifts” shouted the Sorting Hat when it was placed upon my head. And that was that!
A strange start I know, but please bear with me.
When I left law and went into the world of fundraising, I was amazed at how regimented and siloed profession it was. Fundraisers were clearly distinguished and broken down into specific areas namely, Trusts and Foundations, Community, Middle Gift, Corporate and Major Gifts.
Roles were too frequently pre-determined by character traits and stereotypes. The major donors were excellent communicators and often regarded as the “party team” ,Trust and bit writers quiet and analytical, and corporate fundraisers with nerves of steel. It was almost like the sorting hat from Harry Potter was placed on your head and that was that and it. After that, it was hard to break into other areas and schools of fundraising once you had been “sorted”.
My experience has taught me however, that the best fundraising teams are those that work in collaboration, and not in silos. Silos inhibit fundraising but also limit opportunities for development and growth in fundraising professionals. It is also critical to remember that all fundraising is interlinked and that flexibility in fundraisers to do many types of work is crucial. Trust fundraisers will often need to take a more “major gift” approach to top end foundations and vice versa.
It is crucial to break down the silos and work towards a more integrated approach. A more fluid and holistic approach to fundraising is the way forward, and in this article, I will explore the importance of this strategy and how it can benefit your organisation. Breaking down the barriers between different fundraising departments and disciplines within your organisation and working together towards a common goal. By working collaboratively, you can harness the strengths of each team member and create a more cohesive and efficient fundraising strategy.
One of the key benefits of fundraising in this manner is the ability to leverage the expertise and resources of different fundraising skills and even other departments. For example, your marketing team can help create compelling messaging and promotional materials, while your finance team can provide valuable insights into budgeting and financial planning. By working together, you can create a more streamlined and effective fundraising campaign.
It is still astonishing how little this actually practiced in organisations .
Another advantage of less siloed approach is the ability to create a more holistic approach to donor engagement. Instead of focusing on one-off campaigns or events, you can develop long-term relationships with donors and engage them in a more meaningful way. This can lead to increased donor retention and loyalty, as well as higher levels of engagement and support. In addition, non-silo fundraising allows for greater flexibility and agility in responding to changing trends and opportunities.
Here are some suggestions and ideas for collaborative working:
1. Hosting joint fundraising events: Bringing together different fundraising teams to collaborate on organising fundraising events can help maximise resources and reach a larger donor base. For example, a nonprofit organisation may partner with a corporate sponsor to co-host a charity gala or auction.
2. Cross-promotion of campaigns: Fundraising teams can collaborate by cross-promoting each other's campaigns to their respective donor bases. This can help increase visibility and engagement with donors who may be interested in supporting multiple causes.
3. Sharing donor data and insights: Collaboration between fundraising teams can involve sharing donor data and insights to better understand donor behaviour and preferences. By combining efforts, teams can create more targeted and personalised fundraising strategies, leading to increased donor engagement and retention.
4. Collaborative grant applications: Fundraising teams can work together to identify and apply for grant opportunities that align with their respective missions and goals. By pooling resources and expertise, teams can increase their chances of securing funding and engaging with potential donors.
5. Matching gift programs: Collaboration between fundraising teams can involve establishing matching gift programs where donations made to one team are matched by another. This can incentivise donors to give more and increase engagement with both teams involved.
6. Joint donor stewardship efforts: Fundraising teams can collaborate on donor stewardship efforts by jointly thanking donors, providing updates on the impact of their contributions, and recognising their support. This can help build stronger relationships with donors and increase engagement with fundraising efforts.
By breaking down the barriers between departments, you can quickly adapt to new challenges and opportunities, and make data-driven decisions that are based on a more comprehensive understanding of your organisation's fundraising efforts.
To effectively implement a holistic fundraising strategy, it is important to foster a culture of collaboration and communication within your organisation. This can involve regular meetings and brainstorming sessions, as well as the use of shared tools and technology to facilitate information sharing and collaboration. In conclusion, non-silo fundraising is a powerful strategy that can help your organisation achieve its fundraising goals more effectively and efficiently.
Be prepared to face challenges such as:
1. Lack of communication and collaboration: Silos can often lead to departments working in isolation from each other, resulting in a lack of communication and collaboration. This can hinder the sharing of resources, information, and best practices.
2. Different goals and priorities: Different departments within an organisation may have their own goals and priorities, which can sometimes conflict with each other. This can make it difficult to align fundraising efforts and strategies across the organisation.
3. Resistance to change: Breaking down silos requires a cultural shift within an organisation, which can be met with resistance from staff members who are used to working in a siloed environment. This resistance to change can make it challenging to implement new processes and ways of working.
4. Lack of clarity and accountability: When departments are siloed, it can be difficult to establish clear lines of accountability and responsibility for fundraising efforts. This can lead to confusion and inefficiency, as well as a lack of ownership over fundraising goals and outcomes.
5. Inadequate technology and infrastructure: Siloed departments may have their own systems and databases for managing donor information and fundraising activities, which can make it difficult to share information and work collaboratively. Investing in technology and infrastructure that supports integrated fundraising efforts can help break down silos.
By breaking down the barriers between departments and working together towards a common goal, you can create a more integrated and impactful fundraising strategy that drives results.
As a wise wizard once said:
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
Published by
Edward Anthony Romain
Fundraising Consultant @ Romain Philanthropy | Member of The Chartered Institute of Fundraising | 11 years experience specialising in major and principal gifts, trusts and corporate fundraising.
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