209 | How can fundraising professionals push a little harder on their DEI efforts?

Today I had the pleasure of talking with Jessica, a member of the Central VA Chapter of AFP where she chairs their chapter’s Diversity and Inclusive Giving Fellowship. Efforts like this seem to be a part of a broad grassroots quality improvement effort that usually only works from the bottom-up. I hope these local projects are successful in addressing concerns that have been overlooked in our space.

As I shared with Jessica, as the number of DEI initiatives continues to increase, my concern is whether they go far enough - I believe we’ve got to be willing to push the envelope a wee bit further. If we simply encourage a now more diverse pool of fundraisers to immerse themselves in nothing more than arms-length fundraising, I don’t believe we’re helping anyone. The fact remains that the fundraiser most in demand and best compensated will be the one who can confidently sit at the lunch table, engage in meaningful conversations, and boldly ask for significant gifts. 

As always, we are very grateful to our friends at CueBack for sponsoring The Fundraising Talent Podcast. 

Fundraisers, if you have a big idea or bold opinion that you’d like to share in the new year, please reach out and let us know. We are currently booking our first quarter guests for 2021. 

#unpredictable  #responsivefundraising