I once told a client that “MacGyver” was not a compliment.
To put in context, she was so proud that she was able to “repurpose” this item or “upcyle” this previously used decoration. It was a tough conversation for me. Her work was outstanding and she was saving money all over the place – $10 here, $35 there. I think the most was over $100 for some floral arrangements.
One of her colleagues came in and complimented her with “She is our own little MacGyver putting this and that together”
Here is where the tough conversation came in. A compliment that put a smile on her face and the reality I was about to smack her with. Every creative activity was putting us farther away from our overall fundraising goal.
Every moment spent saving a few dollars, is time spent not asking for sponsorships or significant gifts that can help you to achieve her goal. In the time you spend trying to save $30, you could be asking for a $500 or a $5000 sponsorship.
Fundraisers are amazing. They make events come together with ease. In moments, they can draft an amazing letter. They seem to be able to find $10,000 just when you need it.
For the skilled fundraisers, this is due to years of planning and practice. They have a toolbox that they have built. The proper image, crafting words that will motivate gifts via email or snail mail, the perfect mission based gift that will motivate a donor.
Like MacGyver with a pocketknife, stick of gum and a paperclip, they seem to save the day. In any stressful situation they seem to pull it together almost single handedly. It is reactionary and limits their ability to impact the mission of the organization in the long term.
Allow your fundraising staff to have the resources necessary to impact your organization. They are the money that fuels your mission, and your mission fuels their passion. Be prepared to help, even if it is only with a paperclip.
