FWIW I found your theory about why financially secure folks find fundraising uncomfortable very compelling! I also just hate the performance of friendship anytime it is demanded--whether in fundraising, job seeking or whatever. Seems like a violation of my favorite part of being human.
One of the more insidious parts of this whole thing is how institutions that were once fully funded through public or private funds (museums, parks, campgrounds, schools, libraries, etc.) are now so dependent on a pay to play + donations funding model. It makes it doubly hard to support your local grassroots mutual aid organization when you also feel like your cultural institutions are going to go belly up without your support.
Ooof, yeah, I'm very grateful that my time in the nonprofit industrial complex trenches has so far entirely been at orgs that were funded by memberships or by the government, and that I've never had to do the fundraising thing, I would hate it. I'd also just like to say I enjoy giving you money, and I am glad you asked your readers to help fund your writing so you can devote more time to it!
I completely agree and I appreciate your fundraising references. I would only add that there is a foundational aspect of the reliance Americans seemingly have to charity that comes from our Calvinist origins -- and it seeps into EVERYTHING, even when we aren't Christian or religious.
I think Dan Pallotta does a good job of explaining. Interestingly, this video was the first assignment in my grad school class on nonprofit funding -- proof, perhaps, that nonprofits might eventually rise up? (LOL I don't actually think so)
another balanced and nuanced take on a touchy subject, thank you :) i for one am not very familiarity with the history of philanthropy in the country and found all that fascinating and like oh, yes, of course.
It's all so weird!
FWIW I found your theory about why financially secure folks find fundraising uncomfortable very compelling! I also just hate the performance of friendship anytime it is demanded--whether in fundraising, job seeking or whatever. Seems like a violation of my favorite part of being human.
One of the more insidious parts of this whole thing is how institutions that were once fully funded through public or private funds (museums, parks, campgrounds, schools, libraries, etc.) are now so dependent on a pay to play + donations funding model. It makes it doubly hard to support your local grassroots mutual aid organization when you also feel like your cultural institutions are going to go belly up without your support.
For a while I thought I'd be really good at grantwriting and prospect research, but it turned out it was all! So! Weird! Giving Tuesday?! :-o
Started to come in here and add some book recos, but of course you already have them covered in the notes.
Great topic, thanks.
Ooof, yeah, I'm very grateful that my time in the nonprofit industrial complex trenches has so far entirely been at orgs that were funded by memberships or by the government, and that I've never had to do the fundraising thing, I would hate it. I'd also just like to say I enjoy giving you money, and I am glad you asked your readers to help fund your writing so you can devote more time to it!
I completely agree and I appreciate your fundraising references. I would only add that there is a foundational aspect of the reliance Americans seemingly have to charity that comes from our Calvinist origins -- and it seeps into EVERYTHING, even when we aren't Christian or religious.
I think Dan Pallotta does a good job of explaining. Interestingly, this video was the first assignment in my grad school class on nonprofit funding -- proof, perhaps, that nonprofits might eventually rise up? (LOL I don't actually think so)
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong?language=en
another balanced and nuanced take on a touchy subject, thank you :) i for one am not very familiarity with the history of philanthropy in the country and found all that fascinating and like oh, yes, of course.
I would LOVE a full-fledged exposition of your theory in your song-of-the-week endnote.