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.
Re: your second point: BIG AGREE! And the most heartbreaking moments haven’t been when I noticed others doing it to me, but when I realized that mode of performed professional friendship had become a default for me as well.
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.
But absolutely-- so, so true. The number of things we are collectively propping up through shear force of individual empathy/fundraising hustle (to say nothing of parks and libraries and schools but even individual people's surgery go-fund-mes!) is a complete travesty.
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 the kind of thing you know instinctively, but still, when you're like "oh, one of the first big philanthropic investments was designed to cover a company's tracks after they literally shot babies!" it, um, hits hard!
You know what? It might end up being a complete speculative mess but I'm gonna write this! Maybe next week, maybe a bit further down the line, but it sounds like fun.
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.
Re: your second point: BIG AGREE! And the most heartbreaking moments haven’t been when I noticed others doing it to me, but when I realized that mode of performed professional friendship had become a default for me as well.
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.
THE MILWAUKEEAN'S LAMENT!!!
But absolutely-- so, so true. The number of things we are collectively propping up through shear force of individual empathy/fundraising hustle (to say nothing of parks and libraries and schools but even individual people's surgery go-fund-mes!) is a complete travesty.
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.
Oh yeah. Prospect research: also weird! Shout out to anybody reading who has ever researched or been researched!
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!
You hear that, people considering a paid subscription? ONE SATISFIED SUBSCRIBER! IN THE FLESH!
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
Great point! And thanks for sharing that link!
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 the kind of thing you know instinctively, but still, when you're like "oh, one of the first big philanthropic investments was designed to cover a company's tracks after they literally shot babies!" it, um, hits hard!
i am hearting this truth, not the baby killing, just to be clear
It’s very important to be on the record about this issue!
I would LOVE a full-fledged exposition of your theory in your song-of-the-week endnote.
You know what? It might end up being a complete speculative mess but I'm gonna write this! Maybe next week, maybe a bit further down the line, but it sounds like fun.