Should we learn to see fundraising through the symbolic lens?

I am always grateful to our guests on The Fundraising Talent Podcast because sometimes they help me make sense of some of the ideas that are rolling around in my head. I, like many of you, am trying to reconcile what’s happening on the other side of the planet with the challenges of everyday life at home. Today, I asked Debra whether the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine was an opportunity for fundraising to live up to its potential and whether there will be things that play out in the weeks and months ahead that we will need to understand on a more existential level.

Before we dived deep into these questions, Debra introduced herself as someone who found her way into fundraising because she was “tired of selling high priced shoes to women who should know better.” Now, after having tried to retire, she finds herself in the trenches trying to help charities discover a bold, brave way of funding whatever it is they set out to do in the world.

 

Evidently, Debra and I prefer see fundraising through what is known as the symbolic lens. This is where we see the opportunity to nurture generosity, connectivity, and meaning. Debra wants us to understand that the meaning of what we’re doing can easily get lost in the tactics. She wants us to see ourselves as being more than master technicians who can ensure the most impressive outcomes from an appeal letter or our next special event. Debra insists that truly generous people don’t need their names out on the sides of buildings. At its best, fundraising should afford us an opportunity to stand alongside the people of Ukraine helping to feed and care for children in the midst of a war zone.

As always, we are especially grateful to our friends at CueBack for sponsoring The Fundraising Talent Podcast. If you’d like to learn more about hosting the Responsive Fundraising roadshow in your local community, email mefor more information. And, if you’d like to download Responsive’s latest edition of Carefully & Critically, just click here.

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