Using the 10 Principles of Community Centric Fundraising
You can create a more inclusive and equitable organization using the 10 principles of community centric fundraising.
During a recent meeting with a client, I had a great conversation with the executive director about making sure the fundraising strategies we developed were inclusive and equitable.
We discussed the importance of ensuring recognition activities included ways to appreciate long-time donors no matter their annual gift size and that volunteers received credit for their gifts of time, regardless of whether they made a financial contribution.
It was a refreshing and exciting conversation.
Then, while brainstorming all sorts of creative ideas, the executive director said to me, “These are all fantastic. It’s just a matter of how much time this will all take.”
With that statement, my excitement about these much-needed equitable and inclusive changes suddenly came face-to-face with the reality of how complex and arduous change is – even positive, important change like grounding an organization’s fundraising practices in racial and economic justice. And that no matter how much an organization wants to see these changes happen, change doesn’t happen overnight.
But here’s the thing. Before I continue down the path of discussing the important issues of equity and inclusion, I must first be honest that I feel wholly inadequate stepping into this space.
As a cis-white female continuously challenging my own ingrained racism, I often feel that I shouldn’t or can’t participate in racial equity conversations. Truthfully, I’d rather sit down and shut up, as it were.
And yet, I’m also a consultant who is asked to give an opinion on this complex issue. People look to me for advice on how to transform aspects of their organizations, especially as it relates to fundraising activities.
So, how do I reconcile the two?
I’ve chosen to look at my role in this space as an opportunity to embrace and put forth the 10 Principles of Community Centric Fundraising to as many organizations as I can.
Why am I taking this approach? Because the community centric fundraising principles were developed from conversations with fundraisers of color and continue to serve as a constantly evolving model for racial and economic justice in philanthropy.
It’s not a question of whether these principles give us the right approach towards the change we seek – they absolutely do. Here’s a quick refresher.
The 10 principles of Community Centric Fundraising:
Fundraising must be grounded in race, equity, and social justice
Individual organizational missions are not as important as the collective community
Nonprofits are generous with and mutually supportive of one another
All who engage in strengthening the community are equally valued, whether a volunteer, staff, donor, or board member
Time is valued equally as money
We treat donors as partners, and this means that we are transparent, and occasionally have difficult conversations
We foster a sense of belonging, not othering
We promote the understanding that everyone (donors, staff, funders, board members, volunteers) personally benefits from engaging in the work of social justice – it’s not just charity and compassion
We see the work of social justice as holistic and transformative, not transactional
We recognize that healing and liberation require a commitment to economic justice
What to Consider as You Apply these Principles to Your Fundraising Plan
It’s one thing to recognize these principles, but it’s a whole other animal to lead with the dedication required to accomplish this important work. And with apologies to elephants everywhere, you can only eat this justice and equity elephant one bite at a time. Here are five considerations as you embark on your journey.
Over-Communicate About Changes Involving Your Treatment of Donors
One of my facilitation mentors once told me, “People want to know what’s happening to them.” I’ve learned that the more you educate and inform donors at all levels of the gift pyramid, the more likely they are to accept the changes you want to make. In fact, you may even transform some mindsets along the way.
Don’t Try to Change Everything at Once
Like the executive director in my story above, go into these big changes acknowledging that they can’t all happen at once. Success will come when you identify the areas of most glaring injustice and tackle those first.
For instance, maybe you’ve noticed that the images used in your donor materials reinforce harmful stereotypes. And those stereotypes are not only othering the clients you serve but also allowing donors to pat themselves on the back for “helping those poor people.” (Yuck!) Or perhaps you’ve acquiesced too much on some donor requests and now feel as if you’re compromising the organization’s core values.
Either of these injustices and others like them are places worth starting your journey towards a more racially just and equitable fundraising plan.
Incorporate the Principles of Community Centric Fundraising Directly into Your Strategic Plan
These 10 principles should be foundational parts of not only your fundraising plan but your entire organization. As such, they deserve to be a part of your strategic planning process. And because strategic plans require monitoring, you’ll have a built-in accountability element to keep anti-racism and economic justice considerations top of mind well after the initial planning process ends.
Track Your Data
I wholeheartedly believe that the more just we are, the more successful we’ll be by any measurement of success. But it’s also important to track and measure the results of your actions to ensure you’re meeting your goals to become a more community centric organization.
For instance, take notice when your new, more equitable approach produces richer donor conversations, increases engagements, or results in more dollars raised.
Unfortunately, there may be individuals who would prefer “things stay the same” and who push back on the need for community centric fundraising. Tracking data and pointing to results will serve as your armor against anyone who challenges the need to put these important principles into practice.
Lastly, it’s a Lot Easier to Have Principles When There’s Money in the Bank
You may want to increase salaries, hire a search firm to help cultivate a more diverse candidate pool, or turn down a donation from a racist, classist, or homophobic donor. These are all much easier said than done, though, if you don’t have adequate financial resources.
No matter the health of your balance sheet, it’s scary to make changes that will affect your organization’s bottom line. While there may be some instances where a change is necessary regardless of the resources at hand (donations with detrimental strings attached come to mind), many times, it’s okay to take the time to adjust. The clincher, though:
Be aggressive in securing the funds you need to create positive change.
It’s okay to be strategic and methodical when making a change. It’s not okay to use a lack of funds as an excuse to avoid doing the hard work of creating an anti-racist, just, and equitable organization.
You Have a Huge Opportunity to Create Positive Change Within Your Organization. And We’re Here to Help.
Adopting the community centric fundraising principles and committing to creating these changes within your organization takes courage – and it takes a team. Surround yourself with people dedicated to seeing equitable change take shape within your organization and arm yourself with the right plan to make it all happen. Do this, and you will be successful.
I can’t wait to see these big changes take shape as you work towards achieving each of the 10 community centric fundraising principles. And, as you get started, remember that my team and I are always here to help you along your journey. Please feel free to get in touch if we can help.
My best,
Dani
About The Author
For the past 25 years, Dani has helped nonprofits at local, regional, and global levels find sustainable solutions to tricky growth and funding issues. She works with leaders and teams to optimize their approach to fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, and more! Dani is passionate about helping motivated people build vibrant and effective nonprofit organizations—so they can make a meaningful impact in the world!