Rabbits and Groundhogs March 13, 2008
Posted by jerikpotter in charitable giving, giving.Tags: giving, Harvey, Jason Dick, Major Donors
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Jason over at asmallchange.net questions whether fundraisers should treat all donors, regardless of gift size, as major donors.
Here’s my take - in an ideal world - yes. Unfortunately, that nasty real world keeps holding us up. We all operate with limits resources - time, money, people, and desire. Once these are factored in - the debate becomes an academic exercise.
It got me thinking though. What if you were handed the keys to the kingdom - unlimited time, unlimited money, and unlimited people to cultivate donors. Suppose a big, white rabbit walked into your office and offered to stop your clock? You could do whatever you wanted, for as long as you wanted. And when you’d had enough, the rabbit would kickstart your clock again but no time will have passed. You’d be free to sit down and really get to know each and every donor. We’d move past the simplistic “how are the kids” talks and figure out what each donor’s passion is.
Then there’s that whole “desire” thing. Even if you could spend all that time with a $25 donor, would you? Or is the idea of unlimited time too far out there to even comprehend? We can look to another Hollywood creation to get a glimpse into this world, Groundhog Day. Phil got to know each and every person in the town of Punxsatawney over the course of a single day (repeated ad nauseum). By the end of the movie, he knew everyone’s life story. He was loved, admired, and respected. He also took home top prize (note - largest fundraiser) in the bachelor auction. All because he took the time to get to know everyone.
How many of you would take advantage of clock stopping to cultivate donors? How many of you would be sitting under a shade tree in Akron sipping beer? What else would you do?
Erik, great brain exercise — time standing still and it is interesting question about the $25 dollar giver — for me the answer is yes if that $25 can be turned into $50 — thing is I think almost all of the 25s can be turned into 50s — the challenge is not for dev. pros to spend more time with each $25 donor BUT for each $25 donor to spend more time with the dev. pros — ala Tom Sawyer — find ways to put your $25 people to work for you all you gotta do is give the a brush and can of paint –heres’ my take hope you’ll check it out
Hey Erik - I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit lately with the whole social media thing. While I haven’t factored in the giving portion I have been concentrating on relationships. Dunbars number proposes that we can only sustain approximately 150 social relationships and still remember how each is connected and related. I always wondered if technology would increase this number or decrease it. Given our finite resources, do we have to do the math and figure our that if I increase time with one relationship does that mean another suffers? I think you pose a really good question, I’ll be interested to see what others have to say.
Bob
Hi Michael - thanks for stopping by. I hadn’t run across your site until your comments yesterday on Jason’s post. I like your way of thinking though. Tap into them for additional resources - volunteering, advice, etc. It doesn’t have to always be monetary. Once the relationship has developed, the donations will come more easily - at least in theory.
Bob - nice to see you. Interesting proposition. I hadn’t thought of it in that context. Indeed we may be able to keep up with more relationships through social media. I’ve been in contact with several high school friends in recent months I haven’t seen since graduation. The power of social media brought us together. We’re spread throughout the US but we have a tool to connect now. Its too early for me to comment on how strong or deep these relationships will grow with only an online component to it. Time will tell.
[...] Erik Potter takes a step back and “stops time” and asks the question, “Even if you could spend all that time with a $25 donor, would you? Or is the idea of [...]