For decades now, it has either been entirely or mostly my job to fundraise and I’ve had to raise millions. I often hear from others about how difficult it must be or my favorite: “It takes a special person to do that work.”

My response is always, “Why?”

While money is a taboo subject in American culture, fundraisers understand on the most basic level that raising money has nothing to do with money.

I recall hearing a sermon at church many years ago when my pastor asked the congregation to think of the most generous person they know. Then ask themselves, is that person happy? The nods and revelations were universal.

Connecting somone to the ability to help is a life-affirming opportunity. Giving to a cause – especially a local one, with real beneficiaries and impacts they can see, is a way to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. It can lead them to to important relationships among those they serve and among like-minded friends. There are literally countless studies which suggest giving lowers depression and anxiety.

This is essentially why I love fundraising. For me, it is not a fear of rejection that guides me, it is the sense of joy I feel bringing these opporutnities to someone else who might need it.

That is not to say it can be very painful to get a rejection on a grant proposal which took weeks to produce, or a sponsor drops from an event, or a giving campaign is not performing as well as in years past. In that sense maybe it does take a special person to remember when funding changes, is not a personal failure. Nor is it a failure of the organization (in most cases).

Perhaps in these more painful moments, more than any, it’s a good time to remember giving is about the joy. It’s about hope in the face of helplessness. And there is someone new out there looking for you (and everyone you can recruit to help!) to bring that gift to them every day.

Need some guidance in your fundraising strategy? Interested in consulting services catered to YOUR organization and its needs? Click here for an inquiry or email jhatchett@blindspotal.com.