It is hard to ask your friends for money

Like many people I'm not as active as I should be. Too much time sitting here I expect. I try to run but am not that disciplined about it. So when I was asked to run 5km on my first week in a new job the physical challenge was one I embraced. When I was asked to raise a minimum $250.00 in pledges for the privilege of this challenge my immediate response was 'oh I couldn't do that.' After all I hadn't even started working there.

Upon reflection it occurred to me that Ontario Nature had just hired me to help them raise millions of dollars and I just said no to personally raising $250.00. hmmmm.... perhaps I should try. So I doubled the goal and made a commitment to raise $500.00

Then I asked you to help me impress my new boss, staff and board by making a pledge of support. Thanks to many of you I exceeded my goal and raised $731.00.

This is a relatively small amount of money in our world but do not underestimate the impact it has had. In almost ten years as a professional fundraiser, I have never solicited funds personally. And yet, I ask fundraising volunteers to do this all the time.

Reaching out to my personal network and asking for money has helped me better understand the courage, passion and generosity of these extraordinary volunteers. It takes guts to ask your friends for money. We 'professionals' should never take this for granted.

I was able to finish the 5km although I confess to having to walk a little around the 3km mark. Exactly in the spot where I met the Chair of the Board for the first time as he went racing past me! (So much for good impressions!)

If you have never participated in a huge event like this I encourage you to registered for one now. There is something incredibly inspiring about thousands of people with various physical abilities, ages and backgrounds pushing themselves for something they believe in.

Yesterday was a life altering experience for me. I am determined to keep running and keep working on getting my time down. Surely with a little effort I can beat my personal best of 42 minutes 23.1 seconds.

Mostly though I'm deeply grateful to those of you who made a donation. Because of you I have a deeper appreciation of not just how hard it is to ask your friends and colleagues for money but also to know first hand how good it feels when they say yes.

Because of you I'm a better fundraiser then I was yesterday. Thank you.


Thank you for spending time here.

PS There was one anonymous donation. I respect that. This blog post is for you too.

How to breakup with your donors

Lake Simcoe has been very good to me. I have been very good for Lake Simcoe. I have learned a lot. So have they. Together we achieved many great milestones and even won a couple of awards. With mixed feelings I know that now is the right time to move on.

So when the opportunity came to work with Ontario Nature as their Director of Development it seemed a natural and exciting progression. The right move at the right time.

There was just a little problem. 'My' donors. I really like them. All of them. We chat in person and on the phone. I've been to their houses, shared wine at their cottage, met their grandchildren. They write me notes with their donations. I write them notes with their tax receipts.

Some of 'my' donors are even helping 'me' find other donors. One even stymied me by asking a prospect for $50,000 at a cultivation breakfast meeting - and got it! (a blog for another day) Another is passionate about helping to get more monthly donors and with a little support is bringing in hundreds of new dollars a month. (another blog)

When you become so close to your donors and know it is your time to leave what happens with the relationship? Should you make plans to stay in touch? Give them your new coordinates?

The simple answer is: NO. Absolutely not. This is not 'your' relationship. Our job is to build a relationship between the donor and the organization. We are the middle man. We are Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins swoops into the Banks family at just the right time. She is friendly and yet firm, provides structure, love, warmth and humour.

When the winds change - she graciously makes her exit and the Banks family is stronger for her having been there and moves onto their next thing. Kite flying.



Donors give because they love the cause. Not because they love you.

I recently tweeted that I was writing break up letters to donors and a couple people asked me how on earth I would write something like that? So instead of just sharing my opinion. (worth what you paid for it!) I will share with you what worked for me this week:

Next week our newsletter is going out to all constituents with a letter from our President announcing the move and wishing me well. So at the end of this week I personally wrote to individuals who are the most involved or highest level donors or those who have made multi year pledges.

Each letter was different but had the same core structure. Here is one example:

Dear 'Bill'

Tell them why you are writing

It is with very mixed feelings that I’m writing to inform you that I’m leaving the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation. I've been presented with a great opportunity that I must take advantage of.

I have accepted a position with Ontario Nature as their Director of Development. As such my last day in the office will be September 4, 2009.

Tell them to keep donating

'Bill', your enthusiasm and support of this foundation is so very much appreciated. I do hope that it continues. For Lake Simcoe – there simply isn’t another environmental organization doing the kind of work this Foundation/LSRCA is. Your donations and involvement are very important.

Reassure them that the organization is still solid

Because of people like you we have been able to do incredibly well building the Foundation and exponentially increasing funding for programs delivered by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. The Foundation has solid leadership in place and excellent staff (copied above) to carry on much of the work.

Remind them of the specific work or action they are involved in
(this is also good for staff so the letter can be filed and the action items for this individual can be highlighted. Really helps with moves management)

I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to work with you more on building relationships at sunny bay. Of course you are well positioned with Marie on one side and Justin on the other. Your great work will no doubt continue.

Be sincere and say goodbye

I am deeply grateful for the opportunities afforded to me as the Executive Director and in particular your willingness to open your home and ask people to support this work too. I will remember the people and my time here with great fondness.

Most Sincerely,

Kimberley

Kimberley MacKenzie, CFRE
Executive Director
Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation

Yes it is a little bit sad. Changes are bitter sweet. A really cool thing happens though - your donors write you back. Thank you for your work and wish you well.

I remember feeling sad for Mary Poppins when she watched from the window as the Banks family went off kite flying. But we knew that wasn't the end of the story but rather the beginning of the next one.

There are new relationships waiting for me at Ontario Nature and honestly - I very much look forward to each one of them. For the next couple of weeks I'll just enjoy the pause in between.

Thank you for spending time here.