Vulnerability and Abundance

We are surrounded by abundance in this world of ours, yet our struggle to raise enough funds to meet the growing need in our communities is named as central to the crisis facing the sector.

How do we as nonprofits tap into the resources that we so desperately need?

Is it possible that our race to “cultivate” relationships – in a hurry – is blocking the abundance that is right before us?

We all know that speaking to the heart comes before spewing facts when raising money. And that developing relationships is the name of the game.

So why is it not working? At least at the scale that is possible.

Here’s my take.

From Brene Brown’s research on vulnerability to Daniel Goleman’s work on leadership and emotional intelligence, we know that creating connection is key to abundance of all kinds.

Empathy, compassion, and kindness will grab our attention. And the attention of our donors.

Counterintuitive as it may seem, particularly in a professional setting, this requires becoming vulnerable.

When one person is able to do this, it creates a safe place for others to join.

Nonprofit staff and board members are often incredibly kind, compassionate, and empathetic people. This gets expressed every day in service of the mission of their organizations and those they serve.

Where it gets expressed less often is with donors. Thank you notes get sent, sincere calls are made, appreciation parties are thrown, and lovely plaques are displayed in prominent places.

love

What we tend to avoid is connecting with our donors in a way that exposes our ourselves – essentially, our feelings.

This stuff is not all fluff, it’s well researched. Check out Daniel Goleman’s well-documented work on leadership and emotional intelligence.

I often wonder what it would be like if we moved from pleasant exchanges to true relationship on a larger scale.

Many of those that support our organizations have complex feelings about what our mission represents to them.

Anger, sadness, joy, and hope are lurking behind the gifts that many of our donors make to our organizations. Do we notice them? Do we have the ability and skills to “go there” with them?

What if we connected in a whole new way? A phone call here and a coffee date there is great if our intention to connect is present.

I find that engaging from a place of curiosity is helpful. Why is it that they care about our mission? Not just the platitudes that make us sound smart and evolved.

It’s easy to express sentiments in a way that keeps us at arms length from our feelings. It’s another thing to really feel it in the moment.

How can we build trust and create a safe space for our donors to share on a deeper level? How can we become vulnerable when talking about our mission? We care too. Connection only works if both parties participate.

In my experience, when I am open enough to become vulnerable with a donor, resources flow. It’s not easy, but it shouldn’t be.

Let’s offer these gifts to our donors, and ourselves. What touches you deeply about your mission?

Can you share these feelings and open yourself up to receiving the abundance that the world has to offer?

 

Like what you're reading?
Get weekly tips and practical ideas you can use

Leave A Response

* Denotes Required Field