Fundraising Strategy & Staff Retention
- Chris B.
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
An effective fundraising system is not just about your donors or your revenue.
It's about employee retention.
Recently, the Social Impact Staff Retention Report was released. It's not a lot of good news.
According to the report ...
70% of the nonprofit workers surveyed are looking for or considering a new job, or will be, this year.
Thirty five percent plan to stay in the nonprofit sector.
And 22% are rarely or never fulfilled in their work.
I'm no statistician, but yikes.
The report also looks at fundraisers specifically. Among that group, 72% are looking for new jobs.
Again. Yikes.
The report identifies the top reason: "having too much responsibility and not enough support to get it all done." Compensation is the second reason - and that is tied with "unsupportive management."
The folks who are staying? They cited mission alignment, work flexibility, and a "good / encouraging work environment" as the reasons they are staying put.
So, to sum up, more than 70% of fundraisers in the report are thinking about leaving their job - and that number increases when we talk about community outreach, marketing, or programming professionals. And nearly a quarter of them are unfulfilled in their work.
To sum up the summary. Yikes.
So, back to your fundraising system.
Effective fundraising is more than a prospect list, an email template, and crossed fingers.
It's a strategy that focuses on actions that build relationships and invite generosity.
It's leadership (starting with the board) that provides accountability, support, and flexibility for the team.
It's an attitude that centers gratitude, courage, and creativity.
Fundraising systems that are powered by tradition, ego, or productivity alone aren't just ineffective when it comes to securing the funds your mission needs. They are also burning staff members out. And we know that hiring and onboarding new team members (especially fundraisers) is an expensive and time-consuming process.
We can do better. And our communities need us to do better.
I help clients raise more and do more for their mission. And I do it with systems and goals that inspire your fundraising team instead of burning them out. If you are ready to take the next step with your development program, I'm ready to help. Respond to this post and let's get started!
PS - The full report has great info - check it out at NonprofitStaff.org. And report co-author and fundraising guru Evan Wildstein is a fantastic LinkedIn follow.
PPS - Washington folks, I'll be talking about board fundraising at the Nonprofit Leaders Conference in Ocean Shores on April 16 & 17. Hope to see you there! https://www.nonprofitleaders.info/
I'll also be presenting as part of the Washington State Nonprofit Conference on May 7. Register today: https://nonprofitwa.org/washington-state-nonprofit-conference/
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