161 - What A Donor Wants (Responding to Donor Advice): Andrew Robison

We return with an episode that explores how fundraisers should handle advice from donors, particularly when it comes with strings attached to financial contributions. In this episode, Andrew and Rhen chat about various ways to handle donors who, in addition to offering funds, also want to offer advice about how your organization should run its programs.  Andrew wisely distinguishes between valuable expertise-based advice (such as from building experts on construction projects) versus well-meaning, but potentially misaligned, suggestions based on personal preferences or outdated experiences.  When it comes down to it, Andrew emphasizes the importance of staying true to organizational mission even if it means declining donations with restrictive conditions.