Major Gifts Is NOT a 9-5 Job

This topic is a controversial one. But stay with us for a minute! Any fundraiser’s primary objective is to connect with donors. And those donors are people with busy lives. They might only be available after 5pm, or only on weekends. They might be located internationally. For so many reasons, MGOs need to be flexible so they can meet when it’s convenient for the donor. So, should MGOs also be expected to sit at a desk from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday? It seems like the answer would be obvious – it’s simply not sustainable for fundraisers to work all the time. Yet many organizations promote a culture that requires 40 hours in the office, at whatever cost, regardless of the many events and donor meetings the fundraiser attends outside those hours. This has got to change if organizations want to keep great fundraisers. Today’s episode is all about creating the kind of environment that gives fundraisers the freedom they need to nurture their donor relationships without working 60+ hours every week. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn… Why we believe that major gift fundraising is not a 9-5 job What happens when leadership doesn’t allow flexible schedules for MGOs (who are also expected to meet with donors outside of 9-5) What it means to manage by objectives, rather than overseeing every hour or every step of the process How leaders and fundraisers can advocate for a culture that supports flexibility and prevents burnout