Transcript
Speaker: Welcome to the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a first-time fundraiser, we have the advice you need to take your next step toward major gift mastery.
Speaker: I'm your host, Tom Dauber, President of Abundant Vision Philanthropic Consulting. Last week's conversation was a blast. I'm so excited to have you with me for this next segment.
Speaker: Let's get back to the show.
Speaker: In many organizations, you've got your development officer, you've got your executive director who might know something about fundraising, but maybe a mission, passion sort of person without that experience of actually having done the job.
Speaker: And that's a lot of the folks that listen to my show here. And I'm curious, You know, if I'm that person, if I'm the executive director, I'm still figuring out fundraising, much less managing a fundraiser.
Speaker: If you had like three things, four things to say to me, what should I be doing? Especially in organizations that don't already have, they may not even have an HR person. Like,
Speaker: What do I do as a leader of a small shop like that? So let me put it in two different ways. There's one just to help. What would any fundraiser or whatever side is like, oh, okay, I want to work with this person. Are there clear fundraising priorities for your organization?
Speaker: There's the mission piece, but are there clear? There's the classic here, if you prioritize everything, you're prioritizing nothing. again, do you have those clear priorities that somebody...
Speaker: That really, that makes the work of everyone easier that alignment. So I would say that to a CEO. I would say just the ability to listen, listen to the advice they might be getting from the person who's brought into this role or remembering that,
Speaker: fundraising development, it's listening. It's listening for cues from people. It's listening. It's having conversations. And I think there's so often a thought it's you make the ask the right way, use all the perfect language, but just that listening, that would be one that I think any CEO can do. I think there's that other piece, both through the organization, but then I'll go to kind what are the three of the new work with the fundraiser? What are both through the short-term, medium-term, long-term?
Speaker: goals that you have as a CEO in that organization, but also have for the organization. And there's a distinction there. What are the things you've either been brought in to accomplish, you want to accomplish or want to see there, but some of those might be ones that I know if I do this, it'll be good for the long-term of the organization. what are your short-term, medium, long-term goals?
Speaker: Because I think that, again, helps provide, it all circles back. The priorities then fit with that. The listening is to that, with that piece. So those are just three as a CEO. How I'd have that then translate to the fundraiser, just be available to them.
Speaker: And that can be in a variety of ways. It depends on the style. might be a more formal meeting. It might be just if they physically near you, if that's the type, if you're in a more physical setup, but just be accessible.
Speaker: That would be, I think, one of the best ones the CEO can do. Really put a concrete amount of your time. We know it might vary, but unless the team member who is supposed to be working that area, or if you're the sole one doing it, just keep it that basic. I'm going to do five of these this week, five contacts of five meetings that might be depending on it, but just keep it that simple. It really and put that time on your calendar but make it in a concrete way let the person who if you've large enough place you have something serving that organization let them be the partner doing that with you so i think that would be with that and then the third i just
Speaker: So you've shared a lot with us about the onboarding and things that you've learned in your graduate studies. But you've been a development officer for many years. I'm sure you've got some great advice for nonprofit leaders who are learning the business of being a fundraiser. What's the first thing that you think a development officer should learn as they're kind of leaning into that experience?
Speaker: I would... I think it would be, there's a couple of things learning about it. They'll learn about the organization, but I think the first thing would be, why do people give there?
Speaker: I think seeing those questions, there might be variety, but you'll start to see some through lines with who's there, who chooses to be there. And from there, still in a sincere, genuine way, that's how you can start to, what you highlight with them? How do you why they're there, that piece. I think it's surprising no matter what the scale of the organization, how big the staff, how often people have not been thanked in a sincere way.
Speaker: or forgotten after they've made a gift that's taken place. So I think that's a really build that into part of what you're doing and talking with people as well.
Speaker: I think that's huge as well. And if you're new, either as a new CEO or in your role, I would say create that cohort network. That can be one the best things, both just in terms of thought group, lifeline, and So, for example, earlier this week, another colleague and I sent out an invite and not everyone can make it, but we got together our counterparts with some of the largest social service organizations in central Ohio. Where did we get that idea from? Actually, the CEOs of that organization do that. We're like, are we not doing that? this but again very fast reaction even when we just sent out the email with antinomus yes this would be great i'm at a point where there's not a lot for me to find in professional associations or yeah i'm a person of one or i'm more leading the group i can see things for them so i think creating that cohort and if you might be in a place where the community is large enough because at the end of the day we're we're actually not competing with each other
Speaker: The funders are going to give where they did or they give to multiple areas or you've got a distinct mission. So creating that or finding out who your counterparts are maybe across the state and other areas, but just create that.
Speaker: And it doesn't have to be formal, but just have that set up time where you can talk. I think that... And again, I'm telling you that I'm pretty good handle. I'm very well resourced organization, but still within two hours, I'm like, oh, that was good. I got to take that back. I need to do that. And then if you were like, oh, good, I gave you a helpful takeaway or about this. Yeah.
Speaker: So in a variety of different ways. So I think that is one the most basic can be hard to do because it's hard to look up when you're within your organization. But there's so much power in being able to do that. And actually, because there's so many different businesses, you can get inundated with people, different services. But because of that, there's actually a lot of really good information and webinars offered.
Speaker: In our field, I mean, really high quality. So just start looking on LinkedIn and you will start to be able to find different webinars, ones that are good. And if you can, if there are others on your team or others, even your cohort, maybe even if you're in separate places watching those, then talking about it, how do we apply it as well?
Speaker: So...
Speaker: Yeah, and it does cross across different areas. There's another one. There's still higher ed-focused advancement and even more alumni-focused. don't know if I'm allowed to say the name of it, but I do enjoy listening to it. But I've got a long enough commute now. I can get a good one in. And again, not in that field, but a couple them, I can tell you about a point where I've been driving down 71. I'm like, yes, that's it. There's a...
Speaker: It's called alumnus podcast. And again, I'm not trying to anything out. Chris Marshall. Like you do, they do a lot of good, just people in the field. What are you doing?
Speaker: How do you apply that? But again, I can think they're interviewing one woman who just talked about, again, when she was working with the team on doing their fiscal plan for the year, it wasn't just aligning with our goal. She's like, we went back, does it align to our mission?
Speaker: i know that sounds so basic but our again we were looking at engagement opportunities with data we're digging that deeply with my team it's great stuff but then we came back to that question okay how does each of this align with the mission just things like that but again think you can listen to ones that are in a variety not just our field but others so you really can take something about yeah something that sticks with you from that
Speaker: No, that's great advice. Your first point, I just wanted to highlight it, though, because I felt like it was so good. You were talking about learning why people give. One of the reasons I love that suggestion is because it just it has this.
Speaker: If you really want to know that, what got to do? Go out and talk to your donors. And I've often found as a new fundraiser in a new organization, the number one thing I can do to build relationship get out there on the road and start asking donors, well, why are you giving to us? And so many great conversations happen as a result. Yeah. And with that, the goal is give yourself that grace when you're starting. Listen, it's right. You don't. That can be your goal for the meeting. Yeah.
Speaker: So if a small nonprofit can't afford an expensive training program, you've mentioned some CE opportunities, some podcast things like that.
Speaker: Are there other things that they should be thinking about prioritizing to help their fundraisers? Again, I will go back to that, just creating that cohort or even...
Speaker: or just telling them these are the organizations we consider peers or do a good job, and then they can go out and create that network. But I think that is so easy yet so important to do.
Speaker: You might do that more when you're six months to a year in, but there is lot of value in that. I would say, again, an opportunity for them just to – at some point interact with your board or have that piece.
Speaker: And I will say that again, the benefit with a neat thing with food banks is we're under the umbrella of a larger organization, Feeding America, who does a very good job with providing webinars, building even some of these networks. They've started with this year doing ones with chief development officers, different food banks and breakout groups. We get to pick the topics, which is all good because it's stuff you want to hear about. But I was so surprised with one with some of them like, oh, I'm not even allowed to talk to the board of access to them. So I know that sounds simple, but I think that's something that's important.
Speaker: Have that, which is not always the case, and I don't know why. that would be something I'd also add in there. And then just giving your time, again, as I said, just that access to be able to talk through, ask questions, expect that too.
Speaker: Now, if you're talking with someone who is getting ready to step into their first leadership role in a nonprofit, they're going to become a chief development officer or maybe an executive director for the first time.
Speaker: Is there some special advice for that person? say don't presume, in some ways we say there's a universal salty to fundraising, what we were talking about. You listen to people, find out what's important to them, help them, how you bring the aspirations, your organization, what they want to achieve together.
Speaker: There's that, but there's a whole flip side that where I'd say I wouldn't presume how you maybe fundraise in one sector setting, because we can mean different translates to another.
Speaker: I would say you're at some larger organizations, again, higher ed, we often have volunteers at two levels. They're valued, but there's a much higher level, your governance board, depending on that whether it's a foundation or a private university, I mean, very important. Those volunteers, what they do often a more grassroots level, I mean, volunteer, whether it's a local club doing the alumni selection for a certain thing, but we don't.
Speaker: And I get that midpoint. We don't a lot volunteers and Yeah, for variety reasons. But again, don't presume what worked here. Don't poo poo it in another one with that. So I think that would be my big one if you're moving between sectors with that piece of it, with that one.
Speaker: think the other piece is... really there's the goal with what you want to work towards but really set what am i just going to this week and this month kind breaking into chunks because otherwise it can be almost overwhelming so i know that sounds simple but it's that you know that base yeah that the principles of centralism this would be some i yeah that's yeah that's great advice so these are among the things yeah well
Speaker: Sue, I'm curious, you're here at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. What's next for the organization? What do you guys have going on that's exciting? We talk about one the joys of working there. always, like people, we say you can move, advocate, volunteer, and donate, and all that flies together. one thing that's very exciting for us this spring is, excuse me, this fall, we're going to opening long-held goal dream for Mid-Ohio called the Eastland Prosperity Center, which is awesome.
Speaker: uh and the east side of columbus and again we looked at data to get to that we're realizing not just that there was some need for that but when we were looking we had people driving who lived in that part of columbus 10 or 15 miles to get the different food banks so i sometimes taking the bus to do that so again how can we and yet it's still a very vibrant neighborhood there's a lot of new businesses have been known there lots of new americans i mean just a whole active area commission so that we're opening kind a comprehensive center that will be it's been built it's in a former grocery store thank you to that chain came into us at a very good level but with that really things are going to be much more wrap around and again
Speaker: where I've talked that earlier, what are your priorities and mission? We know what we are good at at Ohio, but it's bringing other people excel in other ways. So the Ohio State University College of Nursing will have a primary health clinic there, which they excel at with that other health science colleges of that. Representatives, parts of the city will be there. have a great program called Celebrate One, which provides resources, help, especially for families with children under one. Jewish Family Services in the Columbus area does amazing stuff around workforce development. So those are among the partners there.
Speaker: Central Community House. So having that there, it will all be under one roof. with that and having a kind a choice market. So that's a huge one coming up for the organization. So look for that. Anybody will be welcome to come check it out. We'll have some community open houses.
Speaker: And then there's just a joy. always encourage people reach out to me at LinkedIn or my email's right there on the website place. We have a great website, but... It is such a great place to volunteer. We just want to get a dabble for that. We have opportunities for families to be able to volunteer, large groups. So that is in a variety of ways. We have two farms. We have more sorting the food. We have our markets, which are more customer facing. So those are just some of it's just that daily of what we do. We, as with other nonprofits, are working.
Speaker: numbers and increase for our services is it has not, it is only getting higher since the pandemic. We know 75% of our customer households either have a senior or a child. So people can come in and make a difference. So you really, you can do that. But anyhow, that's, that's the long spiel there, but I think a lot of exciting stuff.
Speaker: So that's what, that's makes it a joy to be part of, and people can just dip into it if they want to do a few hours, or set, or just follow with all of that. So.
Speaker: Wow. Well, one follow-up question. Tell me about your farms. Yes. didn't know you guys had farms. Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and again, that's even that switch from food bank to food collective.
Speaker: So people say, I thought you were the food bank. I'm like, same thing. It's okay. We have five assets because we... We really work under everything we do with the ideas food as health. 65% of what we give away is actually fresh produce or nutrients, really maybe moving away from the old food bank stereotype that there's a place for mac and cheese or shelf stable that has it, but really looking at that. But the farms themselves, two locations, and again, If you're in central Ohio, this would make sense. We have what we call our Hilltop Farm, and that is they are all working farms. Hilltop Farm also, I'd say what has, again, they're producing large amounts. This is a true working farm, but it's also a great place around STEM education and the practices they put with how they use the acreage there, but also vertical farming, hydroponics, and putting that in place with that.
Speaker: And it's also just a chance to be able to see where food comes, what it does look like. So one of the favorite days in the spring is they do different school days. So we've had, we will have up to 1200 children, variety of different school districts come in. know, Columbus city schools is an active partner that. So anyhow, that is that hilltop farm, which is that place. Then we also have a working farm, which you wouldn't see when you drive by, but, uh, in central Ohio, there's Olentangy River Road.
Speaker: There's a NBC for station there. If you drive behind that, they actually gave, I think it's only about its third year acreage. And that again, is a true working. There are fruit trees there.
Speaker: Yes. It's amazing what that team has done to turn that land into. But with that, We have people, we'd love to have volunteers there, both farms, but it truly is from what we are producing there, we are distributing, getting to our markets. Both of them through the summer actually do an onsite fresh fruit distribution.
Speaker: what's neat is we actually have a community garden at the NBC 412. There's some apartment buildings near there and they get access. So what's awesome is both of those farms do, Smart farming is a huge part of it. But then we also know, depending on where the food's going, because we cover a 20 county area, there are different fruits and vegetables people want to see, want to have. And that's where, again, it's bringing the heart of what we do together with the data of what we do with looking at that. But really that idea of just getting the right meal at the right place at the right time for people.
Speaker: So, yeah. There's the long answer. went beyond a 90 second elevator speech on that one, though.
Speaker: Oh, I lost your sound. I'm not I can hear I can see you talking that I can't hear you. Okay. I muted myself. So sorry. No, I was just saying, often think about, you know, these sorts of things, you know, canned drives and like you were saying, mac and cheese, but you're bringing the fresh food too. But I think those drives do matter because we have our distribution points, markets we have. We have some that we do jointly with other organizations. For example, one at Columbus State, Hart and Reynoldsburg, course, to leave some out with that. Bishop Griffin Center. But The core of everything we do is we have over 600 partner agencies. Some of those are quite well established, quite large. The food service is part of it. They do other things. Some are much more but equally important, very rural areas. The one distribution a point for each year or two. rural areas, it's especially where we see the most marked issues with seniors and hunger. So there's that. But again, those drives are great because there are 600 partner agencies. If they do well and somebody's volunteering with them, supporting them on any level, it raises the vote for everyone.
Speaker: So it all.
Speaker: Well, Sue, thank you so much for joining us today. It's been wonderful having you on the show. Really so much. I think getting someone started off correctly an organization is critical to their success and appreciate what you've added to the scholarship in that field and sharing your wisdom with Thank you. I enjoyed it.
Speaker: And like I said, I enjoyed learning from your podcast as well. So thanks for the opportunity. You're so welcome. Now, if you've enjoyed this podcast, please be sure to subscribe and give us a five-star rating on your podcast provider.
Speaker: I'm your host, Tom Daubert. Thank you for joining me as we journey together towards major gift mastery on the Abundant Vision Fundraising Podcast.
