Patience in Fundraising Always Wins

First, patient fundraisers make space to deeply listen to their donors.  They provide them with the time, space, and silence necessary to understand their unique needs, challenges, and goals. Patient fundraisers don’t pitch the needs of the organization first. They ask their donors questions about their philanthropic goals, what they want to achieve through their philanthropy, and listen to understand how the timing of a gift would work best for the donor’s unique family and life situation.

Patient fundraisers know that making space for silence in donor conversations is not only respectful, but strategic. Most fundraisers find silence uncomfortable and quickly look to fill it. However by allowing for pauses and lulls in conversation, patient fundraisers make space for their donors to formulate better answers—giving the fundraiser more information to more effectively tailor what they share and present as funding opportunities.

Patient fundraisers know the timing of a gift should always be on the donor’s timeline, not based on their organization’s needs. Patient fundraisers never pressure the donor into giving a gift before they have all of their questions answered, the important family members and financial advisors consulted, and they feel ready and excited to make a gift. Patient fundraisers are donor advocates inside their organization and refuse to be pressured by their boss to meet internal goals instead of honoring the donor’s process.

Patient fundraisers know that big philanthropic decisions take time. And know that usually the bigger the gift, the longer the process will be. Patient fundraisers are in the relationship for the long haul and know that sometimes the biggest gifts take years to come together. 

Patient fundraisers balance having a sense of urgency and being goal-oriented with being patient and donor-centered. They know how to balance patience and persistence. They don’t rush the process, they trust it.

Donors enjoy working with fundraisers who are patient, yet persistent — who they can tell truly have their best interests in mind, who don’t try and force a gift, and who take the time to deeply listen to them. 

Fundraising is one of those careers that requires hustle, stamina, persistence, curiosity, sharp negotiating skills, self-reflection, empathy and yes — patience.