Developing a Spiritual Practice of Fundraising
Fundraising is a deeply spiritual practice.
Generosity is at the foundation of every major religion. This, to me, means that generosity is a fundamental invariant - one of the building blocks of human nature.
Many religions agree. Christianity espouses the significance of charity through the principle of agape love, emphasizing selflessness and concern for others’ well-being. The Islamic concept of zakat, one of the Five Pillars, mandates giving a portion of one’s wealth to those in need, reflecting the religion’s commitment to social justice and communal support. In Buddhism, the practice of dāna, or generosity, is considered an essential means to cultivate detachment from material possessions and develop loving-kindness towards all sentient beings. Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, extol the merits of giving without expectation of reward or recognition, thereby purifying the act of charity and aligning it with spiritual growth.
But even if you’re not religious, it’s still important. Talk to your therapist on your next rough day - I’d be shocked if she didn’t encourage you to volunteer and help someone else. That's generosity of time - and it's an example of giving that helps you get outside of yourself.
Generosity is our fundamental nature. Unveiling this generosity is the job of a fundraiser. What a privilege. We get to strip away greed and fear, and reveal the substrate of generosity hiding underneath false obstacles. This is why fundraising is a spiritual practice - it unveils the core of who we are.
When you approach fundraising this way, you invite donors to let go of obstacles to their wellbeing and let their generosity flourish. I never have to encourage someone to be "more generous". I only have to help them see that it already exists.
In enabling this spiritual practice, you facilitate a sacred exchange that nurtures both the giver and the receiver. The giver experiences the joy and fulfillment of contributing to a meaningful cause, while the receiver benefits from the support that enables their work to continue.
If the only reason I ask is to support the work, I will get burned out of this profession quickly. There are only so many times you can ask a donor to “save the lives of starving children”, only to have him refuse because he just bought a new yacht.
It helps if you remember how your work can transform the donor too. By inviting other people to participate in the freedom and friendliness that a community can provide, we can help them actualize themselves.
The ancient Greeks had a lovely word, eudaimonia, a term rooted in ancient Greek philosophy that embodies living a flourishing, fulfilled life. This well-being transcends fleeting happiness and represents a more profound sense of contentment and purpose that arises from living in harmony with our most authentic selves and the world around us.
This is my goal for each of my donors and prospects.