You may have heard a little chatter about fossil fuels contributing to global warming. There might be something to it. If you are old enough, you remember the oil embargo of the 1970s and if older still, gas rationing during WWII. Clearly the supply of petroleum products will eventually be outstripped by demand. The Jetsons need to hurry up with producing those flying cars!
Meanwhile, for those nonprofit fundraisers with the energy to read this after the Giving Day posting frenzy, a word of caution of about well-rounded revenue sources. Previously I probably mentioned the danger of grant dependency. With one, three, or five year life cycles and the temptation of mission drift, there is a danger of creating programs and projects that are not sustainable. I would also admonish about dependency on corporate support , but we are all only too well aware that it is drying up.
So back to fossil fuels and fundraising. If your non-profit is heavily dependent upon bequests, estate gifts, and memorials, you need to be making new friends and well as remembering the old ones at a rate of 3:1 (source: National Association of Made Up Numbers -- but still a pretty good guess). No more dinosaurs are giving their lives for your petroleum reserve confidence. No more sweet little old people -- I say this as I eagerly approach Medicare eligibility -- are suddenly appearing on your donor roster with an intent to donate for 20+ years. Bequests come from long term relationships not one night stands (just in case there is anyone I have not offended yet).
Donors are not numbers or commodities despite our abnormal love of databases and spreadsheets. Donors are people who have interests, emotions, and a need to interact. Donors are courted, crops are cultivated. Everyone gets tired of being asked for money; people like being asked to volunteer, advise, meet the front line staff, and engage in meaningful ways.
Best of luck on surviving year-end fundraising. If you think you may not survive, I can send you our planned giving brochure...but we hope you feel better!
