The Basics of Fundraising is Relationship

Some people think they have to build relationships in order to do fundraising. I believe that relationship and fundraising aren't separate. You don't build relationships so that you can get the money.

THE MOLECULAR MAKE UP OF FUNDRAISING IS PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND STORYTELLING. PERIOD.

After someone partners with you, that's not the end of relationship building. For many it may be the beginning. Fundraising and relationship building happen at they same time, and if done right, the two can't be separated.

The molecular make up of fundraising is partnership building and storytelling. Period. This is the fundamental difference between fundraising and giving a sales pitch. Once I've sold you something, I'm done with you until I want to sell you something else. But once you join my financial partnership team, we go deeper and we make an impact together - both of which cause us to grow closer together. So it should. As the one fundraising, you should be actively thinking about ways to plug your financial partners into the mission.

So go out there and build relationships, and ask them to partner with you as you do it!