Lettersnatcher

Joe the fundraiser wants to build a culture of philanthropy in a major educational institution. He is excited to create a tribe that is committed and vows to the sacredness of giving back.

Joe starts with senior faculty and their leader said: “I will not give a dime to this institution even after I die.” A current gift, a major gift and a planned gift fell off the pyramid in seconds.

In workplaces rife with poor leadership, egos, and bad management, building a culture of philanthropy is a waste of time.

Yet, fundraising leaders extol the value of a culture of philanthropy. Money is wasted on marketing collateral filled with testimonials, beaming scholarship recipients and philanthropic data.

But how do you tell tenure track faculty and constituents in a bad workplace to spread love through giving? It’s a sheer waste of time. Instead, try this:

1. First, gauge the workplace climate. Who is vested? Who is not?
2. Don’t bring jargons like “culture of philanthropy” in places where staff and administration are at loggerheads.
3. Start slowly, do a lot of background work on influencers, understand the institution’s political climate, affiliations and policies.
4. Work with human resources closely, involve DEI groups and employee resource groups in your conversations.
5. A top down hierarchical method of telling people to give rarely works in siloed institutions.
6. Sometimes, it’s better not building a culture of philanthropy. Instead, go back to the basics: identify, cultivate, solicit and steward. Repeat.