It’s been two hundred and twenty-seven years since our founding fathers came together to draft what is now known as the Constitution of the United States of America. But the lessons we can learn from their efforts are still as relevant today as they were then.
3 Fundraising Lessons From Our Founding Fathers
As we come together to celebrate our nation’s independence with hotdogs, homemade ice cream, and fireworks… let’s consider some of the things we can learn from our founding fathers as we work to leave the world better than we found it…
1. If you want to go farther… go together
The Founding Fathers led America to an almost-impossible victory because they were an amazing team. No one of these men could have done it all by himself. If you want to reach the goals you’ve set for your organization, you need a culture of philanthropy that permeates throughout your organization. When it comes to the impact your organization makes in the future, the old adage is true:
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
2. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo
Today’s fundraising world is changing, a lot like our country was in the early colonial days. While you may not revolutionize the industry, don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Technology has opened up a whole new window of opportunity for your organization to redefine fundraising, embrace innovation and move in a new direction.
Don’t be afraid to do new things – and if you’re not naturally inventive, find someone on your team that is and empower them to consider new ideas.
3. Make decisions with your core values in mind
Your organization is filled with people who have different experiences, ideas, and opinions. Our Founding Fathers did not agree on all legal, economic, and political matters, but they shared common values that trumped those division points. As you consider the different fundraising ideas that are on the table, remember the core values held by your organization. When debates arise, resolve them in light of those values.
What are some other fundraising or leadership lessons that come to mind from our Founding Fathers?