Is It The Money?

It’s an old truism that development is more than just fundraising.

In other words, you’re only doing part of the job if you’re laser-focused on the funds you’re going after.

Not that bringing in funds isn’t important – we won’t be here (tomorrow) if we don’t bring in funds (today).

But there’s more to life in the fundraising lane than chasing after immediate dollars.

Because there’s more to raising funds than raising cash.

Anyone who’s been in fundraising for awhile knows the importance of tending to relationships, expanding organizational visibility, and building the backbone of a cadre of askers. Among other big-picture agenda items.

But the $64,000 question is: how do you allocate your time, in an era of dwindling resources, to make sure you’re tending the roots of the garden?

And even more profound: how do you allocate the time of your advocates – your board, volunteers, committee members – to make sure the garden’s going to flourish a Spring or two away?

Relevant questions, in the (hopefully) waning days of winter 2011…