THE FOUR AGREEMENTS of Fundraising

Confession: I frequently think about how Don Miguel Ruiz’s THE FOUR AGREEMENTS applies to fundraising.

Do any of you know that book? (I’ve gifted it more times than I can remember & there’s currently TWO copies on my bookshelf!) 📖

• “Be Impeccable with Your Word”

Instead of the initialism ABC standing for “Always Be Closing” (Ick!), why not try “Always Be Candid”?

Strive to be as transparent as possible during your fundraising conversations: don’t “sugarcoat” or “spin” & don’t pretend to know an answer when you don’t. (Find the answer & circle back: what a great opportunity for a FOLLOW-UP!) Being candid can be challenging, but it will lead to building a deeper trust with this community member.

• “Don’t Take Anything Personally”

If you’re making fundraising Asks, you’re going to hear “no.” A lot. It’s not about you. Shift your mindset and see “no” as a GIFT: it’s an opportunity to get deeper into the conversation. Ask the community member if they are willing to share why they aren’t interested in getting involved right now (their answer may surprise you!).

• “Don’t Make Assumptions”

You have NO IDEA how this person relates to money, so don’t even try. Remember my “Jeans Theory”?

A person who makes $30K/year may think that spending $300 on a pair of jeans is a worthy investment; a person who makes $300K/year may never dream of spending more than $30 on a pair of jeans. So make your Ask and patiently, quietly wait to hear the community member’s response (& avoid telling yourself a story about how they’ll respond!).

• “Always Do Your Best”

Fundraising is an act of VULNERABILITY. Every day, every conversation, every Ask is different. Simply be the best YOU that you can be at any given time – you’re enough, I promise.

Does anyone else have a favorite personal or business development book you find yourself revisiting? Feel free to share takeaways & recs!