Fundraising as a performing art.

AuthorLevy, Reynold
PositionFrom Yours for the Asking - Book review

From Yours for the Asking by Reynold Levy. Copyright 2008 by the author. Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc. (www.wiley.com).

HOW MANY ACTIVITIES in life are as unpopular as fundraising? There's something very intimidating about approaching a friend or a relative stranger and requesting a gift. It's widely viewed as a bold and presumptuous act, one filled with the potential for awkwardness, embarrassment, disappointment, and rejection.

Chief executives of hospitals, universities, and cultural institutions often cite raising money as the least pleasant and most trying of their responsibilities. Many trustees, when faced with the choice, would prefer to donate more than they would otherwise rather than solicit others.

The average length of stay of the presidents of large nonprofits in almost any field is now some seven years. An important reason for such relatively short terms of service is carrying the burden of the relentless pursuit of charitable gifts, 24/7.

...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT