The Wrong Capital Project—No Matter How Much It is Needed
No matter how much it is needed, no matter how it might be essential, a campaign project that is pushed by leadership that really has no philanthropic interests and connection probably won’t succeed in the end…no matter the amount of lipstick on the pig.
I'm currently working with a client regarding a campaign project. They're very clear as to what they need. I understand it completely. I just don't think anybody will give money to it. The leadership does a really great job of explaining the importance, how it fits into the bigger strategic plan, and why it's critical from a legal perspective. Again, I don't think anybody really is going to fund this.
The intention of everyone involved is good and pure. But somehow, not just with this client but with many, we've lost sight of the fact that there are certain things that are fundable from a philanthropic perspective and certain things that donors aren't probably going to have much interest in. That doesn't make the donors bad people. That doesn't make the leadership in a nonprofit evil in any way, shape, or form. But the disconnect can be maddening.
I always try to remind myself, and my clients, that philanthropy doesn't mean money or need. It means love of mankind. Love of humankind. It means wanting to help someone else with their trials and tribulations most likely understanding that they don't know the end recipients. Philanthropists are doing this because they believe in making a difference. They want to see positive gains in the community or society. They want to see measurable outcomes of improvement.
I worked with a really amazing facilities and strategic planning leader earlier in my career. Each year, he'd come quietly to either my office or in a meeting and nudge me and ask if there was any philanthropic opportunities for parking lots and garages. It was a real issue for our nonprofit. He was genuine. He was correct--there was a parking problem. And while I always told him that I would keep my ears open, the likelihood of finding someone who wanted to fund parking outside of a larger integrated project was between slim and none. Unfortunately, each year I was right.
This project will be an interesting one. It'll be one of moving really dedicated and bright leaders to a place where they can better understand philanthropy and those who want to make charitable gifts. To help them understand impact and value. In doing so, they might find alternative ways to fund the project that probably no one will have that much interest in. And at the same time engage community leaders and philanthropists where they want to be… making true impact on people's lives.
