Years ago, I had lunch with a colleague (John Bordeaux). We had a lovely time getting to know one another. (We had both done the same job, many years apart and the organization is still close to my heart.)
He had many interesting things to say, but one really stuck with me. I think you’ll like it, too.
(John graciously agreed to help me put his idea in writing. So from this point on, I can only claim partial credit as the author. The funny parts are totally John’s.)
John explained that in fundraising, there are two kinds of people: there are magicians, and there are farmers.
Magicians
Magicians arrive in a flash of light. They have people oohing and ahhing. They claim to perform miracles. They use misdirection, fun, and tricks. Everyone loves a magic show.
Farmers
Then there are farmers. It’s pretty boring to watch them work. Lots of the same thing, over and over. It’s hard to tell on a day-to-day basis if they’re making progress. Worse, they may even ask people to jump in and help from time to time.
After a lot of hard work, the farmer serves up a bounty – a聽cornucopia, a聽Thanksgiving dinner. And the well-tended fields will yield again.
So which are you?
Some of the most important work gets done quietly. (Think about keeping data in order.) But the less glamorous stuff matters – a lot.
Magicians disappear in a poof of smoke. There’s nothing left but glitter and an orphaned bunny.
So be smart. Build for tomorrow. Think about the long-term – especially when it comes to relationships. Be a farmer.
PS: John points out that if we fundraising folks are going to use our own terminology – “cultivate,” “steward,” etc. – we must acknowledge that these come from farming/animal husbandry backgrounds.
Photo by Edson Junior on Unsplash
Farmer. My family was farmers for generations. The read kind, not the fundraising kind. We need to remember that farmers know how to spread manure, too.
I’d thought of that one, but worried just how far to take the metaphor, Jim. 馃檪 Thanks.
That’s the problem with a metaphor. Someone is going to take it a little far. On the other hand, farmers don’t waste anything, especially if it will get another crop out of the earth.
Does that lead us into those lapsed donors?
It could. How long lapsed?
Oh dear. It must be past my bedtime. Because that one took me a few seconds! 馃檪
An interesting idea, Mary. For what its worth I think a good fundraiser should be a magician for public consumption and a farmer in the non public facing part of the job: magicians dont make brilliant researchers!
Well, we certainly have to have a public face, Charlie. And I guess every once in a while it’s great to be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat!
Great analogy, Mary! I tend to be more of a farming type of fundraiser, however, I think it is not the only skill needed in fundraising. I would like to quote a section of Jonathan Farnhill’s book ‘the Porcupine Principle’ which I love:
“No one person can do all of these things and it would be absurd to think they could. Fundraising is so multi-faceted that it absolutely demands teams rather than individuals. The real trick as a fundraiser is to know what you can do, and what you cannot, and to be comfortable with that. You then need to be good at spotting your lion-tamers, gophers, bean-counters and the rest. Finally, and most importantly, you need to charm them into getting involved.” (p.18)
I like that very much! We don’t work alone – even if we’re the only development staff. And everyone has a role to play.
Indeed! 馃檪
Boards are attracted to magicians, but in the end will only really trust farmers. You have to know what to be when
It’s true. I think it only works if the magicians understand that, underneath, they need to be farmers, though.
I’ve seen too many flashy folks come and go in no time, leaving nothing much to show for their tenure. Inevitably, they bounce to the next job and the next in the same way.
I’d say better to be a farmer who knows some magic and can put on a show when needed.
wonderful insight. Really enjoyed skimming through this blog.
Keep up the good work and to everyone keep on learning!
This is such a great analogy. Thank you for sharing. I suppose people who don’t understand fundraising, are enamored with the magician. Yes, the oooh’s and ahh’s. But the farmer, who has been working from sun up to sundown, behind the scenes, planting seeds, watering the ground… they are the ones with the bountiful feast. And out of the kindness and goodness of their hearts, they are willing to invite others to the table, who are in need of a good meal. And they do it without asking for anything in return… and it’s those good feelings that yield the result of inspired compassion and giving. I’ll take a farmer any day over the magician.
Thanks, Michelle! I’m with you… I’ll just keep plodding along, behind the plow, hoping something will grow.