Why fundraisers need to take a step back and reflect on their projects to be more effective in their future fundraising efforts
By Gary L. Bukowski, MA, CFRE September 19, 2024
Last Saturday morning I drove across town to our St. Ann’s Campus where we are engaged in a $1,300,000 St. Ann’s Enhancement Project to make major improvements to our 100-year-old building, both to its exterior and interior, enhancing it for the children we serve there and preserving its rich history as we celebrate its Centennial year. I went to water the gardens and the newly placed plants in the front of the school. Why are you doing that, you may ask?
I feel that we as fundraisers need to take more joy in the projects we have worked so hard to raise funds for and bring to fruition.
As fundraisers, we need to reflect more on our efforts and celebrate our accomplishments to re-energize ourselves before we take on our next fundraising Mt. Everest.
Take some time to find out how your project is being utilized by the teachers, students, families, and organization – is it meeting the donors' expectations?
As I watered the plants that morning, I reflected on the incredible work that was done to bring this garden back to life thanks to the help of so many people. ServeErie volunteers helped us greatly and resurrected it in the Summer of 2022. Before then it was looking pretty bad; now it is a great space for the kids and staff at St. Ann’s to enjoy. They simply walk out the door and they can be in a quiet place that many of them thoroughly enjoy and need (even in the heart of the city!).
With that effort spawned our Phase #1 $600,000 revitalization of the St. Ann’s Campus, a former school on Erie’s East Side in the Pulaski-Lighthouse District.
As I spent time watering the plants and picking up debris in the parking lot that morning, it gave me time to reflect on the progress we have made in the last 700+ days – the challenges, successes, and movement forward.
Over these last two years we started a Summer Program and have helped over 200 children with behavioral challenges thanks to our devoted staff. We opened up new horizons for the children through art and poetry, enhancing their self-worth; created a flourishing library out of a bunch of empty shelves; now we are planning a program to increase and enhance excellence in reading. We’ve improved the facility through the installation of new roofs, a new HVAC system, completed major phone and IT enhancement, secured new school furniture, Promethean SmartBoards and Smart TVs, and began repointing the exterior of the building to bring it back to its historic beauty.
Fundraisers, you need to go back to your projects that you have toiled so hard on and reflect on your hard work as I did. During this well-spent time, I came away with more innovative ideas for improvements and enhancements for the children we serve, and hopefully these latest ideas will provide our children new opportunities that they never would have experienced if they had not come to our St. Ann’s Campus.
In the garden I saw shrubs that were donated by a spouse who recently lost her husband. She and her family wanted us to have them because of an earlier experience they shared at this very school years ago. These vibrant green shrubs are now a living memorial and will continue to provide beauty for many years to come.
This is only one effort of many in my fundraising tenure, but these reflections can do so much to enhance what I call our “Fundraising Sixth Sense” and make you more sensitive and effective while you immerse yourself in future projects.
The St. Ann’s Renovation Project when completed will be a $1,300,000 plan of action, which to date has already begun to make a difference in children’s lives and enhance the neighborhood. Recently while putting in two new roofs, the light at the front of the campus was disconnected while construction was taking place. During this time, a woman called to tell us that the light that we formerly had shining on the American flag was out, which she noticed from across the street when she got up at 2:00 AM to take her nightly medication. It mattered to her and it matters to us. I’m happy to say that the light is back shining on Old Glory after our new roofs were installed and completed by Farrell Roofing!
Take the time to immerse yourself in your accomplishments and take pride in what you have helped create. Taking that crucial time to look back and reflect is important for you, your mental health and the future donors you will engage and work with. You will be a more effective, compassionate fundraiser because of it.
Carpe Diem! Take the time to look back and find the joy in your accomplishments and the difference that you are making for so many!
To learn more about our Phase #2 efforts at the St. Ann’s Campus, please visit https://www.sarahreed.org/events/phase-2