My Why

In the nonprofit sector, we often emphasize the importance of understanding our "why." In my first blog post I’d like to take a moment to share my "why," which I discovered 14 years ago when I transitioned into the world of nonprofits as a second career.

One of the biggest challenges nonprofit leaders face is retaining their fundraisers. According to a recent study, the average tenure of a fundraiser is only 18 months, and 50% of fundraisers plan to leave their role in the next two years. Even worse, about 30% have said they plan to leave the fundraising field completely within two years. The nonprofit sector will be in crisis very soon if these trends don’t begin to reverse. This alarming situation is one of the many reasons I decided to launch LMC Nonprofits Solutions, Inc.

Diving deeper into the studies, several key reasons for this trend emerge:

Perceived lack of career path: Many fundraisers feel stuck in their roles, with no clear opportunities for advancement or recognition. They often feel underappreciated and undervalued by their managers and board members.

Lack of professional development and training: Many fundraisers lack the skills and competencies they need to succeed in a constantly evolving environment. They may not have access to adequate training, coaching, mentoring, or networking opportunities to enhance their knowledge and abilities.

Unrealistic goals: Many fundraisers are expected to meet unrealistic and unsustainable fundraising targets without sufficient resources, support, or guidance. They may also face pressure from multiple stakeholders, such as donors, beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers, who have different expectations and demands.

These factors can lead to frustration, burnout, dissatisfaction, and ultimately attrition among fundraisers. I love fundraising, and leading development teams, and I have proven track record of success. I can help you elevate your development team and reduce turnover, leading to less stress for you and more time to focus on your organization’s why – your mission.