I’m Rudolph, of Sorts
No matter one’s culture, most are familiar with Rudolph. His bright nose guided a generous soul through foggy conditions to people and places he wanted to uplift with gifts and attention.
As a liaison between a large state research university and its base of 500,000+ alumni, I’m often in the position of guiding individuals intending to gift their time, perspective, network, and assets to their alma mater. They need someone to light the way across a vast system of options to specific areas and initiatives that align with their priorities.
Before lighting the way, it’s necessary for me to be nosy. Though non-profits have wish lists when it comes to what ‘gifts’ they desire, most are appreciative of all acts of generosity. The magic is in clarifying what someone is interested in giving, what or who would benefit from that gift, and the mechanism to see it through. When this step is skipped, it leads those offering help to believe their generosity isn’t appreciated, the level of their contribution isn’t significant to the organization, and that their imagined ways to be helpful aren’t needed. Additionally, it prevents those who work for the non-profit from finding meaningful options in an efficient and mutually-rewarding fashion.
I like to ask those I’m attempting to guide for genuine answers to the questions that follow — reassuring those surveyed that their honest responses are the only correct answers.
- Which options for alumni involvement appeal to you: volunteer, advocate, perspective/knowledge contributor, connector, donor?
- What situations, programs and interests are you prioritizing for the involvement(s) you seek?
- What level of involvement (frequency, time commitment, visibility, dollar amounts, etc.) are you intending to contribute?
Most of the alumni I assist are interested in some combination of the involvement options noted in Question 1, though there are some who prefer one specific avenue to support our university. The answers to the above questions serve as data points that I use to map our route to their eventual arrival at a destination that is prepared to excitedly receive what is offered in a meaningful way for the alumnus.
To those who care about a specific non-profit, but feel it is only interested in engaging you in a single way that doesn’t suit your priorities and capacity, consider directing the questions noted above — with the modifications found below — to a relevant staff member. Odds are good the organization wants to have this discussion. It’s possible that those you’ve intersected with to date have a singular focus in the organization or are awkward with discussing the spectrum of gift options.
- Which options for involvement exist within your organization: volunteer, advocate, perspective/knowledge contributor, connector, donor?
- What situations, programs and interests related to your organization are in need of my involvement?
- What level of involvement (frequency, time commitment, visibility, dollar amount) would I be expected to contribute?
To those in non-profits who have been interacting with constituents for years without guiding them to a meaningful relationship with your organization, get nosy with questions and use what you learn to light the way to amazing outcomes.
