Since this is a blog comment and not my personal soap box (although I am seriously considering starting my OWN blog on this very subject), I’ll just answer ONE of your many great questions/comments.

Sean asked:Is it possible that individual donors will begin to embrace the idea of helping build great non-profits?

Leanne says:Absolutely! The rub will be in how donors are viewed. Coming from the faith arena of nonprofit work, I can tell you we’re still about a decade “behind” normal NFP work in terms of leadership, infrastructure and donor engagement but even in other organizations, I still see a old school mentality of “us” versus “them” that simply amazes me.

I don’t think the problem in fundraising is the donors, or lack thereof, as much as I think it’s in the organization itself.

As one who is both a “giver” and and “asker”, I can tell you that I’ve bumped up against the organizations and causes I consistently contribute to (7, although I just “dropped” 3 of those)and their inability to “get it” when it comes to engaging me.

Even when I gently and politely tell them what it is I am looking for when I send them money (a key Gen X desire for meaning/contribution, by the way)they still erect “walls” that separate rather than create collaboration.

It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen but then what else would you expect with “group think”, right?

Lest this sound as if I’m basing nonprofits, let me assure you I AM. It is just completely ridiculous to me that people still treat donors as donors instead of the partners and fellow workers they are.

We’ll tell you what we want IF you tell us what you need, free of bullshit and other “methods” of engagement, but don’t dare ask us to embrace change if you’re not willing to do the same.

You ask, Sean, if donors will be able to make the shift toward building truly sustainable and impacting organizations.

My answer? Only as much as we are allowed.