82. From Stress to Success: Transforming Your Fundraising Mindset with Mallory Erickson
About this episode
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or burned out in your fundraising role? As a development professional, I've certainly experienced those feelings. But what if I told you there's a way to transform your approach to fundraising that not only improves results but also enhances your well-being? In my recent conversation with Mallory Erickson, author of "What the Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose," we explored groundbreaking insights that can revolutionize how we approach fundraising. From understanding the science behind our stress responses to embracing alignment in our work, Mallory's wisdom offers a fresh perspective on an age-old challenge. In this post, I'll share key takeaways from our discussion that promise to help you overcome personal resistance, boost your confidence, and create better experiences for both you and your supporters.
The Science of Fundraising Stress
One of the most eye-opening aspects of my conversation with Mallory was her explanation of how our brains and bodies respond to the challenges of fundraising. She likened our nervous system to different states of water – running water when we're grounded, steam when we're in fight or flight, and ice when we're frozen. Understanding these states can help us recognize and manage our stress responses more effectively.
Mallory pointed out that many common fundraising experiences, such as rejection, uncertainty, and power dynamics, can trigger our stress response. This explains why we might feel resistance to tasks like making phone calls or asking for donations, even when we intellectually know they're important. By acknowledging these feelings as normal and natural, we can start to work with our bodies rather than against them.
Embracing Alignment in Fundraising
Another crucial concept Mallory shared was "alignment fundraising." This approach emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with our values and the organization's mission. It's about moving away from a purely transactional, numbers-focused mindset and towards building meaningful relationships with donors.
I was particularly struck by Mallory's suggestion to measure success differently. Instead of focusing solely on monetary goals, she proposed considering how well we're aligning with our donors and our mission. This shift in perspective can help reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.
Practical Strategies for Transformation
Mallory shared several practical strategies that we can implement immediately:
Cultivate curiosity: When faced with resistance or fear, get curious about where those feelings are coming from. This can help create space for new possibilities.
Acknowledge discomfort: Recognize that feeling uncomfortable is normal in fundraising. Not all discomfort is bad – sometimes it's a sign we're growing or staying true to our values.
Focus on removing barriers: Instead of always trying to add new strategies, look at what's holding you back and work on removing those obstacles.
Prioritize and focus: Mallory shared how she grew fundraising by 10 times in six months by focusing intensely on one area (corporate partnerships) rather than trying to do everything at once.
These strategies aren't just theoretical – they're grounded in real-world experience and backed by science. By implementing them, we can not only improve our fundraising results but also find more joy and fulfillment in our work.
Inspired and Energized
My conversation with Mallory Erickson left me feeling inspired and energized about the future of fundraising. By understanding the science behind our stress responses, embracing alignment in our work, and implementing practical strategies for transformation, we can revolutionize our approach to fundraising. This isn't just about raising more money – it's about creating a more sustainable, fulfilling career for ourselves and building stronger relationships with our donors.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on these ideas. Have you experienced burnout or disconnection in your fundraising role? What strategies have you found helpful in overcoming these challenges? Please share your experiences in the comments below.
If you find this episode valuable, I encourage you to share it with your colleagues in the nonprofit sector. Together, we can create a more aligned, effective, and fulfilling fundraising landscape.
With boundless gratitude,
Tammy Zonker
Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Our guest
Mallory Erickson, Executive Coach, Fundraising Consultant, Author, Host of the Podcast What the Fundraising
LinkedIn / Instagram / Podcast / Book / Contact / Website
“Our striving for perfectionism is about protection from the perception that we aren't good enough.”
Mallory Erickson, Executive Coach, Fundraising Consultant, Author, Host of the Podcast What the Fundraising
Resources mentioned in this episode
What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose
What The Fundraising Podcast
FundraisingAI Global Summit
Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin
ChatGPT
Perplexity AI
Claude
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