There Are No Doorbell Cameras in Fundraising

Becca Rosin

Character is what you do when no one's looking.

Think about an unattended bowl of Halloween candy with a “please take one” sign. How do you react? Maybe it depends on who you’re with, your prior exposure to similar situations, or the amount of candy you already have. Or maybe it’s about ethics.

Most of us heed the sign on the bowl of candy—but why?

Think about this:
The candy is being given away. The sign is a suggestion, phrased as a request. There’s no law against taking more than one piece. The candy will be gone eventually, as there’s not an infinite amount. Those who find the bowl empty won’t know how the candy ran out, yet they’ll still feel disappointment.

The candy-bowl conundrum also applies to fundraising. You’re working for a good cause with positive intent, but revenue-based work has its caveats. How and where an organization and its fundraisers obtain funds and what they use them for are important for donors—they want to know that the good cause they invest in is legitimate every step of the way. Like those putting out the Halloween candy, if they find it’s been taken advantage of, they’ll be less likely to put it out the following year.

Donor trust is essential for donor retention and the key for an organization to thrive, so knowing how to earn and keep it is essential.

Blackbaud University’s two-part blended learning course for ethical fundraising will help you navigate common dilemmas faced by fundraising professionals.

• Fundraising Ethics - Part 1 is a self-paced eLearning that explores the framework of ethical behavior. Use the downloadable workbook as a guide to frequently encountered situations in fundraising, industry standards of conduct, and how to create a sound ethical climate at your own organization. You’ll apply these concepts to simulations to practice applying your ethical knowledge. Be sure to bring your completed workbook to the second portion of the course.
• Fundraising Ethics - Part 2 is a discussion-based course facilitated by an industry expert. Through peer interaction and feedback, you’ll assess and analyze ethical situations to strengthen your knowledge and application of ethical decision-making. You’ll share perspectives and personal experiences for an intimate and positive learning experience with the end goal of self- and organizational evaluation.

Discussing ethics doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. It’s one of those things—like candy—that’s better when it’s shared.