Two Fundraising Cultures: From Fundraising to Friendraising

Don’t miss this special fundraising toolbox series from AFP Master Trainer Jason Lewis. This four-part series will give you the tools you need to raise money and operate efficiently in the digital age.

Session #1: Two Fundraising Cultures

The Two Fundraising Cultures model is a systems archetype which mirrors similar behavioral patterns that are observable in many other aspects of our personal and professional lives. For our purposes, the “shifting the burden archetype” distinguishes between a fundraising culture that consistently shifts the burden for additional support to initial and often trivial gifts versus a culture that relies on meaningful relationships as the pathway to meaningful and significant levels of support. The fundamental solution in the bottom loop is never as immediately attractive as the symptomatic solution that we turn to in the top loop. In order for the fundamental solution to take hold, we often have to redefine the problem itself which often prevents us from assuming the symptomatic solution is the right path to follow.

• Distinguish between a fundraising culture and a relationship-driven culture
• Discover the tools available to build meaningful digital relationships with donors
• How to shift from trivial gifts to significant support

About the Speaker

Jason Lewis
CFRE, AFP Master Trainer

Jason Lewis provides the sector with an often needed contrarian voice, willing to question deeply engrained beliefs and assumptions of how effective fundraising really works. Whether writing or speaking, Jason challenges the prevailing wisdom about effective fundraising practices, hiring decisions, and donor behavior. In the last two decades, Jason has raised millions of dollars for a variety of non-profits organizations throughout the United States. Jason has been certified and recertified as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and recognized as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Master Trainers. Jason is the author of The War for Fundraising Talent; an honest yet hopeful critique of professional fundraising, intended especially for small shops that find it difficult to consistently achieve their fundraising goals. Jason is also the host of The Fundraising Talent Podcast. Every week, Jason and his guest have an honest conversation about what it means to be a fundraising professional.