Earlier this summer I attended a conference called “Connecting to Collections; A Call to Action” sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Call to Action” was a national tour held in four cities over the course of two years.
“Stewardship of America’s Legacy: Answering the Call to Action,” was the fourth and final session I attended in Buffalo, N.Y., and it explored how committed individuals, ranging from small town librarians to directors of national conservation training programs, can work together to improve collections care and to inspire and inform others, both nationally and in their communities.
So, what did I learn? Passion for your cause and building and sustaining relationships to support that cause are what matter when looking for support for your organization. Was this a surprise? Of course not. Don’t we all learn early in our careers that it’s never what you know but who you know?
There were, however, some surprising statistics Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, president of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, cited from a report compiled by Giving USA.
Did you know that in 2008 83 percent of charitable contributions came from individuals and bequests? 83 percent! The remainder came from foundations and corporations.
Also part of the study; what is the number one reason an individual contributes to a cause? Because they were asked or presented with the opportunity for giving!
Presenter after presenter emphasized the significance of relationships, and not just building them but also sustaining them…which speaks to the final point in the Giving USA study: 60 percent of those who STOPPED giving to a charitable organization attributed their behavior to no longer feeling connected to the cause.
The bottom line? Even as the country’s economic woes continue, people who share your passion still want to help out and contribute, but you have to ask! In order to gain that support you need to have a well thought out plan and the ability to carry it out.
You also need to remember those people once they’ve contributed! It’s always easy to reach out, contact people, and network while you’re looking for help, but don’t abandon those people once they’ve stepped up for you! Keep them engaged and grateful that they’re part of your organization and efforts.