LeadForward Vol.1 No. 1

The Joy in Responsible Giving — And Why Fundraisers Must See It Too by John Bromley

Fundraising

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

For years, I believed that giving was mostly about writing a check—an act of goodwill, yes, but often reactive. Someone would ask, a cause would tug at my heart, and I’d respond. That was the extent of it. But something shifted when I started asking a different question—not “Should I give?” but “Why do I give the way I do?” That shift opened a door to something far more meaningful: the realization that giving isn’t merely about generosity—it’s about alignment. About choice. About the joy that rises when we give not from pressure, but from purpose. That discovery changed the way I give. But just as important, it also changed how I think fundraisers should engage with givers like me. If there’s one thing I’ve come to believe deeply, it’s this: the future of philanthropy belongs to those who understand the donor’s mind, not just the organization’s mission. A Donor's Joy is a Fundraiser’s Responsibility Too often, fundraising is framed as the art of asking. But it’s actually the art of understanding. The fundraiser who succeeds is the one who realizes that behind every gift is a story, a value, a hope, or a lived experience. People give for deeply personal reasons—some rational, others emotional, all valid. The challenge is not merely to make a compelling pitch, but to enter the giver’s mental and emotional landscape with curiosity, respect, and empathy. When I give intentionally, I feel seen. Heard. Respected. That happens when the person on the other side of the table—or the other side of the email—has taken the time to understand what matters to me. They’re not selling a solution; they’re inviting me into a shared purpose. And when that happens, the giving becomes more than support. It becomes an investment. Investment in change I believe in. Fundraisers must become translators of mission into meaning. They must articulate why the mission matters—not in abstract terms, but in ways that connect with the donor’s inner convictions. I want to know that my gift doesn’t just help you meet a goal; I want to know that it helps me live out mine. Responsible Giving is a Two-Way Relationship Let’s be honest: as a donor, I’ve felt manipulated before. I’ve felt like an ATM instead of a partner. That happens when fundraisers approach me with assumptions, or worse, guilt. But when I’m approached with respect and insight, it flips the dynamic. I don’t feel like I’m being asked to help. I feel like I’m being invited to lead. And that’s a powerful difference. Fundraisers should not shy away from educating donors either. I didn’t always know about alternative giving vehicles—crypto, stock donations, even donor-advised funds.

"We want to encourage people to sort of take on the complexity of it and figure out how to find joy from creating their own pathway."

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