Giving Compass' Take:

• The author provides three options to collect social and cultural capital through building a team of networkers, asking questions, and staying committed to donors for the long haul.

• How integral is networking to fundraising? What other tools are useful when trying to engage donors? 

• Read about I.G. Advisors' top tips for major gifts fundraising. 

The fear and trepidation sets in an hour before a tour with a potential donor. I remember that I do not come from a privileged background. I do not speak the same language as the affluent man or woman who drove in from the suburbs to stop for the first time in the inner city of Boston. I’ve never been on a European vacation and I do not own a vacation home. Then I remember what I look like- the physical manifestation of my lack of privilege.

. My colleagues often chastised me for not peeking my head out of my office for more than ten minutes to take part in the office festivities. But fundraising and grant-writing pushed me outside of my comfort zone and I enjoyed it. My strengths as an attentive listener and my love for assimilating information were put to good use.

However, I quickly realized that your success as a fundraiser is not solely dependent on your skills but is contingent on the net worth of your network.

Month after month, I questioned whether sincerity and hard work were enough to become an effective fundraising professional. I questioned whether I should change who I was to get ahead. And at what cost? For anyone who’s ever felt this way, here are the top 3 lessons I have learned so far about navigating and making it in mainstream philanthropy when you lack a certain cultural and social capital.

  • It’s Not Who You Know But Who Others on Your Team Know
  • Listen. A Lot. Ask Questions. A Lot.
  • Take the Long Haul Approach

Read the full article about lacking social and cultural capital by Johane Alexis-Phanor at Medium