Nonprofit fundraisers are magical creatures. Through a mixture of science and art, they conjure connections between individuals’ better desires and nonprofit missions to spark change in the world. Magical, I tell ya.
Fundraisers are also a passionate, determined breed. Studies show that fundraisers work an average of five to twelve hours of overtime each week. Again. And again. And again. Those hours get longer as the days get shorter when the holidays approach. And, year after year, the job gets yet more challenging as program beneficiaries’ needs grow and nonprofit budgets increase.
Magical, passionate and determined, though they may be, nonprofit fundraisers are often bright stars that burnout fast. The average tenure for a fundraiser is just 16 months. This fact is not only deeply felt by the individual fundraisers but by the nonprofit sector as a whole. High turnover rates combine with struggles in finding qualified candidates to result in long-term vacancies in development positions. Those empty development desks present serious challenges to nonprofits and their missions.
There is good news, though. Some very smart people are offering recommendations on how to stem this tide. Studies like Fundraising Bright Spots, books like Donor Centered Leadership, and coaching from experts like Amy Eisenstein are great when it comes to advocating for your career. But how do you take care of yourself? What can be done to make sure your batteries are recharged?
{loadposition blog-ad-general}Beth Kanter’s new book, The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact without Burnout, highlights this important fact:
Burnout sneaks up on you, seeping into your life little by little, making it hard to recognize and easy to ignore. If undetected and untreated, burnout can lead to an extreme situation where you are no longer able to function effectively on a personal or professional level.
I can attest to the truth of this. Before I joined the Soapbox Engage team, I spent over a decade as a fundraiser. I got to the point where I would cringe, wanting to avoid checking my email or answer the phone. I felt cynical toward the work I was doing. This began taking its toll outside my work life. I did not have any sort of self-care practice and I definitely didn’t put myself first.
Thankfully, Beth not only identifies the symptoms. She goes on to provide solutions, guiding you through a framework to take care of yourself and implement the necessary organizational change to bring healthier practices to the workplace. Self-care is not one mediation session. Self-care truly means that you’re attuned to and understand what you need to be your most constructive, effective, and authentic self.
As you gear up for the exciting end of the year, let us help top off your tank and ensure the refill station is easy to find! Watch our free webinar, How to Raise More Money Without Burning Out, with special guest presenter Beth Kanter herself.
This is not to be missed! Join for you and for your mission, magical one. Because without your passion and drive, we won’t be nearly as successful in changing the world.
Related content:
- WEBINAR RECORDING: How to Raise More Money Without Burning Out, with special guest presenter Beth Kanter
- BLOG: Preventing Fundraiser Burnout as an Executive Director: An Interview with Beth Zimmerman of Pets for Patriots
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