I have always felt that the word "fundraiser" stinks!
As a donor, I feel like "fundraiser" screams "salesperson". When a fundraiser calls me, I know I better hold on to my wallet and my checkbook.
The staff titles nonprofits use are pretty stinky too.
Do you really think the average person feels comfortable when they read these titles below?
Gift Officer (will I get arrested if I don't give?)
Director or Vice President of:
Institutional Advancement (surely the worst of the bunch)
Charitable Estate Planning
Real Estate Gifting
Gift Planning
Estate & Gift Planning
Planned Giving & Estate Administration
Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning
Charitable Estate Planning
Trusts & Estates
Donor Relations
Advancement
Development & Marketing
Institutional Advancement (surely the worst of the bunch)
Development
Advancement Development
Business Development
Executive
External Relations
Donor Ombudsman
Rather, I prefer (although I've never seen anyone use these) "Donor Engagement Facilitator", "Mission Engagement Facilitator", or simply "Engagement Facilitator". Those titles sound more inviting to me. In fact, I actually came up with these titles when I handed a fundraiser a check for $1,000 last year.
My titles above makes me feel like I can easily get engaged with the nonprofit's mission if I call that person... instead of being asked for money from a fundraiser or Director of Advancement.
Who says that you have to continue using those same old stodgy, confusing, and often meaningless titles anyway? I think they make donors feel uncomfortable. Donating to charity is a "familial" act (of, relating to, or occurring in a family or its members). It's a social act. The nonprofit titles above don't have an ounce of emotion. Yuck!
People want to engage first, then they'll give. Change your titles and I bet you'll raise more money.
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