Paris And A Sector Of Optimistic Grinders

November 17, 2015      Tom Belford

Tom Watson has written an excellent column in the Chronicle of Philanthropy reflecting on the aftermath of the Paris attacks — The Horror of the Paris Attacks Reminds Us Why Nonprofits Matter.

He opens fittingly with this quote from Voltaire: “Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable.”

Commenting on the “self-anointed army of do-gooders, volunteers, and givers that believes in the work itself as a product”, he observes later in the piece: “I am struck not so much at the powerlessness of those who pursue human development and social change — though that is tempting — as by their stubborn optimism in the face of unrelenting misery.”

And then adds: “We are a sector of grinders.”

Optimistic grinders. Ain’t that the truth?!

I’ve had the opportunity to work as a marketer in both the nonprofit and ‘for profit’ sectors.

In the latter, the thrill comes from having ample resources and fast-moving, ready-to-innovate, strategically-attuned and fiercely competitive clients. An exhilerating environment, but one where often the thrill is merely in the chase. After all, where’s the redeeming social value in helping the cable company clobber the phone company?

In the nonprofit sector, there’s also an element of ‘the chase’ … succeeding at fundraising and advocacy despite deficient budgets and powerful opponents. Getting a thrill from being the underdog and occasionally biting the ankles of those standing in the way.

But the real thrill comes from adding fuel to engines of change that matter. Habitat for Humanity was once a client, and I never saw a more direct connection between successful fundraising and its fruits … or felt better about what I did.

I hope you feel that way as a fundraiser. As the politicians and security forces mobilize to protect against atrocity, we in the nonprofit sector need to soldier on in our quiet, grinding, optimistic way, adding dollops of hope for the people and causes we serve.

Tom

3 responses to “Paris And A Sector Of Optimistic Grinders”

  1. claire axelrad says:
    November 17, 2015 at 2:31 am

    So glad to see others are blogging on this topic. I did as well today, noting that in the face of horrific events like those we witnessed last week the role of civil society becomes more important than ever. For folks who are interested, here is my contribution. http://www.clairification.com/2015/11/16/philanthropy-love-of-humankind-needed-now-more-than-ever/

    Fittingly, today, and all this week, we celebrate the United Nation’s International Day for Tolerance. What can each of us do? I quote the Talmud: “Whoever saves a single life, it is considered as if he save the entire world.” It is incumbent on each of us to do what we can, especially when problems seem huge and insurmountable. If everyone saved a life, then the entire world truly would be saved.

  2. Simone Joyaux says:
    November 17, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    Lovely piece, Tom. As Claire says, civil society… And we can add justice and power and humanity and humane and….

    I have family and friends in France. France is my other home. See Simone Uncensored, posted yesterday, with my thoughts.

  3. Gail Perry says:
    November 18, 2015 at 12:06 am

    Thanks for this uplifting piece. Our work matters so much. And it’s hard to do. I’ll vote for adding dollops of hope wherever I can!

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