One of my friendly news feeds from Google was kind enough to forward me this guest opinion piece from the Medford (Oregon, USA) Mail Tribune, titled Nonprofits face tumultuous times.

The piece was written by Brad Russell, CEO of the local YMCA there, and a board member of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.

Brad seems like a reflective guy who isn’t merely doing his ‘day job’ at the YMCA, but is also thinking and worrying about the bigger context in which his organization is functioning and must meet its fundraising needs.

It was interesting to read what is on the mind of an executive at the local coalface of trying to meet daunting human needs, as he thinks about the fundraising challenges ahead.

No discussion here about donor lifetime value, behavioral psychology, donor centrism, or opt-in permission strategies … topics Roger and I like to write about.

Brad voices what I’d call ‘meat and potato’ concerns …

• Fundraising getting more competitive and complicated;
• Local donors getting many more appeals from national organizations;
• Donors tiring of “traditional” fundraising approaches;
• Fewer donors making mid-level annual donations (and how to replace);
• Millennials wanting more direct involvement, but giving at lower levels;
• Cuts in federal and state funding — more people to serve, with less financial support to do so;
• These growing human service needs drawing donations away from the arts;
• How to communicate genuine need without appearing to “cry wolf”;
• Donors expecting nonprofits to collaborate more;
• Possible changes to the tax code adverse to philanthropy.

That’s quite a list for any nonprofit exec to worry about!

Yet here’s Brad’s heartening conclusion:

“In summary, I urge my colleagues to remain optimistic and resolute, to lead boldly, and to continue to reach out to the broader community. And I encourage everyone to continue to support local nonprofits, who both add vibrancy to our community and provide an essential safety net for our vulnerable friends and neighbors.”

Folks like Brad deserve the best possible fundraising advice out there. Are those of us sitting on the ‘advice’ side of the table getting the job done for them?

Tom