Fundraising Loses Exceptional Friend
Most Agitator readers have just lost an exceptional friend of fundraising they didn’t even know about.
Marie Burnett died last Thursday, June 6, in London.
We fundraisers have lost a talented, joy-filled comrade. Her sons Joe and Charlie Burnett have lost a gregarious, loving, doting, you-add-the-adjective mother. And Ken Burnett has lost a lifelong partner of nearly half a century and a pal so remarkable and energetic as to defy any brief description.
The remarkable Marie would instantly kick my ass for even calling this an obit. Let’s just say it’s a motivational blurb for those who aspire to a higher calling.
Most readers already know of Ken Burnett from his classic Relationship Fundraising and his frequent contributions and mentions of his work in The Agitator. What you may not be aware of are the even greater contributions Marie and Ken have made in advancing our craft though their publishing house– The White Lion Press.
In our fundraising world of frequent hype and sugar-coated nonsense White Lion Press stands out. Notable, among many achievements, for its “Tiny” series of fundraising gems that deliver the goods. And deliver because of the real, honest and tough editorial standards of Marie Burnett.
Marie didn’t mince words. She never hesitated to call “bullshit” “bullshit” but did so in that most charming “British way.” When I shared an early draft of my book Retention Fundraising with her it included the illustration of a leaky bucket with bandages (the Brits call ‘em “plasters”) to block the leaks.
Marie’s response:
“I love the leaky bucket idea and I like the images and background of the sketches with just the bucket because they are light, bright, almost sparkly far more than those with plasters. I realise that the plasters are showing that the problem can be solved, but they are so dingy and the plasters so shabby that they look like an attempt to plug the holes that is failing.
“Am I being too literal?
“Maybe both images aren’t explaining the book correctly? It is a book about fixing things, hopefully forever, rather than just plugging holes. Water will seep slowly through a plaster before gushing through eventually.”
Needless to say, her insights met with no resistance. I yanked the “plasters” off.
And then there is SOFII– the Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration—the greatest online collection of fundraising campaigns, case studies and good advice on Earth. Thank Marie who, along with Ken, son Joe and teams of volunteers, devoted years and years to creating and maintaining this one-of-a-kind resource readily available to all of us
Beyond books, SOFII, and her sharp editorial mind I could always count on Marie’s down-to-earth, no-nonsense take on the often self-congratulatory, puffed up vision of the withering white world of male-dominated fundraising.
I especially relished her description of an AFP conference in Baltimore a few years back when she was called upon to serve as the substitute presenter for the I Wish I’d Have Thought Of That session because husband Ken was blocked from the gig because U.S. Immigration had denied him a visa.
Here are Marie’s observations in a morning after email to The Agitator:
“I did it! I didn’t faint, throw up over the great and the good wandering around wearing medals (what’s that about?) or generally make a complete prat of myself.
“I exaggerate, but only slightly. It was in the bar after the weirdest dinner I have ever attended. It mainly consisted of men with sculpted hair and very smart suits making long-winded speeches saying how wonderful they are. It would have been a yawn-fest had it not been so ridiculous.
“And medals were being dished out. If you, Ken and Jennie Thompson had been there we would have had a great laugh. Except there was no wine provided – this was not funny.”
Marie, you’ve more than earned an Eternal Agitator Raise. And I sure know where to send it.
Roger
P.S. I’m also sending along a gift to SOFII to honor Marie and to express my thanks for all she made possible. I hope you’ll join me. This is the link to SOFII’s donate page.
11 responses to “Fundraising Loses Exceptional Friend”
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Such sad news. While I never met Marie personally, we’ve engaged in numerous emails over the years. What a charming, thoroughly delightful woman, always focused on the best for our sector. SOFII and White Lion Press…all a smart fundraiser really needs to succeed.
Such sad news. While I never met Marie personally, we’ve engaged in numerous emails over the years. What a charming, thoroughly delightful woman, always focused on the best for our sector. SOFII and White Lion Press…all a smart fundraiser really needs to succeed.
Hello Roger,
Thank you so much for this witty and kind ‘motivational blurb’ in honour of Marie Burnett. Thank you also for your generous donation to SOFII received yesterday. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Marie’s longstanding voluntary work with SOFII since its foundation.
I was with Marie in Baltimore for IWITOT at the AFP ICON. She was indeed nervous standing in for Ken but rose to the challenge magnificently, bravely, wittily and with charm. And wearing an immaculate white suit matched with the perfect pair of heels.
I will miss her.
Best,
Sue Kershaw
Development Director
SOFII
I had numerous conversations with Marie as I helped to distribute a portion of the “tiny” series of books. She was great and as you captured ever so honest!
Thank you, Roger, for giving us more Marie. I ran into her many times over the years at this and that conference … and everything brightened immediately. Shining; always shining. Her Tiny Essentials are some of the most-worn books in my office because they delivered on that promise. I will miss her, too. There’s a hole.
So many years connecting with Marie. Our time together in London and at AFP Global. And the little books, yes indeed.
Thank you, Roger, for this beautiful farewell.
So deeply saddened by this news. I too was with Marie in Baltimore and we were all cheering her on. I took a photo when she was up on stage which I sent to Ken exclaiming, “she did it!” And, of course, she pulled it off beautifully. Thank you Roger for sharing. My heart goes out to Ken. And the whole team at SOFII. Thank you Marie for all your incredible contributions to the sector, the ripple effect of which will be felt for many, many years to come. With love, Kyla
Thanks Roger.
We have lost one of our quiet heroes, in the public sense, not private, with the passing of Marie. I have known Marie and Ken since the mid/late 1980s and the early days of Burnett Associates and Red Lion Press and always found them the most wonderful couple to spend time with and also when with them apart. I recall some wonderful meals together in London and with the Burnett family in Madrid over the years.
Ken’s books have inspired us all over the decades as have the many other books that White Lion Press have published with Marie at the helm, such as the Tiny series. Without Marie in the back office they would have never had the the global distribution an impact that they have achieved.
As I reminisced with Ken this weekend and as Sue Kershaw writes above, when faced with standing in for Ken at AFP International conference in Baltimore she rose to the occassion and we had one of the best IWITOT ever. Besides she looked better that Ken in HER white suit and high heels.
We will miss you Marie.
Love from Daryl, Miryam, Alheli and the DUCI/DUA posse here in Madrid.
Thank you all, each of you, for your most helpful, strengthening comments. Joe, Charlie and me, we so appreciate every word here and the sentiments behind them, as do our friends and family. Really. Though, Daryl, I think you underestimate how good I look in a white suit and high heels. But of course, I never could compete with Marie. Thanks all, Ken x
[…] week the fundraising world lost a very special friend, one that many may not have known we had. Roger Craver’s lovely tribute to Marie Burnett (and please, do make a gift to SOFII). […]
Those of us lucky to know Marie, have lost a true friend. I can’t imagine how hard it is for Ken and Joe & Charlie. Marie lit up a room; she was so smart and so funny. Generous, caring and kind. The list of qualities is long.
One of my favourite lines about Marie and Ken came from my wife Marica. Ken, Marie and the boys stayed with us for 2 weeks about 15 years ago, and after they left, Marica said “Having them here was like having a holiday in our own home” So true. Marie was special. In her presence, you were always on holiday, always enjoying yourself.