Getting Out of Our Comfort Zones

I just read an great article from the Nonprofit Times called, Youth Movement Critical for Boards.  It is almost incomprehensible to read that we need an average of 26 million new board members each year just to keep the nonprofit world we love running.  Of which only 2% is staffed with individuals under 30 and 30% are staffed with individuals between 30 - 49.  That means nearly 70% are staffed with Baby Boomers.  In fact, the retirement of so many Baby Boomers could affect the future growth of the nonprofit sector.

OK, so what does that all mean for me.  As a young, grass roots or small nonprofit you may not even have a board yet or perhaps you just recruited your first board member or two.  If you are not a nonprofit, but a personal fundraiser raising money on behalf of a cause,  be that a charity or one more personal to you or your family, you too will certainly not have a board --- so why I am writing this post.

I am writing this post as we all must engage each generation not just the ones we are familiar.  I am "classified" as Generation X (born between 1965 - 1979) and must admit that most of my life is spent with people similar in age, with similar social, economic and family patterns.  Birds of a feather --- well they flock together.  So when recruiting your next board member or planning your next campaign (or fundraiser) make sure your outreach includes all generations to volunteer, donate, and serve.  Each generation will have different ideas, different networks, different ways of communicating, etc.  Tapping into those ideas, networks and communication streams will prove invaluable as they will bring your cause to places you could not do alone if you stayed within your comfort zone.

Think about it for just a minute.   When someone hears Facebook, they think of Generation Y (born between 1980 - 2000).  However, did you know the fastest growing segment of Facebook is Women over 55?  That said, are you asking your baby boomer supporters to inform Generation Y about you --- since they are both on Facebook?  Also, did you know that Generation Y is the first generation to be more aware of world challenges  --- thanks to the Internet?  In fact, 81% of 1800 youth (ages 13 - 25) individuals surveyed said they volunteered last year.  Again, how are you tapping into this desire to make the world a better place?

As always, if you have any product suggestions or simply want to share a great story about online fundraising please do not hesitate to email me at kirk.sadler@blackbaud.com.

Happy Fundraising!