“We all need to be able to speak to why this profession is important and how we all uplift each other.”

On Erin’s first day at Grinnell College, part of her orientation included an explicit explanation that, “You are here because of a lot of alumni who made a lot of gifts.” From day one as a student, she was intentionally educated about the positive impact of philanthropy.

Where do scholarship dollars come from? What resources are needed to raise those dollars? How was the new sports arena funded, or the new computer science building? Everyone on campus needs to be able to tell these stories (student affairs, career advisors, faculty members, deans, student leaders). And it’s on us as advancement professionals to lead that messaging.

On this episode, David and Erin confront the reputation of the advancement industry and our individual roles in shaping the narrative. They consider how our donors and potential prospects learn about higher ed fundraising. Which do they hear more of: impact stories about the diseases cured, degrees made possible, and lives changed by philanthropy? Or do fundraising headline scandals (a-la “Varsity Blues”) capture more of their attention?

Building a culture of philanthropy means telling stories of the impact of donations, over and over again, across all channels, at all levels of the organization, to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and to the rest of the world. Philanthropy is love!