It’s that time of year.
For all those nonprofits with a June 30 fiscal year end, we wish you a happy fiscal New Year’s Eve.
Early in my fundraising career, my boss hosted a party on June 30 to celebrate our fundraising success and ring in a new budget year. It was my first experience closing a fiscal year as a development professional and I’ll never forget it.
The days leading up to June 30 were a frenzy. Calling donors who had not yet renewed their gifts; sending invoices to donors who had not yet paid pledges; nagging the mail room clerk to see if any new envelopes had arrived; asking in-kind gift donors to value their donations; and watching expenses like a hawk to ensure the year not only balanced, but had a surplus.
We worked feverishly but we did it with a joyful spirit because our leader knew what it meant to support her team rather than drive us into exhaustion for the sake of meeting goals.
We had cake, drinks, streamers, and even the quintessential noisemakers that are usually reserved for December 31. It was fun, lighthearted, and just the pause we needed before ramping up again for another annual fund campaign.
Today, development professionals have an average tenure of 16 to 18 months on the job. That’s not even two full budget cycles. It’s a devastating statistic in a field that should be more about relationships than transactions.
So, I encourage your creativity. What are you doing to celebrate the end of a fiscal year and the start of a new one?
The clock and calendar are winding down, but don’t let the moment pass without recognizing the hard work and achievements of your dedicated team.
Article by: Kerri Laubenthal Mollard, Founder & CEO
