In the world of non-profit fundraising, it has become harder and harder to raise general operating support because there has been an erosion of trust in all our institutions. Even though GOS is essential to any organization, it's become increasingly difficult to fund anything but specific programs, more specifically, measurable programs.
When I think of my inclination to give funding only to a specific candidate's campaign rather than to an organization, I'm seeing that candidate as a measurable program within an organization that does not have my full trust, putting it lightly.
If I understand the article, such candidates are in turn directly contributing funds they have raised to the very candidates who've inspired my mistrust. Do I get it? That sucks. I think that probably the only thing to do about it is to reform the party so that it's no longer a betrayal of progressive values for money to flow from one part of the organization to another.
As a fundraiser concerned with the health of a whole organization, not just some of its programs, I approach the issue of the type of mistrust that inclines funders to contribute only to specific programs in two ways. One, I make sure there are program budget items that are beneficial to the organization as a whole, even though they are direct program expenses...creating dual benefit whenever possible. Two, I work toward an environment where the organization is free to pursue its mission without compromise, I encourage transparency, I build community trust, and make general operating support fundraising attractive to community stake-holders whose trust we've earned.
Make the Democratic Party trustworthy is what we do about this...which is what I see you and others here working hard on every day.
This is a political revolution. It starts in our own party.
In the meantime, I'm maintaining my monthly contribution to the Sanders Campaign and I feel very good about it.
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