The resilience of youth means the future of fundraising is bright, say Celina Ribeiro and Stephen Cotterill.
Twenty-five of the best and the brightest fundraisers in the country gathered in London last month for the photoshoot for the cover feature of the April edition of Fundraising Magazine, and you know what the hardest part of the day was?
Certainly not the logistics of getting that many people from all over the country to one place in central London. No. Nor getting the lighting perfect on a dull March morning. Not that either. Not even trying to sort out refreshments without a kitchen. No. It was getting them to stop talking to each other long enough for us to take their pictures.
Man, fundraisers like to chat. We have done photoshoots for all manner of subjects – from charity chief executives to trustees to philanthropists, social investors and finance directors. In other lives, prior to editing Fundraising Magazine, we have presided over shoots involving bankers, musicians, celebrities, captains of industry, elite athletes, politicians and thespians. Yet never before have we come across such a positive, lively and engaged group of people.
People such as Foredul Islam, who fundraises in three different languages; Sara Hankiewicz, who is setting up an employment training programme for the homeless; and Craig Beadle, who uses his comedic talents to raise funds for charities. All before they hit 30.
Now, a recent survey conducted by our learned colleagues at Charity Finance magazine, highlighted a tendency among fundraisers to exhibit certain personality traits, namely: gregariousness, optimism and passion. That may be true, but to sustain those characteristics through the everyday setbacks, annoyances and trivialities of modern living is hard enough ... in the current environment around the charity sector? Well, that takes some resilience.
Despite all the recent challenges; despite all the negative media; despite the fluctuations in public sentiment and scrutiny by those in public office, they remain positive, energetic and with an enthusiasm which is seldom seen in other professions. Why? Because fundamentally, fundraisers love what they do. They believe in what they do. And this is the sector’s saving grace.
@stevejcotterill @celina_ribeiro_
