A professional fundraiser who does the job right, motivates and organizes
the volunteers and keeps them pepped up so THEY get the job done.  Raising
money is not just about the dollars received, it is thought, but about
building longer range and reliable relationships that can be counted on to
help in the future.   I've known "fundraisers" who -- in reaching the goal
-- end up making everyone angry in the process.  The next time there's an
effort to raise money, the goodwill just isn't there.  So, I guess it
follows, a negotiated fee is paid to organize, motivate, and follow up when
the staff doesn't have time or the ability.  If the institution's core
volunteers aren't well enough respected to get people to respond to their
work, then the institution has a more serious problem.

It's usually very difficult for an imported fundraiser (or PR man or anyone
else) to drop into a constituency and work as if there is a science
involved, within a deadline, without working through people who are
trusted.
Ross Weeks

----------
> From: Tod Engine <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fundraising ethics: % $$ incentives
> Date: Friday, March 28, 1997 6:49 PM
>
> <<< There have been a number of high-profile cases in which
> contract fund-raisers have swallowed up in fees and lavish expenses
> almost all of the money raised, though I do not think there have been any
> allagations against museums on this point.>>>
>
> I don't understand.  If the fundraiser was working on a percentage how
> could he have used up all the money raised?  I can see this happening if
> he charged a flat fee, if he charged $5,000 in fees and the drive only
> raised $5,000.   Actually I don't see why a percentage is all that bad.
> If the goal is $100,000, and the fundraiser charges 10% or $10,000, with
a
> cap of $10,000 maximum fee to be paid, then if the fundraiser is not
> performing his job correctly he would not recieve full payment.
>
> Charging a flat fee gives the organization little means to entice the
> fundraiser to reach the goal.
>
> Where is the hidden pitfalls with percentages that I am not seeing?
>
> Rick