Podcast Summary: Episode 246 – Restorative Philanthropy In Fundraising with Tanya Rumble

Introduction

In Episode 246 of What the Fundraising, host Mallory Erickson engages in a profound conversation with Tanya Rumble, a seasoned professional fundraiser and co-founder of Recast Philanthropy. The discussion centers around the concept of restorative philanthropy, redefining donor relationships, and aligning organizational values with fundraising strategies to foster meaningful and sustainable philanthropic engagements.

1. Tanya Rumble’s Background and Professional Journey

Tanya Rumble begins by sharing her diverse background, highlighting her experience as a third culture individual raised in the United Arab Emirates and currently residing in Toronto, Canada. With over 15 years in professional fundraising, Tanya transitioned from a career in public health to apply her expertise in an entrepreneurial fundraising context, specifically within health charities. She currently serves in higher education advancement and co-leads a consultancy focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in fundraising dynamics.

“I started my career in public health. I determined it was too slow for me, and so I wanted to take my understanding of health and burden of disease and apply a more entrepreneurial skill set to that work, which is what landed me in fundraising for health charities.” [02:24]

2. The Concept of Restorative Philanthropy

Tanya introduces the idea of “restorative philanthropy,” which emphasizes building authentic and value-driven relationships between fundraisers and donors. This approach shifts the focus from merely securing funds to fostering mutual understanding and shared objectives. Tanya underscores that philanthropy should not only be about raising money but about what that money can achieve in support of worthy missions.

“Fundraising is not supposed to be about the practice of simply raising money. It's about what that money can do.” [06:09]

3. Redefining Relationships in Fundraising

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around redefining what constitutes a relationship in the fundraising context. Traditional approaches often place the fundraiser in a position of needing to earn the donor’s favor, leading to imbalanced and stressful interactions. Tanya advocates for a model where relationships are based on mutual values and objectives, thereby empowering fundraisers and aligning donor interests with organizational missions.

“A relationship should be based on shared values and objectives. And until you've established those things, it's simply just about getting to know someone and they are an acquaintance.” [07:52]

4. Alignment of Values and Its Impact

Tanya emphasizes the critical role of values alignment in successful fundraising. Organizations that clearly define and express their values are more likely to attract donors who genuinely resonate with their mission. This alignment reduces the need for fundraisers to invest excessive energy into unaligned or incompatible donor relationships, fostering more effective and sustainable philanthropic partnerships.

“Organizations and fundraising teams that have figured out what their values are, are comfortable expressing them, and are comfortable building relationships with donors that are rooted in those values are having the most amount of success.” [08:41]

5. Empowerment and Reducing Fundraising Stress

The traditional fundraising model often contributes to burnout among fundraisers due to factors like rejection, uncertainty, and isolation. Tanya’s approach to restorative philanthropy offers a solution by promoting authentic interactions and reducing the emotional toll associated with seeking donor approval. This shift not only benefits fundraisers by alleviating stress but also leads to more meaningful and effective donor engagements.

“When you bring wise relational practices into that exchange, it really is important. And so that starts from a place of truth and authenticity.” [20:00]

6. Practical Applications and Strategies

Tanya shares practical strategies for implementing restorative philanthropy, such as thorough prospect research focused on values alignment, honest communication about organizational missions, and the use of empirical data to support discussions with donors. She also discusses the importance of redefining terminology within fundraising conversations to reflect a more balanced ecosystem where all contributors, including staff and beneficiaries, are acknowledged.

“By using the terminology of ecosystem, it acknowledges all the constituent parts that make up that ecosystem.” [15:30]

7. Overcoming Traditional Fundraising Challenges

Addressing common challenges in fundraising, Tanya points out how restorative philanthropy can mitigate issues like donor misalignment and institutional stress. By focusing on shared values and mutual benefit, fundraisers can avoid the pitfalls of donor-centric approaches that often lead to unproductive and taxing relationships.

“It's not because they can raise money. It's because what they can do with that money.” [06:09]

Conclusion and Resources

The conversation concludes with Tanya encouraging listeners to connect with her through Recast Philanthropy and LinkedIn for further insights and collaboration. Her advocacy for restorative philanthropy offers a transformative approach to fundraising, promoting authenticity, shared values, and sustainability in philanthropic endeavors.

“I hope people will connect with me. I generate a lot of research and thought leadership on these topics available at RecastPhilanthropy.ca.” [26:40]

Key Takeaways:

• Restorative Philanthropy: Focuses on authentic, value-driven relationships between fundraisers and donors.
• Values Alignment: Essential for sustainable and effective fundraising partnerships.
• Redefining Relationships: Shifting from donor-centric to mutually beneficial engagements reduces stress and burnout.
• Holistic Engagement: Acknowledges all contributors within the organizational ecosystem, not just financial donors.
• Practical Strategies: Emphasizes thorough research, honest communication, and data-driven discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• “Fundraising is not supposed to be about the practice of simply raising money. It's about what that money can do.” — Tanya Rumble [06:09]
• “A relationship should be based on shared values and objectives.” — Tanya Rumble [07:52]
• “Organizations that clearly define and express their values attract donors who genuinely resonate with their mission.” — Tanya Rumble [08:41]
• “By using the terminology of ecosystem, it acknowledges all the constituent parts that make up that ecosystem.” — Tanya Rumble [15:30]

Further Resources:

• Recast Philanthropy: RecastPhilanthropy.ca
• LinkedIn: Tanya Rumble and Recast Philanthropy

Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the nonprofit sector, Tanya Rumble’s insights on restorative philanthropy provide a refreshing perspective on building meaningful, sustainable, and authentic donor relationships. Embracing these principles can lead to more fulfilling fundraising experiences and greater impact for your organization.