Is Your Heart in the Mission?

By Linda B. Haley, CFRE, President & CEO

Philanthropy means “the love of human beings”…so nonprofit work is rooted in love. If your heart doesn’t skip a beat when you think about the nonprofit mission you support, ask yourself one simple question:  “Why not?”
 
Maybe it’s a deep personal issue – maybe something like, “I really love nonprofits that serve kids…but the paycheck at the large arts organization was so great, I just had to take it.” Or maybe you needed a job and took what was available, only to feel later that, although the mission you support is worthwhile, it doesn’t personally excite and inspire you.
 
Is your heart longing for a clearer execution of the mission? More vision? A balanced budget? A passionate board? A CEO with exceptional leadership skills that you could happily follow?
 
If any of this resonates with you, then it may be time for a change. Yes, change is hard. But if your heart is not squarely rooted in the mission of the nonprofit you serve, you may find yourself struggling. Struggling to raise funds. Struggling to inspire donors. Struggling with burnout. Just struggling.
 
So often in our Annual Fund Training Camp, attendees come to us after class after we discuss having your heart in the mission and confess, “I think I may need to get another job.” If that’s true for you today, don’t lose heart. We all make snap judgments…or moves that we regret…or choices that no longer align with our personal values.
 
Just remember:  it’s never too late to do the right thing. Search your heart. Find what moves you. Then begin to look for a place where your heart, your soul, and your passion are excited by the mission. You’ll likely find your success there, too!
 
Need help finding that next step? Or searching for a new development officer who is truly inspired by your work? Contact Let’s Build Hope – we want to hear from you: (314) 716-2496 or LetsBuildHope@lbh-stl.com.
 
#LBH #LetsBuildHope #GlimmersOfHope #MyHeartIsInTheMission #InspiredToday!

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