In defence of raising money

Sasha Dichter’s inspirational piece In Defense of Raising Money: a Manifesto for NonProfit CEOs says we should stop apologising for raising money to continue our work;

Convincing the most powerful, resource‐rich people you know that allocating some of their capital to the issues you’re addressing matters.

You’re devoting your life, your spirit, your energy, your faith into making the vision you have of a better future into a reality.

So why are you so scared to ask people for money? Why do you feel afraid to say: “This problem is so important and so urgent that it is worth your time and your money to fix it. I’m devoting my whole life to fixing this problem. I’m asking you to devote some of your resources to my life’s work too.”

And goes onto describe the abnormal relationship people have with money and how it drives their fear to ask for it; (People think that asking for money is all about asking for money. People think that storytelling is a gift, not a skill. Money = Power. They are afraid they will be told ‘no’).


Sasha instead argues that fundraising is really generating capacity for us to enact change and that we should be pleased to be talking to powerful, influencial people about the difference we hope to make in the world.


If you’ve ever been too scared to ask for money, or felt in someway that asking for money ‘pollutes’ the authenticity of your cause, then you must read this.