How to Navigate Power and Privilege Dynamics in Fundraising

Date: February 26, 2021

Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm ET

Session Description

Have you ever been speechless when a donor says something offensive? Have you been in situations where you look and feel like an outsider? Have you compromised yourself to meet a stakeholder’s request? Have you advocated for ‘mission drift’ to secure a donation? Do you have a hard time understanding how you can make an impact and address the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Black Lives Matter movement both personally and in your work as a fundraiser? Have you felt powerless in meetings with senior leadership? We all have, and the struggle is most definitely real. However, our ability to navigate those situations and address the marginalization we experience is not equal. It’s deeply rooted in our power and privilege.

Privilege is a loaded word, especially when it comes to securing and stewarding major gifts from companies and individuals. Donor relationships are rife with power dynamics that almost always put the fundraiser in a position of weakness. Working from this place of weakness will mean that you cannot show up fully; thus you won’t be as effective as you could be. Additionally how do we understand our privilege as settlers and how can we take individual responsibility through learning  existing reconciliation wise practices.

How can we authentically understand and use privilege in relationship building with donors and your own organization? Instead of shying away from it, let’s reflect on and learn how to work with our own areas of privilege and disempowerment to be more authentic and effective.

This workshop was presented at the AFP Congress in November 2021, we have updated and added new content for those who attended part one. This session will allow participants who come with an open mind and heart to build more resilience and power in themselves. You’ll walk away with practical and tactical strategies to harness your power as a badass fundraiser in navigating and building relationships with donors, volunteers, board members, and colleagues.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn what it means to do philanthropic work with an anti-oppression lens, acknowledging and working through questions of power and privilege.
• Understand the concepts of privilege and power dynamics and learn how to spot them in relationships.
• Take action to achieve reconciliation in your work as a fundraising professional.
• Investigate your own biases, privileges, and disempowerment as it relates to your professional life.
• Develop personal strategies to show up more authentically and effectively in your work in philanthropy – with donors, volunteers, board members, and colleagues.

AFP Members: $15 +HST

Non-Members: $35 +HST

If you are a member from outside the Greater Toronto Chapter, please contact Matthew Ford at events@afptoronto.org to access member pricing.