Funders, I Want to Tell You About My Donkeys

Donkeys are a lot like nonprofits. First of all, they are completely misunderstood. They’re incredibly hardy, intelligent, affectionate, sometimes opinionated, relational animals. Thinking of them as inferior versions of horses is like, well, thinking of nonprofits as inferior versions of commercial enterprises. Frustrating and ridiculous.

Donkeys are really stoic. You won’t know they’re sick until they’re really, really in trouble. Same with nonprofits. And right now, a lot of nonprofits are saying they’re in trouble.

Read about how to take care of a sick donkey and how funders need to approach a sector that’s starving and exhausted, and incredibly loyal to the communities they serve.

I realize that some people will object — mightily — to a metaphor wherein funders are humans and nonprofits are donkeys. I suspect you haven’t spent much time with donkeys, and I highly recommend you do so before you pass judgment.