Why Scott Harrison Was Right...and Wrong

Scott Harrison went no holds barred at the International Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) conference last April. 

His nonprofit charity: water is a relatively new social media and fundraising force raising millions for clean water projects worldwide.  A charismatic former NYC nightclub promoter, Harrison is out to "reinvent charity."  He and his staff don't hang out with other nonprofits because they don't find them inspiring.  After more than two years of searching, he still can't find a Development Director.  He basically told a room of more than 3,000 nonprofit fundraising professionals that we were washed up, out of touch, and on the verge of extinction.

His flippant frustration at the nonprofit sector seemed a bit drastic and unfair, but it also struck a chord with me (as I suppose both AFP and Harrison himself were hoping it would!).

Here's why I think Scott Harrison was right:

• charity: water focuses on building a movement of people who understand that there is a water crisis in the world and who feel empowered to do something about it by banding together. Instead of a Development Director, they hire videographers, "producers" of special events, and "Supporter Experience Managers."  Semantics?  Yes.  But, also an important perspective shift that permeates the organization. Every job at charity: water is focused around pulling people into the movement.  Imagine how the roles at your favorite nonprofit could be re-structured that way and the difference it would make. 

• There are some lessons the nonprofit sector should be learning from the Googles, Twitters, and other companies Harrison prefers to hang out with.  Technology aside, these companies are focused on making individuals feel connected, heard, empowered.  For too long, most nonprofits have seen the world through an organizational lens, thanking donors for helping the organization make a difference.  At charity: water, donors are thanked for making that difference directly. Twitter recognizes it is just a conduit.  So is charity: water.  If we all reframed that way, we might create more movements.

• It is, ultimately, about being passionate.  charity: water is a very hip and cool organization with a start-up mentality.  Harrison's lesson, though, isn't that all nonprofits have to become hip and cool in a NYC nightclub sort of way. It is, however, all about wearing your beliefs on your sleeve (or website, brochure, etc.).  It goes back to getting nonprofits to think beyond mission statements to their own "Lush Lists" of what they value, believe, and stand for.  Shared passions and values make a movement.  

Here's why I think Scott Harrison was wrong:

• Every thoughtful, professional, and experienced fundraiser I talked to after that session already thinks this way.  Yes, this means that at times they have to reshape the expectations of their role at their organization and yes, this means they often do much more than their job descriptions or titles.  But, good fundraisers get this, welcome it, and actually make it happen at their organizations.  Now we just have to figure out how to make it happen in every nonprofit.

Do you think charity needs "reinventing?"  If so, in what ways?  How can we, as a fundraising profession, hold onto what works while still innovating?