If you’ve read some of my other blog posts, you’ve probably figured out that I love TV and movies, see Baby Yoda and Sesame Street.
As I re-watch the show in anticipation for the final season of the long-running TV show Supernatural, it crossed my mind that many of you have fundraising programs that have been in market for just as long (if not longer) than the show’s 15 seasons. Despite the fictional content of the show, I was amazed at how lessons learned from supernatural (à la this list from Screen Rant) can be applied to our work in the fundraising arena.
Lessons Learned From Supernatural
1. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Nothing is ever how it seems on the surface. Make sure you are looking at your data, both quantitative and qualitative, to understand what is really going on.
2. You are stronger when you are part of a team
You can do many things on your own but you can be so much more when you capitalize on your strengths and enlist the help of others to offset your weaknesses.
3. Teamwork makes the dream work
Even if you are a department of one, you aren’t truly alone. Whether they are your colleagues, volunteers, vendors or partners, you all share a passion for your mission and have complementary skills to bring to the table.
4. You don’t have to get to your destination in a single day
It’s always smart to have a roadmap outlining where you are and where you are trying to go. But one of the greatest lessons learned from supernatural is that there are multiple paths to get to your destination. If you find one way blocked, check the map and forge a new path.
5. There are no superheroes to make things okay
You are the superhero of your life — and while it may be hard, and it may sometimes hurt, you can do this!
6. Keep the correct tools in your toolbox
Different programs require different tools. You can hammer a nail into a board with a screwdriver, but it would be a lot easier if you had a hammer.
7. Learn from your mistakes and failures.
Not everything works the first time out, so dust yourself off, stand up, and figure out what went wrong. Some of the greatest fundraising programs started out making $0 in their first (and even second years), but if they had given up at that point, they would have missed out on millions of dollars!
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
This is an incredible community with big brains! Have a problem you can’t solve? Ask around. Chances are someone has come up against it before and can provide some great advice or even actively help.
9. There is always time to plan
Take a deep breath and evaluate the situation before diving in. It always works out better when you do.
10. Expect the unexpected
You probably know from experience that no matter how well you have things in place, glitches and last-minute changes crop up, so you have to be ready to just roll with it.
About the Author
Sue Dalos
Principal Consultant