Fundraisers who aren't donors

Jeff at Donor Power Blog pointed me in the direction of Katya's Nonprofit Marketing Blog who posted something: "Be your donor" day.

The idea: Find out first-hand what it's like to be a donor to your organization. You might be surprised. What you believe is happening could be a long way from what's actually happening.

I could not agree more that nonprofit fundraisers need to test all aspects of their program from the donor's perspective. On more than one occasion I've discussed that our acknowledgement process was painfully slow.

But what I don't understand is why someone would need to "pretend" to be donor.

If you are a fundraiser and not a donor... what does that mean? What are the possible excuses you give? You can't afford it? You don't think the money is well spent? You think you can get away being a "free rider"?

I don't mean to sound rude, but there is really no excuse. Fundraisers who aren't donors to the organizations they work for can only be explained by the fact that they have failed to convince themselves. However, on the bright side... if you can figure out WHY exactly you aren't a donor - it would probably make you a much better fundraiser.