Ops Insights #042 Reasons I Write for You
May 8, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop
👋 Hi, I’m Jenny.
Your personal guide, coach, and mentor for nonprofit data, CRM databases, and operations → Philanthropy Operations, also known as advancement Services, Development Operations, or Philanthropy Services, is the foundational structure that supports all fundraising efforts.
→ Without data, how would you fundraise?
→ Without a CRM database, how would you fundraise?
→ Without operational processes, how would you fundraise?
Perhaps years ago, we could operate without rock-solid data, no CRM database, or zero operational processes, but not today. Today, it’s the backbone of all our fundraising efforts, especially as technology and innovation have rapidly advanced.
For me, I am extremely passionate about philanthropy operations and helping you.
I write for you.
As I write, I speak to two main audiences:
1) The “frontline” fundraising leader. The one who grew up on the frontline fundraising side of philanthropy offices.
Why?
One, I’m married to a frontline fundraising leader and have learned a lot from him over the years.
Two, I went to work for my second nonprofit to learn how to report directly to the leader of fundraising. This allowed me to understand how to talk to a leader, service a leader’s needs, and be the go-to person who could explain the tech side in non-technical terms, so the leader didn’t have to get into the weeds (nor did that leader want to get into the weeds). After that nonprofit, I went into consulting to help many more nonprofits, and now I’m doing fractional support to embed into teams.
Having interacted with countless leaders over the years, I aim to create a greater understanding and knowledge of the data/ops side. As a leader it’s good to understand your whole operations and you have taken the path to leadership on the fundraising side, not the data/ops side. I’d like to help get you comfortable enough to become a more well-informed and full-circle leader.
2) The data/ops team member who is often introverted by nature.
Why?
This was me when I started at the first nonprofit I joined. I preferred to stay behind the computer handling the data needs rather than interact with other fundraising staff. I remember adhering to the 2-week policy turnaround, meaning someone would submit a request on a very long form, and it was a minimum two-week turnaround. If I had a question about the data request, I would email them a long-detailed email rather than talk to them.
It made me uncomfortable, even nervous, to talk to people.
Fast-forward to today, and I’m much different, as I learned a lot along the way. From that first nonprofit to the second nonprofit, consulting, and now fractional work, I learned a great deal. I barely recognize Jenny from all those years ago, but I keep her in my memory to remind myself how far I’ve come.
Today, I share lessons learned along the way and tips for operating in today’s fundraising landscape so I can help you break free from that isolating space as when you do, amazing things start to happen.
Take Action
➡ If you’d like to learn more about me, Tim Wilson did a good job interviewing me: People in Fundraising podcast
➡ Watch this Welcome to Insights video as it will remind you what these Insights are all about.
➡ Connect with me on LinkedIn as that is where you will get more guidance and mentoring, plus gain more insights into me as a person. Plus, you’ll get to see how I like to have some fun along the way and I hope some of it rubs off on you.
You’ve got this and I’ve got you!
👋 See you next time.
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