With all the economic problems  facing our nation, many fundraisers have become reluctant to move forward with their campaigns and efforts.  They couldn’t be more wrong.

Many years ago I wrote of Sam Walton’s rules of success and how they applied to fundraising.  His tenth rule is to “swim upstream;” that is, when everyone else is moving in one direction, opportunity frequently lies in the opposite direction. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I know this is a tough time.  But Sam’s advice echoes louder than the constant harping of the doom and gloomers.  This may be the best fundraising opportunity in the history of our country. 

Most nonprofits won’t take advantage of this time, and many traditional givers see it differently, so this message is for the thoughtful and savvy fundraiser.  Let’s look for opportunity while the others are running away from it.

Read the rest of this entry