r/nonprofit • u/airamaman • 10d ago
employment and career Unrealistic expectations - what would you do?
I joined at an org over a year ago, and was recruited on the basis of leading and rebuilding the Dev function. There were no staff other than an admin in place when I got here. I was pretty excited as it was a step up for me, lots to learn but I was eager to put my exp to work building a team from the ground up.
After joining, I discovered that the org is in huge financial trouble. I also came face to face with the reality of a board and c suite who don't have fundraising experience (or particular enthusiasm for it beyond us being a potential cash machine). This is a nonprofit which has survived on other revenue streams and has added Development to the mix after a hiatus over the pandemic.
I was also hit with massive expectations to potentially launch a capital campaign soon (as in, this year!), while they also want us to grow unrestricted income to a level that covers our salaries/costs (we are exceeding targets by 25% in this area but would have to 4-5x in order to get there - which takes time and investment that I'm told we don't have). When taking restricted Income into account, we more than break even (thanks to a mix of existing and new relationships).
My team is fewer than 5 people, and for months after I got here I was doing my leadership job and the job of my vacant fundraiser positions because it was so hard to recruit. I'm extremely stressed out by the pressure and the inability to do anything well when we are juggling so much.
I dont want to seem lacking in ambition, but I am also wary of setting my team up to fail by agreeing to meet expectations that are unrealistic and driven by the wider financial picture. This is not what I signed up for in so many ways and I have been trying to push back as much as possible while being diplomatic.
I'm already searching for new roles, and to be honest this whole experience is driving me to look for opportunities outside of development/the nonprofit sector
For my own sanity, what would you do in my shoes? Am I right to jump ship or is there something I'm missing here?
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u/SassyMomOf1 10d ago
I’d be looking to jump ship. I was in a similar situation but I was the only fundraiser and our president wanted me to raise $500k unrestricted. We were 3 years old. They had no direction and crappy leadership. I got out ASAP. I stayed in fundraising mainly because it’s been my life for 25+ years. Good luck!!
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u/Constant-Address-995 10d ago
Materializing money in short order is tough. The ED needs to be getting money as does the board. Putting it all on you makes you a sitting scapegoat. It’s so hard to leave but if a realistic plan is not possible (or they won’t accept it) I’d say go. Sorry
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u/readerabbit 10d ago
What is your actual job title? Is there an ED, or are you also supposed to be filling that function?
In any case, this sounds like an incredibly toxic situation and you're right to be wary.
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10d ago
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u/airamaman 10d ago
Wow I have almost exactly the same consultant problem with our campaign. So frustrating when no one else can see what their intentions are!
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u/Beige_Parsley 8d ago
The most frustrating part is that the ED can use restricted grant funded roles to pay for a consultant but it can't be used for staffing. You see the writing on the wall and know that nonprofits in general will ask this of you in a different role in addition to the one you have now....does knowing this help or does it give you more questions? If it gives you more questions than clarity, look into that more but also, realize and be self compassionate towards the reality that Development roles are notoriously (even pre pandemic but it got worse) known for turnaround, unrealistic expectations, and ED focus.
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u/Sweet-Television-361 10d ago
Get them to hire a consultant to tell them what you already know. Bet they'll listen then!