Earlier this year, a wonderful thing happened. Many new subscribers found the Follies, thanks to the kindness of
in recommending us to readers of her newsletter. I reached out to Susan to express appreciation, and the hope that we might connect over our (seemingly) similar fundraising philosophies. Lucky for me, we did. And each conversation with Susan uncovers new things I admire about her and her work.Read on and you’ll see why I always learn something from Susan Schaefer.
What is your philanthropy role and how long have you done this work?
When I started consulting 23 years ago, I defined it broadly as Resource Partners, thinking that I might expand beyond grants – but never did. I love this work and there’s so much more work to be done.
My very first week in college, I signed up to help with my school’s annual fund. If you’ve ever been called by a student from your alma mater, well, dialing for dollars was the beginning of my fundraising career! Since then, I have worked deeply on most aspects of fund development, but that was my only role without a primary focus on grants.
I help nonprofits fund their priorities through major grants.
In my consulting, I work alongside a development staff member or team and, together we build strategies to reach larger foundations and gain more corporate support. I love working with nonprofits that have had some success with grants, and feel like they can do more.
Basically, I am a nonprofit nerd! When I started writing
in 2021, I realized this was yet another way to have a conversation about fundraising. I especially love it when people reach out to me personally because of something I write.Tell us about something funny, crazy or unexpected that happened in your world of Doing Good.
So many funny and crazy things, but one unexpected experience is top of mind.
I’ve spent my career watching consistent commentary about foundations: the call for grantmakers to change their behavior.
For the most part, it hasn’t happened. Not much has changed over all these years.
I’d thought that, during two decades, we’d see fundamental shifts in how foundations make grants. Most funding would be unrestricted. Grant processes would move more quickly. We’d be using common applications. Sadly, that’s still not the case.
Honestly, I thought I’d be out of work by now.
If you could change one thing in the process of fundraising, what would it be?
A streamlined fundraising application process would allow more time for nonprofits to dream, and sketch out a runway to achieve their dreams.
When the leadership team gets behind a vision for the future, magic happens.
I’ve seen the impact that comes from being able to dream big, while grounded in the day-to-day work.
Think of your favorite funder. What makes them great?
The best funders I’ve worked with encourage their grantees to imagine their futures, not just one grant period down the line, but years down the line.
My favorite funders are eager to learn about big picture plans and take the journey with their grantees.
I like to call funders investors. When you think about it that way, as a shareholder you’re not telling the company what to do, you’re investing in them: their leadership, their plans, and their roadmap to get there.
What is your favorite “a-ha!” fact about the nonprofit sector? What’s something many people don’t know?
When I’m talking to professionals who advise wealthy families and family foundations that are poised to make mega gifts and grants, they tell me it can be hard to find a nonprofit that can accept and use funding at that level. It’s ironic. There are so many nonprofits – and most are small in terms of staffing and budget. They do such important work, yet few are encouraged to have the kind of bold vision to scale their success with a transformational gift.
Chris Anderson’s new book, Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading, talks about this. We can think of many companies that serve a million clients or customers but, on the nonprofit side, that’s unusual. Yet with all the wealth that exists, there is certainly an opportunity for more significant investments (i.e., gifts and grants) to dramatically amplify charitable impact.
What are you reading, for work or fun?
I am fascinated by The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing, by Adam Moss. I didn’t think it had to do with our sector, but this conversation is making me realize that maybe it does!
Moss studies all sorts of “artists” – chefs, makers, writers, poets – and watches their process of creation for a single piece. How does it take shape, from the earliest to the final draft?
Shaping a grants strategy over years is art. We take a seed of something and mold it into a final product that is useful – and appeals – to others. Moss’s observations about this universal experience of creativity are so instructive to this work in major grants.
I hope you’ll comment and share Susan’s wisdom! Email her, connect with her on LinkedIn, and read more at Major Grants.
Melanie, thank you for sharing my story with your readers. The wisdom of your own professional experience shone through during our interview. Let's face it, funder follies is a topic that creates a bond among so many in our field!
Thanks again for building this community, and for your generosity. It's been a pleasure to get to know you.