This was one of my favourite conversations I have every had. I did not know @Cherian Koshy before we met and it is so much more fun when you find out all about people when you interview them!
AND I have been waiting all year to properly talk to someone about Thinking Fast and Slow and here was my opportunity.
If you do ONE thing today - Have a listen while you are working!
People are inspiring 🤝
Sherian Koshy, a fundraising professional with 25 years of experience, discusses his journey in fundraising and her work with Merit America. He also talks about the field of mind genomics and its application in understanding donor preferences. Sherian emphasizes the importance of accessibility to technology for small and mid-sized nonprofits and expresses concern about the widening rich-poor gap in philanthropy. Sherian also said he would advise his younger self to ask for help and encourages fundraisers to have intellectual and professional humility.
Key Takeaways:
Fundraisers can come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and starting in grassroots fundraising can be a valuable foundation.
Technology, such as AI and automation, can be a helpful tool for small and mid-sized nonprofits to compete and thrive.
Fundraisers should be mindful of biases and behavioral science in order to effectively engage donors and volunteers.
The philanthropic sector should strive for inclusivity and inspire generosity among all individuals, regardless of their financial means.
Asking for help and having intellectual and professional humility are important qualities for fundraisers to cultivate.
Sound Bites:
"Some of the best fundraisers I've ever met have started in grassroots and on the ground stuff."
"We ought to be creating seeding orchards of generosity that will bear fruit, perhaps not even in our lifetime."
"We are all in a way sort of programmed from our earliest beliefs and what context puts around us."