**10 Things Social Purpose Organizations Need to Know About Community-Centric Fundraising**

The Good Growth Company hosted a session with Rickesh Lakhani, an experienced nonprofit consultant and global council member of the community-centric fundraising (CCF) movement. Rickesh’s experience in the social impact sector brought a wealth of knowledge and actionable strategies for social purpose organizations aiming to transition toward a community-centric fundraising model.
We've recapped Rickesh’s top 10 takeaways, each designed to inspire and challenge our approach to fundraising by fostering equity, community, and accountability.

1. Community-Centric Fundraising is Grounded in Equity and Social Justice

Community-centric fundraising (CCF) emphasizes a holistic approach that prioritizes the collective good over individual organizations. This model arose from fundraisers seeking an equitable alternative to traditional methods often rooted in power dynamics that perpetuate harm. CCF seeks to foster a sense of belonging, holistic change, and mutual support among nonprofits.

2. Acknowledge the Harmful Aspects of Traditional Fundraising

Many fundraisers acknowledge feeling uncomfortable with traditional fundraising practices, which can perpetuate poverty tourism, white saviorism, and exploitative narratives. Rickesh encouraged fundraisers to recognize these harms and be open to changing their practices to avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes and power dynamics.

3. Commitment from Leadership and Management is Essential

The commitment to community-centric fundraising must permeate all levels of an organization. Without buy-in from leadership and board members, efforts may stall. Leaders must be ready to engage in self-reflection, address harmful practices, and provide the necessary support for these changes to take root.

4. Change Requires a Long-Term Investment

CCF is not a quick fix; it’s a long-term journey that requires continuous effort and a commitment to evolving organizational culture. Budget allocation is also crucial, as it reflects the organization’s priorities. Organizations serious about CCF will invest resources to support ongoing learning, training, and community-building activities.

5. Donors Should be Partners, Not the Center of the Organization

CCF encourages treating donors as partners rather than heroes. Rather than centering campaigns around donors, organizations should highlight the community impact. This approach fosters a shared sense of responsibility for the collective work rather than elevating individual contributions.

6. Promote Collaboration Over Competition

A scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector fuels competition between organizations, hindering potential collaborations. By focusing on collective impact, organizations can share resources, knowledge, and opportunities, enabling them to serve communities more effectively.

7. Value All Contributions Equally

Time and non-monetary support are as valuable as financial donations. Rickesh highlighted the importance of honoring volunteers, community connectors, and individuals who provide input, as these contributions are integral to the success of community-centered missions.

8. Cultivate an Inclusive and Safe Organizational Culture

CCF flourishes in a culture that values psychological safety, especially for marginalized groups. Organizations must create spaces where people feel safe to voice concerns and see that their feedback leads to action. This requires a culture that welcomes truth and values transparency over self-preservation.

9. Acknowledge Donors’ True Impact

CCF discourages narratives that overstate the impact of individual donations. Instead, organizations should communicate the reality of social change efforts, encouraging donors to become part of a larger movement rather than portraying them as the sole solution to systemic issues.

10. Embrace Transparency and Honesty

Honesty with both donors and the organization itself is key to CCF. Rickesh urged organizations to be transparent about their operations, funding needs, and limitations, and to acknowledge the true cost of their work. By being open, organizations can foster trust and deepen relationships with their communities.

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Your Questions, Answered

Q: How can organizations decline a large donation that conflicts with their mission?
A: Build strong relationships throughout the year so that donors think of you during the giving season. Consider unique approaches on A: Declining a significant donation due to misalignment can be challenging. Rickesh recommended having a gift acceptance policy that outlines when and why a donation might be declined. If a donor's actions or affiliations directly contradict the organization’s mission, declining the gift may be necessary to uphold the organization’s values.

Q: How can non-fundraising executives and board members be encouraged to embrace CCF principles?
A: One approach is to present data and stories reflecting the impact of current fundraising practices on the organization and its staff. Engaging a group of supporters within the organization can demonstrate the internal demand for change, helping leaders see the benefits and need for a community-centric approach.

Q: What about naming rights for buildings and programs?
A: Naming rights can sometimes conflict with CCF principles if they disproportionately honour large donors over community impact. Rickesh advised organizations to consider the expectations tied to these naming rights and assess whether they align with the values of equity and community that CCF promotes.

What Now?

This session highlighted the importance of shifting our focus from transactional fundraising to an approach rooted in community, equity, and accountability. For organizations looking to implement community-centric fundraising, Rickesh recommended starting small, finding allies, and committing to continuous learning and adaptation.

Aligned Actions for Community-Centric Fundraising
The work to integrate race, equity, and social justice into fundraising is ongoing and will require lots of discussions and experimentation. However, the CCF team movement has some examples of things you can start implementing at your organization. Use this list to plan when and how you’ll start applying these strategies. Decide whether you have the freedom and resources to enact each strategy now, or if you need to set medium to long-term timelines. Either way, make a plan and try stuff out. Also, capture any lessons you learn that may be helpful to the field. We know this is a long list, but it’s also still a work in progress. We’ll update this list as we go along. This is meant to be a starting place for you and your organization on a journey toward being more community-centric. Download the Aligned Actions List here.

For more resources on community-centric fundraising, visit communitycentricfundraising.org and start exploring ways to make meaningful change in your organization’s fundraising practices.

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