Anna Schlia ☀️’s Post

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Philanthropy Researcher & Speaker

From the back of the library, what I'm reading as a philanthropy PhD student: 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘁 isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a c͇r͇i͇t͇i͇c͇a͇l͇ trait for higher education fundraisers. We’re talking about the passion and perseverance that fuel successful major gift solicitations. Let’s dive in🏊. McCann’s (🎓) study reveals how grit manifests in development officers’ experiences. She found that… - Passion and Pathways: Development officers often come from varied backgrounds, bringing diverse skills from sales, education, and relationship-building roles. They share a deep commitment to their institution’s mission. - Motivation and Personal Values: Intrinsic motivation drives these professionals. They find personal satisfaction in their work, seeing the tangible impacts of their efforts on students and institutions. - Resilience and Adaptability: These fundraisers demonstrate remarkable resilience when facing frequent rejections. They continuously refine their approaches, learning from setbacks, and maintaining a positive outlook. - Self-Talk Matters: Positive self-talk is a critical strategy. While some struggle with negative self-talk, many learn to overcome it through reflection and support from colleagues. - Long-Term Impact: Metrics provide short-term motivation, but enduring satisfaction comes from the long-term impact on the educational opportunities created for students and institutional growth. How do you maintain your grit in the face of challenges? I would love to hear from long-time fundraisers (25 yrs +). McCann, J. A. (2018). Exploring Grit in the Experiences of Higher Education Development Officers: A Phenomenological Study. University of Texas at Tyler. #Backofthelibrary #Research #Philanthropy #Fundraising #Grit --- No, seriously, I'm actually sitting in the back of the library right now. I'm Anna Schlia, a PhD student studying HigherEd Philanthropy. I'm a fundraiser, consultant, and philanthropy zealot, on a mission to promote research-based insights across our sector. Follow me for more philanthropy nuggets and message me if you want to chat about how research can support your fundraising efforts. #TheorytoAction.

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