Concept, words and sketches by Lori Muñoz · Illustrated by Ivano Nardacchione · An original series by BrokersOfGood.
From the creator
Donors fund what they can see. What they can feel. What makes them smile. But what gets left out of the frame?
When donors want their dollars tied to a specific project, nonprofits can be left scrambling to make the rest of the tank work — with less.
This is the real cost of centering donor preferences over nonprofit needs. The work that is easiest to see, photograph and explain can attract attention, while the less visible work that keeps the organization going remains underfunded.
If you’re a donor, ask yourself:
What made me choose this project to support?
Am I funding what feels good — or what’s most needed?
Would I still give if there weren’t a cute story or a happy photo?
Who’s just outside the frame of this impact story?
If you’re a nonprofit, ask yourself:
What do we lose when we simplify our story to fit what donors want to hear?
Are we reinforcing donor bias by only showing them what they already believe in?
What would it take to be honest with our funders about the cracks in the tank?
How can we help funders see — and fund — the whole tank, not just the glittery fish?
The real work isn’t always photogenic. And meaningful impact doesn’t always fit in a neat little story.
From the creator
Donors fund what they can see. What they can feel. What makes them smile. But what gets left out of the frame?
When donors want their dollars tied to a specific project, nonprofits can be left scrambling to make the rest of the tank work — with less.
This is the real cost of centering donor preferences over nonprofit needs. The work that is easiest to see, photograph and explain can attract attention, while the less visible work that keeps the organization going remains underfunded.
If you’re a donor, ask yourself:
If you’re a nonprofit, ask yourself:
The real work isn’t always photogenic. And meaningful impact doesn’t always fit in a neat little story.