The Joy of Winning and the Addiction of Fundraising

At NGM Consulting, we often say that fundraising is part art, part science—and entirely emotional. Since December 2024, we’ve been working closely with a remarkable non-profit whose mission and leadership we deeply believe in. Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly building a fundraising strategy with them: sharpening their case for support, strengthening their donor engagement, and preparing them for the long game.

Last week, that work bore fruit in the most joyful of ways.

The founder of the non-profit called us, breathless with excitement. A donor had just confirmed a gift. But it wasn’t just a gift—it was a multi-year commitment. For any organisation, especially in this economic climate, a multi-year donation is more than just a win. It is stability, validation, and hope.

And yet, in the founder’s moment of joy, she said something we hear all too often in this line of work: “I’m going to tell the board this gift just landed from nowhere.”

We gently stopped her. “No,” we said, “this gift did not fall from the sky. You’ve been showing up. You’ve done the calls, followed up on leads, honed your pitch, and kept the faith. This is the result of strategy, effort, and time.”

Because that’s the truth of fundraising. It may feel like magic when the call or email comes through, but behind that moment is usually months—sometimes years—of groundwork. Fundraising is a discipline. It takes planning, resilience, and relationship-building. You can’t wish your way to a major gift; you work your way there.

And yet, when it happens—when the strategy clicks and the commitment comes through—it’s addictive. The rush is real. Not for the money itself, but for what it enables: the chance to do more, help more, and grow impact. That’s the joy of winning. But the addiction? That comes from seeing how your vision, when matched with the right support, can transform lives.

We’re thrilled for this non-profit and proud of the part NGM has played. This is a victory, but not a surprise. It’s a milestone on a journey that began long before December, and it’s proof that a clear strategy—executed with grit—will always outpace luck.

So, to fundraisers everywhere: when the gift lands, celebrate it fully—but never forget the path that brought you there. Because nothing truly worthwhile ever comes out of nowhere.