Introducing: the verities

by Jerold Panas

An introduction to Jerold Panas’ fundraising verities.

Each important, many a virtual strike of lightning. 

Verity 10: boldness has genius, power and magic to it

by Jerold Panas

It’s the courage to dare, to step out that’s wins the contest and gets the gift. The great fundraisers are infused with boldness and courage: an awesome audacity.

Verity 11: you have an unwavering commitment to the institution and a near-militant belief in its mission.

by Jerold Panas

Goethe wrote: ‘Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to drop back. The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.’

Verity 12: if you can conceive it, you can achieve it.

by Jerold Panas

The surest way to guarantee success is to determine you will succeed. You decide. You envision it. You dream of it. You command it to happen. That’s how you win. That’s the road to success.

Verity 13: you inspire others to action.

by Jerold Panas

A fundraising programme or project must be pursued with inspiration by the fundraiser.

Verity 14: you have a quality of leadership

by Jerold Panas

Something quite distinctive is in evidence in everyone who is successful in fundraising. There is a special quality of leadership.

Verity 15: you understand that every grand opportunity is simply masquerading as a problem, a mystery waiting to be solved.

by Jerold Panas

If you don’t understand the problem, then explain it to someone and listen to yourself discussing it.

Verity 16: all of the great fundraisers have certain success factors in common.

by Jerold Panas

It is the thread woven through their entire fabric.

Verity eight: you delight in the premise that fundraising provides fulfilment to deeds not words.

by Jerold Panas

Raising funds forces us to believe in the promise of the future. But it pays great tribute for what we achieve today.

Verity five: this one is obvious: you ask for the order

by Jerold Panas

It’s amazing what you don’t get when you don’t ask.

Verity four: you are high-touch, low-tech

by Jerold Panas

If we lose the personal touch fundraising becomes just a business, not a ministry.

Verity nine: you have presence

by Jerold Panas

‘Presence’, says Jerry Panas, ‘is one of those words that everyone talks about and no one defines. It somehow eludes description. Yet, it’s one of the most important elements in our work. It’s not appearance, dress, or funny stories: it’s energy. It shows and it glows.’

Verity one: you have great joy in what you are doing

by Jerold Panas

Success is due less to years of experience than to ardour for the work.

Verity seven: you have decisive resolve.

by Jerold Panas

Nothing significant has ever been accomplished unless some man or woman dreamed it should be done.

Verity six: great fundraisers are winners

by Jerold Panas

They have a lust and a zest for winning. Their attitude is that if you want to be in second place nobody is going to fight you for it!

Verity three: you are a communicator

by Jerold Panas

Your first task is to be the trumpet that sounds a clear and dramatic sound.

Verity two: success is always coupled with perseverance

by Jerold Panas

The highest level of success depends on the courage to pursue the chase with diligence.