Darius Baxter is the CEO and Co-founder of GOODProjects, an organization that walks alongside families on the path out of poverty. Darius is grateful for the opportunity to make a living dreaming up ways to help others, but he knows the ultimate goal is to put themselves out of business.

In this episode, Darius shares his journey from raising $3,000 and feeling like it was a million, to now raising over a million just a few weeks into a new year. Like many accidental Fundraisers, his path hasn’t been straightforward, Darius talks about the pitfalls he stumbled on while finding early success and the importance of doing things for the right reasons. As you listen, you’ll learn what it means to stick to your mission and the importance of authenticity when seeking major gifts.

Additional Resources:

But striking a balance between sensitivity and authenticity can be hard, so Network for Good has come up with some tips to help guide your approach to finding storytellers for sensitive subjects. And when it comes to fostering DEIB (diversity, equity, engagement, and belonging) at your organization, we have some strategies to help you build the best workplace you can.

Key Takeaways:

- Lean into what you know

- Stay firm in your convictions

- Find people that are better than you

- Use language that builds on the positive rather than talking only about the negative

Things to listen for:

[02:50] The impact football had on Darius’ journey

[05:47] Working to put yourself out of business

[09:49] Realizing you DO have the resources to get started

[11:39] Getting started by looking at your community

[13:27] Track your successes and celebrate them

[17:11] Advice for avoiding burnout

[20:26] The importance of doing things for the right reasons

[25:24] Being Intentional around expansion

[27:00] Learning from the mistakes and the successes of others

[32:45] Growing your organization with humility

[34:43] Focusing the narrative on the positives

[40:24] Showing up authentically when asking for major gifts

[46:06] Start organized, stay organized